By the numbers: ASU breaks Territorial Cup points record vs. Arizona
Dec 11, 2020, 11:17 PM
Arizona State's D.J. Taylor (9) scores a touchdown against Arizona on a kick return during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 11, 2020, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
The Territorial Cup remains in Tempe after a historic showing from the Arizona State Sun Devils.
ASU put the pedal to the metal in the team’s 70-7 victory over the hosting Arizona Wildcats on Friday, using a one-two punch of its stout defense and impressive running game to their advantage throughout the evening.
From the opening kickoff to the final whistle, the Sun Devils were in total control of their in-state rival, posting godly numbers and etching their names in the Territorial Cup record book along the way.
So without further ado, a look at the some of the eye-popping stats from the 94th installment of the Territorial Cup.
70
Let’s start with the most obvious. The Sun Devils’ offensive output is the most points scored in Territorial Cup history. The team’s 42 points at the half were also a Territorial Cup record.
The total marks the sixth time ASU has scored at least 50 points against Arizona, with three coming in the last decade (2013, 2015, 2020).
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It’s also the first time the Sun Devils have reached 70 points since 1969 against Colorado State.
4
The victory marked the third straight win for head coach Herm Edwards and the fourth in as many years for the Sun Devils. It’s the first time the team has taken four consecutive wins over Arizona since 1975-78.
93
Junior running back Rachaad White contributed to one of the many highlight-reel plays on Friday night in the second quarter with a 93-yard touchdown run.
The 93-yard scamper ties for the fifth-longest from scrimmage in program history. It was also the first time a Sun Devil has had a at least 70 yards on a single run since Kalen Ballage’s 2016 effort against Texas Tech.
White ended the evening with 133 yards and three scores, both game highs, on 10 carries. He was named the Bob Moran MVP of the game for his performance.
Triple 7s
ASU’s defense proved to be too much for Arizona’s offense, intercepting three passes and recovering four fumbles Friday night.
The Sun Devils have forced four or more turnovers in three of their last four games dating back to last season.
Additionally, seven represents the among of rushing touchdowns the Sun Devils scored.
The number also stands for the amount of points the Wildcats scored.
56 = 14
It took less than a minute for the Sun Devils to find pay dirt against the Wildcats.
Freshman D.J. Taylor was the first to score for ASU, taking the opening kickoff from inside the end zone for the touchdown.
The score was the first opening kick returned for a touchdown since Jamal Miles did it against Washington State in 2011. It was also the first ASU kick return for a touchdown since 2015.
Literally seconds later, DeaMonte “Chip” Trayanum turned a fumble into points with a four-yard touchdown run.
The two touchdowns in the first minute of the Territorial Cup was only the third time any school has done so since 1996.
21
The Sun Devils score 21 points in all but the fourth quarter.
ASU hadn’t scored more than 14 points in a quarter in the its other two games this season.
13
ASU’s offense threw just 13 passes between quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Trent Bourguet.
The passing game was still rather effective, completing 10 of the 13 throws (76.9%) for 221 yards and two touchdowns.
