As with most controversies on this list, there are two sides to the story. But regardless of which one is true, both sides agree that there was a uniform debacle before the 1982 Duel in the Desert in Tucson.

Rather than coming to the field in their typical dark home colors, the Wildcats dressed in their all-white uniforms for the ‘82 game against the Sun Devils. Arizona Daily Star columnist Greg Hansen said the decision was made by then-UA head coach Larry Smith, who wanted the Wildcats to wear their white unis since they had beaten several top-tier teams earlier in the season in those same colors.

But UA All-American linebacker LaMonte Hunley, who played in the ‘82 game, tells a different tale. He contends that the Devils actually brought the wrong uniforms – their home jerseys – down to Tucson. As such, the Wildcats were forced to switch to their white jerseys before the game.

Whether it was an act of sportsmanship by one school or the other, the Wildcats proceeded to defeat ASU 28-18 that night, preventing the Sun Devils from reaching what would have been their first-ever Rose Bowl, and beginning a nine-game UA undefeated streak in the rivalry that would become known as simply “The Streak.”

Territorial quote:

“They told us to bring our maroon jerseys for some reason, and they were going to wear their white uniforms, which never happened. You always wore your home jerseys with your dark colors.”

-ASU quarterback Todd Hons (1981-83)

Shane Dale is the author “Territorial: The History of the Duel in the Desert.“