Wildcats to wear copper helmets Saturday

Published Sep. 24, 2012 3:49 p.m. ET

foxsports

Arizona announced Monday that the team will wear its newly designed copper helmet, which was unveiled in May, for the first time Saturday at home against Oregon State in what will be dubbed "The Copper Game."

UA coach Rich Rodriguez made the announcement at his weekly press conference.

“We are going to break out the copper helmet for the Oregon State game," head coach Rich Rodriguez said. “It's not going to replace our school colors, but it is a tribute to the mining history in our state. The guys will wear them in practice Wednesday and Thursday to get used to the fit. We will let the seniors pick the jersey and pants combination.”

Arizona's football helmets have included a variety of designs over the years featuring the
colors red, white and blue. The newest helmet design, which will be worn on a limited basis only, highlights the color copper to pay tribute to the state's copper-mining history. Copper also has influenced architectural design on the University of Arizona campus, including its athletic facilities -- most notably the ring at the top of the McKale Center and the Lowell-Stevens Football Facility.

“We look forward to our fans coming out and supporting this exciting football team,” UA athletic director Greg Byrne said. “The Copper Game will be a unique opportunity for our fans and a game against an important Pac-12 opponent where the atmosphere will play another significant role in our home-field advantage.”