Arizona-ASU Game 17: Wildcats and fans put up a fight at 1937 season opener

For Tucson football fans, Arizona’s 1937 season opener offered an early reminder of how much the rivalry with Tempe could stir a crowd. A capacity audience of 7,500 packed Varsity Stadium as the Wildcats defeated the Teachers, 20-6, in the 17th meeting between the two programs. The game became part of the long series now known as the Territorial Cup rivalry, which Arizona leads 52-46-1 entering the 100th matchup between the schools.

The crowd saw Arizona rely on a powerful ground attack, particularly during the second and third quarters. Coach Tex Oliver used the running game to wear down Tempe, and the Wildcats finished with 299 yards from scrimmage and 16 first downs. The Teachers managed only two first downs and gained 89 yards, while losing 34 more through plays that moved backward. Arizona’s defense kept control for most of the evening, allowing only one significant scoring play.

The central figure in Arizona’s performance was Bronko Smilanich, whose running repeatedly broke open the Tempe defense. He gained 102 yards, more than one third of the Wildcats’ total yardage, and averaged slightly more than 10 yards per carry. Early in the second quarter, he burst 20 yards through right tackle to launch Arizona’s first scoring drive. Smilanich then continued the push, carrying the ball to the Tempe three yard line in three additional attempts.

Walter “Hoss” Nielsen finished that drive by plunging across the goal line. His attempt to add a point by placement kick was unsuccessful, leaving Arizona with a 6-0 lead. Smilanich had produced 51 of the 58 yards on the drive, giving the Wildcats the field position and momentum they needed to take command.

Arizona’s second touchdown came in the third quarter after Smilanich and Clarence Ross combined on one of the game’s most memorable plays. Smilanich sprinted 15 yards before lateraling to Ross, a fullback from Chisholm, Minnesota. Arizona then used a series of straight power plays to reach the one yard line, where Carl Cooper carried the ball into the end zone. Nielsen converted the placement try, moving the score to 13-0.

The Wildcats added another touchdown after George French, playing left end, recovered a Tempe fumble on the Teachers’ 32 yard line. Smilanich again supplied the major gain, racing 29 yards down the right sideline before being forced out at the three. Nielsen completed the drive with another short plunge and then kicked the extra point. Arizona had built a 20-0 advantage, and the home crowd appeared ready to celebrate a shutout.

The fourth quarter instead brought confusion, a fight and Tempe’s only touchdown. Feriss Hardin, Arizona’s 150 pound left halfback, intercepted a pass and ran it into the end zone, prompting loud cheers from the crowd. Officials ruled out the play, however, after announcing that one Arizona player and one Tempe player had been ejected for fighting. On the next play, Warren Fritsch broke from a collision at center, avoided the defensive backs and safety, and ran 47 yards untouched for the Teachers’ score.

Fritsch’s run was the lone sustained highlight for the visitors, whose backfield also featured Van Hoorebeke. Tempe’s defensive standouts included Kalastro, Rockwell, Setka and Palmer. For Arizona, Sid Woods, a Yuma player who started at left halfback, gained 28 yards on four carries. Ross and Nielsen shared the fullback duties and each averaged five yards per attempt. Fred Erdhaus, a transfer playing end, showed promise on both sides of the ball, repeatedly breaking into the backfield to disrupt Tempe plays.

Arizona’s depth also shaped the game. Oliver put 38 Wildcats into action, using nearly everyone available on the bench. The team did have problems late, fumbling twice and giving away two opportunities to score. Tempe held the advantage in punting, averaging 35 and one half yards on eight kicks compared with Arizona’s 25 and one half yards on three. Still, those shortcomings did little to change the overall picture. The Wildcats controlled the line of scrimmage, and their defense did not give way until Fritsch’s fourth quarter dash.

The matchup attracted interest beyond the Tucson crowd. Scouts from Oklahoma Aggie and Texas Tech watched from the press box, diagramming Arizona’s plays. At halftime, the Arizona and Tempe bands entertained the stadium with music and marching formations. For the Wildcats and their supporters, the opener was both a convincing win and a showcase for the running attack Oliver was building. Decades later, the game remains one entry in a rivalry that has not been played every year, but has grown into one of Arizona college football’s defining annual traditions.