Territorial Cup between ASU, Arizona just 1 of many Pac-12 in-state rivalries
Nov 25, 2021, 4:30 PM | Updated: Nov 26, 2021, 11:55 am
Running back DeaMonte Trayanum #1 of the Arizona State Sun Devils rushes the football against linebacker Anthony Pandy #8 of the Arizona Wildcats during the second half of the NCAAF game at Arizona Stadium on December 11, 2020 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
On Saturday, the latest installment of the Territorial Cup is scheduled to take place between the Arizona State Sun Devils and Arizona Wildcats.
The rivalry is easily the first game fans from both sides circle in red ink when the schedules are first revealed.
Those in the Copper State aren’t the only ones in the Pac-12 that take it up a notch for rivalry week, however.
Five major in-state rivalries highlight the conference of champions, each coming with their own unique hardware.
In honor of the Duel in the Desert, let’s take a look at the five in-state rivalries:
Pac-12 in-state rivalries
Territorial Cup
Teams: Arizona State Sun Devils vs. Arizona Wildcats
Trophy: The Territorial Cup is silver plated over Britannia base metal and is certified by the NCAA as the oldest rivalry trophy in college football. The trophy went missing for 80 years before it was found in a church basement in 1980.
Year started: 1899
Series record: Arizona leads 49-44-1
Most recent results: The Sun Devils have won the past four meetings, the previous three coming under head coach Herm Edwards. In 2020, ASU boat-raced Arizona 70-7 behind 259 rushing yards and 10 total team touchdowns. A Sun Devils win in 2021 would give the team its fifth straight victory over the Wildcats for only the third time in the rivalry’s history, the last being ASU’s longest win streak in the series from 1965-73.
2021 matchup: Saturday at ASU
Apple Cup
Teams: Washington Huskies vs. Washington State Cougars
Trophy: The Apple Cup trophy features an apple at the top of the award and has a wood base that is metal-plated with the rivalry’s history. It was first awarded in 1962 and is presented by the state governor after the game to the winning team.
Year started: 1900
Series record: Washington leads 74-32-6
Most recent results: The 2020 edition of the Apple Cup was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. The two coaches of those teams — UW’s Jimmy Lake and WSU’s Nick Rolovich — were in their first years leading their respective programs. They have been fired this year, meaning they will not have coached in the series. The Huskies have won the last seven meetings between the two, dating back to 2013. In 2019, Washington used three rushing touchdowns in its 31-13 win over WSU. The Cougars have won just three times since 2006.
2021 matchup: Friday at WSU
Big Game
Teams: Stanford Cardinal vs. California Golden Bears
Trophy: The “Axe” was first used in 1933 and is a large red axe with a broken handle. Below it reads the game’s history between the two Northern California schools.
Year started: 1900
Series record: Stanford leads 60-45-10
Most recent results: Just last week, Cal pummeled Stanford 41-11 after postponing their prior week’s game against USC and missing 20 players a week before that in a 10-3 loss to Arizona — the Wildcats’ only win through 11 games this year — due to a COVID-19 outbreak. Golden Bears quarterback Chase Garbers hit Trevon Clark for an 84-yard touchdown in the second quarter to break a 0-0 tie, and that play set a record for the longest touchdown reception in the rivalry’s history. The game went mostly in Cal’s favor from there.
2021 matchup: Saturday, Nov. 20: Cal 41, Stanford 11
OSU vs. UO (Formerly the Civil War)
Teams: Oregon State Beavers vs. Oregon Ducks
Trophy: The Platypus trophy is made out of maple and was created in 1959 for the rivalry. It was lost from 1960-86 but made a return in following the 2007 game in which OSU defeated Oregon.
Year started: 1894
Series record: Oregon leads 65–50–10
Most recent results: After winning just once over the past 12 seasons, the Beavers were victorious in 2020. It was a high-scoring affair with OSU’s running game leading the way with four touchdowns, highlighted by Jermar Jackson’s 226-yard and two-score effort.
2021 matchup: Saturday at Oregon
Victory Bell
(Twitter Photo/@USC_Athletics)
Teams: UCLA Bruins vs. USC Trojans
Trophy: The Victory Bell weighs 295 pounds and was originally used on a locomotive. It has been mounted to a wheeled carriage and is painted the color of the winning school every time it changes hands.
Year started: 1929
Series record: USC leads 49-33-7
Most recent results: Bruins quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson threw interceptions on his first two passes last Saturday, but his team scored on eight of the next 10 drives. In the second quarter, Thompson-Robinson took a four-yard run for a score, signed a young fan’s hat and then drew a penalty flag for it, but that hardly mattered with USC’s defense allowing 609 yards of offense. Kelly may have secured his job status this year, while USC took the loss looking for a permanent replacement for Clay Helton, who was fired earlier this year. Interim Donte Williams coached the Trojans in the rivalry loss.
2021 matchup: Saturday, Nov. 20: UCLA 62, USC 33
