Arizona RB Michael Wiley runs wild over ASU in Territorial Cup win
Nov 25, 2022, 5:17 PM
Running back Michael Wiley #6 of the Arizona Wildcats rushes the football en route to scoring a 51-yard rushing touchdown against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first half of the NCAAF game at Arizona Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Tucson, Arizona. This year's game is the 96th annual Territorial Cup match between Arizona rival schools. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Arizona State football did not have much of an answer for the Arizona running game Friday, as tailback Michael Wiley ran all over the Sun Devils in a 38-35 victory.
Wiley picked up 214 yards on the ground, the second most by a player in the rivalry game’s history (Trung Candidate had 288 in 1998).
He did so on only 12 carries for an average of 17.8 yards per rush.
The junior got the scoring started with a 51-yard house call in the first quarter. He broke one tackle near the line of scrimmage and went untouched the rest of the way. That rush was a prelude to what loomed for Wiley on a three-touchdown day.
Michael Wiley to the house!
📺: @FS1
📱: https://t.co/SIh97H9Qhh #Pac12FB | @ArizonaFBall pic.twitter.com/GG86BAMOze— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) November 25, 2022
Wiley finished a 12-yard rush in the end zone in the third quarter to give Arizona a 24-21 lead. On Arizona’s next drive, he booked an option run up the middle for a 72-yard touchdown, and the Wildcats took a 31-21 advantage.
MICHAEL WILEY ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!
72 YARD TD TO THE HOUSE FOR HIS 3RD TODAY!!!! 👀👀👀
📺: @FS1#TerritorialCup pic.twitter.com/6YufL58Esl
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) November 25, 2022
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His college-high for rushing yards entering the game was 122 back in 2019. He did not break 100 rushing yards in a game this season before Friday.
Overall, Arizona gained 280 yards on the ground, continuing ASU’s struggles against the ground game from last week’s loss to Oregon State (154 rushing yards). The Wildcats picked up 10 yards per rush as a team.
Arizona’s rushing attack helped the school finish the year 5-7 and snap a five-game losing streak vs. ASU.
The Sun Devils head into the offseason after a 3-9 campaign.
