Sun Devils vs. Wildcats: A look back at Territorial Cup history
Nov 29, 2024, 7:10 AM
Running back Michael Wiley #6 of the Arizona Wildcats rushes the football 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)
Every time Arizona and Arizona State match up in the Territorial Cup, regardless of record for either team, it just matters.
The 2024 Territorial Cup sets up to be monumental in the rivals’ first season after leaving the Pac-12 for the Big 12. ASU can make the conference title game in 255 of 256 scenarios that include seven games and nine teams in the Big 12.
The favorites in the conference despite nine teams still in the running to win it, the Sun Devils just need to worry about a win. Either way, it’s been a remarkable turnaround for head coach Kenny Dillingham in his second year on the job.
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After all, Arizona State was picked in the Big 12 preseason media poll to finish last in the conference.
For Arizona, a disappointing season without bowl possibilities comes down to going off on the right note in head coach Brent Brennan’s first season. The Wildcats play in front of a home crowd that will likely watch its last game of receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who last week set the program record for receiving yards and is projected to become a first-round NFL Draft pick.
The Sun Devils and Wildcats meet up for a 1:30 p.m. MST kickoff in Tucson that will air on FOX, Arizona Sports, the Arizona Sports app and ArizonaSports.com.
Here’s a little thumbnail history of what this heated rivalry game has looked like since the two schools joined the Pac-10 in 1978 before their final game in the Pac-12 Saturday.
Territorial Cup history of Arizona, ASU between 1978-present
| Year | Site | ASU Record | UA Record | Score | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Tucson | 7-3 | 5-5 | ASU 18-17 | Sun Devils win 4th straight in rivalry |
| 1979 | Tempe | 6-4 | 5-4-1 | UA 27-24 | Brent Weber makes last-second field goal to lift Wildcats |
| 1980 | Tucson | 6-4 | 5-5 | ASU 44-7 | ASU stormed to 31-0 halftime lead |
| 1981 | Tempe | 8-2 (#18) | 6-4 | ASU 24-13 | Teams combine for 10 turnovers in rain-soaked game |
| 1982 | Tucson | 9-1 (#6) | 5-4-1 | UA 28-18 | Wildcats knock ASU out of Rose Bowl |
| 1983 | Tempe | 6-3-1 | 6-3-1 | UA 17-15 | UA’s Max Zendejas kicks GW 45-yard field goal as time expires |
| 1984 | Tucson | 5-5 | 6-4 | UA 16-10 | Max Zendejas kicks three field goals, including a 52-yarder |
| 1985 | Tempe | 8-2 | 7-3 | UA 16-13 | Max Zendejas’ 32-yd FG keeps ASU out of the Rose Bowl again |
| 1986 | Tucson | 9-0-1 (#4) | 7-2 (#14) | UA 34-17 | Wildcats ruin ASU’s undefeated season |
| 1987 | Tempe | 6-4 | 4-4-2 | Tie 24-24 | Dick Tomey opts to kick FG for tie; Wildcats end season with three ties |
| 1988 | Tucson | 6-4 | 6-4 | UA 28-18 | Ronald Veal hits Derek Hill on a 55-yard Hail Mary TD pass on last play of first half |
| 1989 | Tempe | 6-3-1 | 6-4 | UA 28-10 | Sun Devils take field in all gold uniforms |
| 1990 | Tucson | 4-5 | 6-4 | UA 21-17 | Bobby Roland preserves win by intercepting Paul Justin at UA 4-yard line with :30 left |
| 1991 | Tempe | 5-5 | 4-6 | ASU 37-14 | “The Streak” ends at 9; Larry Marmie’s final game as ASU coach |
| 1992 | Tucson | 5-5 | 6-3-1 (#16) | ASU 7-6 | Kevin Galbreath’s 51-yd TD run in 4th qtr gives ASU win |
| 1993 | Tempe | 6-4 | 8-2 (#19) | UA 34-20 | Dan White throws three second-half touchdowns |
