Arizona Stadium memories won't be forgotten

Nicholas Valenzuela Arizona Daily Wildcat Senior offensive tackle Jose Portilla (77) uses his hands to prevent Cal end Andre Carter (73) from getting to the backfield. Portilla is one of 24 seniors that was treated to Saturday's climatic overtime finish in their final game at Arizona Stadium.

"This bunch of guys is a special group because they really battle and work hard. I think every guy is going to graduate and I think that's the first time for Arizona," head coach Dick Tomey said. "They are just a great bunch of guys. The captains, Jimmy Sprotte, Rodney Williams and Rusty James, are three great examples of what we'd all want our sons to be."

In a pre-game ceremony, Arizona's 24 seniors were honored as they walked the field in their final appearance.

Williams, a wide receiver, was the last senior announced. As he strolled onto the field, his son, three-year-old Rodney Jr., hurried along beside him, holding his father's hand.

"Right now it hasn't really hit me," Williams said after the game. "When I was coming out I got real emotional and I started to cry because I knew this is it. It's coming to an end.

"I don't know what is going to happen with my career, but this is the last time playing in this stadium so I was real emotional."

The day before Williams' mother, Gail Barton, was to fly to Tucson, her doctor advised her back surgery was necessary. That didn't stop Barton and eight other family members from making the trip.

"I told my doctor if I had to crawl onto the field, I would be there," Barton said.

"(Being there) was wonderful. Naturally, we all cried. I knew it would be emotional for me because I hadn't been to any of his games in Tucson this season."

Williams planned to bring his son into the locker room after the game, but by 12:15 a.m. when the game finally came to a close, Rodney Jr. was sound asleep in his grandmother's arms.

He was awake, however, when Williams caught a pass for a 42-yard gain that set up the Wildcats' first touchdown.

Senior linebacker Chester Burnett, who was joined on the field by his mother before the game, finished his last home game with five tackles and one sack in limited action after being sidelined for part of the game with a possible concussion.

"I can't believe I'm not going to play here anymore because it's still all right here," Burnett said. "I'm still here, in my uniform. It's like I'll never have this blue jersey on again."

Other seniors are Joe Salave'a, Jimmy Sprotte, Rusty James, Charles Myles, Kevin Schmidtke, Tevete Usu, Mike Szlauko, Jeff Nadeau and Rashee Johnson.

Despite the night dedicated to the seniors, it was the young Wildcats who made many of the big plays.

"I'll tell you what, the Wildcats and coach Tomey are going to be a force to be reckoned with in the future, I promise you that," Burnett said. "I'm looking at some guys in practice that aren't even playing that are out there making plays. I wish my career wasn't over because there are going to be some great things to come.

"I'm just glad I'm going to be an alumni. I'm going to graduate, put the little alumni stickers on the back of my car and come out and cheer for these Cats wherever I'm at."