ARIZONA STATE FOOTBALL

Graham on Territorial Cup: ‘It’s not more deep rooted than this one’

Nov 22, 2017, 9:29 AM | Updated: 11:22 am

(AP Photo/Ryan Kang)...

(AP Photo/Ryan Kang)

(AP Photo/Ryan Kang)

Dating back to 2009, Arizona State has become accustomed to either winning the Territorial Cup or coming up just short.

Until last year.

The Arizona Wildcats put together a convincing 56-35 win against ASU, a game where they had a 28-7 lead midway through the second quarter and never looked back in a second half where they didn’t even attempt a pass. It capped off Graham’s worst season and tied for the worst lost to the Wildcats since 2008.

A year later, the schools have put together surprising seasons after many speculated they would fill out the bottom of the Pac-12 South standings.

Graham knows this is the game that can determine how he and everyone in the program will be judged.

“One of the things that you are measured by at Arizona State is whether you get it done in this game or not,” Graham said. “They are obviously very aware that we didn’t get it done last year.  We don’t obviously want to be on that side of it.” 

Graham has come out victorious three times in five meetings against Arizona and has not lost the Territorial Cup at home.

In the beginning stages of Graham’s gig at Arizona State, he recalls being taken aback during speaking engagements when the topic of the rivalry arose. While promoting his program, he found that everyone put an emphasis on the Territorial Cup.

“When I first talked to (former ASU running back) Whizzer White, within five seconds of the conversation, ‘talk about this game,'” Graham said. “Met (former coach) Frank Kush the night I got hired; first thing he talks about. ‘You better mark this one.’

“Until you come up short in this game, you don’t really realize how much it means. You find out in a hurry.”

In Graham’s tenure, ASU has a +31 point margin facing Arizona. The Sun Devils won two home games against the Wildcats with a 52-37 victory in 2015 and a 58-21 win in 2013.

Of course, when it comes to rivalry games, sometimes you have to throw away any trends.

“It’s not more deep rooted than this one as far as the passion that people have about this game,” Graham said. “If you look at all the records for these games, you can throw it out. That day it’s the team that brings it and the team that wants it the most, and it has two major factors … turnover ratio and explosive plays.” 

The Territorial Cup will be in Tempe on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. You can catch the action on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station. 

Arizona State Football

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: What is Bobby Hurley’s future at Arizona State?

On the latest State of the Sun Devil podcast the guys react to the end of men's basketball season, and wonder what the future of the program will be and how the offseason will unfold. Plus, reactions to football's pro day.

4 days ago

ASU football field...

Dan Bickley

Arizona State reaches rock bottom at end of Pac-12 stay

Rock bottom is mostly a metaphor, a cliché for sports teams that have fallen and can’t get up. But you can find it on the map at ASU.

4 days ago

Michael Crow, Arizona State University president...

Kevin Zimmerman

Now would be a good time for Arizona State to hire an athletic director

Who's to make a decision on Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley without an athletic director? Michael Crow must make a decision soon.

5 days ago

ASU QB Drew Pyne...

Arizona Sports

Former ASU starting QB Drew Pyne headed to Missouri

After playing in just two games in his ASU football career, quarterback Drew Pyne is moving on to the Missouri Tigers.

9 days ago

Sparky's Fairway at Mountain America Stadium...

Tyler Drake

Sparky’s Fairway golf takes over Arizona State’s Mountain America Stadium

ASU's Mountain America Stadium is trading in its hash marks for yardage markers as Sparky's Fairway takes center stage beginning Thursday.

12 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: What does Arizona State men’s basketball need to do against Bronny James and USC?

On the latest edition of State of the Sun Devils, the guys discuss what Arizona State men's basketball needs to do next.

14 days ago

Graham on Territorial Cup: ‘It’s not more deep rooted than this one’