| 1994 | Tucson | 3-7 | 7-3 | UA 28-27 | Wildcats rally from 27-15 deficit in fourth quarter; Jon Baker misses last-second field goal |
| 1995 | Tempe | 6-4 | 5-5 | UA 31-28 | Wildcats score 17 unanswered points in fourth quarter; Jon Prasuhn’s last-second field goal wins it |
| 1996 | Tucson | 10-0 (#4) | 5-5 | ASU 56-14 | ASU completes perfect regular season |
| 1997 | Tempe | 8-2 (#17) | 5-5 | UA 28-16 | Ortege Jenkins throws three first-half TD passes |
| 1998 | Tucson | 5-5 | 10-1 (#7) | UA 50-42 | Trung Canidate runs for 288 yards and 3 TDs |
| 1999 | Tempe | 5-5 | 5-5 | ASU 42-27 | Backfield tandem of J.R. Redmond and Delvon Flowers leads ASU to 226 rushing yards |
| 2000 | Tucson | 5-5 | 5-5 | ASU 30-17 | Sun Devils force three turnovers; Terrell Suggs scores def. TD; Mike Barth scores on fake FG |
| 2001 | Tempe | 4-6 | 4-6 | UA 34-21 | Wildcats take 20-0 lead after first quarter; Clarence Farmer 158 yards rushing and one TD |
| 2002 | Tucson | 7-5 | 4-7 | ASU 34-20 | Mike Williams runs for 162 yards and four TDs |
| 2003 | Tempe | 4-7 | 2-9 | ASU 28-7 | Andrew Walter throws for 281 yards and three touchdowns |
| 2004 | Tucson | 8-2 (#18) | 2-8 | UA 34-27 | Richard Kovalchek throws for three scores, ASU commits five turnovers |
| 2005 | Tempe | 5-5 | 3-7 | ASU 23-20 | Terry Richardson 71-yard punt return TD; Jess Ainsworth kicks GW 20-yard FG with :09 left |
| 2006 | Tucson | 6-5 | 6-5 | ASU 28-14 | Rudy Carpenter throws three TD passes; Wildcats gain only 168 total yards |
| 2007 | Tempe | 9-2 (#13) | 5-6 | ASU 20-17 | Rudy Carpenter throws two touchdown passes |
| 2008 | Tucson | 5-6 | 6-5 | UA 31-10 | Willie Tuitama throws for 284 yards and two scores; ASU only 162 total yards |
| 2009 | Tempe | 4-7 | 7-4 | UA 20-17 | Kyle Williams muffs fourth-quarter punt; Alex Zendejas kicks GW FG with no time left |
| 2010 | Tucson | 5-6 | 7-4 | ASU 30-29 (2OT) | James Brooks blocks two extra points to preserve ASU win |
| 2011 | Tempe | 6-4 | 2-8 | UA 31-27 | Backup QB Bryson Beirne hits Juron Criner on GW TD with 5:18 left |
| 2012 | Tucson | 6-5 | 7-4 | ASU 41-34 | Sun Devils explode for 24 points in the fourth quarter |
| 2013 | Tempe | 9-2 (#13) | 7-4 | ASU 58-21 | D.J. Foster runs for 124 yards and 2 TDs, Jaelen Strong tallies 142 receiving yards and a TD |
| 2014 | Tucson | 9-2 (#13) | 9-2 (#11) | UA 42-35 | Nick Wilson runs for 178 yards and three TDs as the Wildcats win the game and the Pac-12 South |
| 2015 | Tempe | 5-5 | 6-5 | ASU 52-37 | Late Arizona rally is thwarted by pair of fourth-quarter pick sixes from Kareem Orr and Lloyd Carrington |
| 2016 | Tucson | 5-6 | 2-9 | UA 56-35 | Arizona rushes for a school-record 511 yards and does not throw a pass in the second half |
| 2017 | Tempe | 6-5 | 7-4 | ASU 42-30 | The Sun Devils outscored their rivals 28-6 in the second half for the final win of the Todd Graham era |
| 2018 | Tucson | 6-5 | 5-6 | ASU 41-40 | ASU erases 19-point deficit in 4th quarter, Wildcats K Josh Pollack missed a 45-yard FG with 11 seconds left |
| 2019 | Tempe | 6-5 | 4-7 | ASU 24-14 | Sun Devils RB Eno Benjamin dominated with 168 yards rushing and 2 TDs |
| 2020 | Tucson | 0-2 | 0-4 | ASU 70-7 | ASU runs for 259 yards and scores 10 total touchdowns in Kevin Sumlin’s last game as Wildcats head coach |
| 2021 | Tempe | 7-3 | 1-9 | ASU, 38-15 | Amid a recruiting scandal, the Sun Devils end the year with a win for head coach Herm Edwards, whose AD confirms he will retain his job into 2022 following the game |
| 2022 | Tucson | 3-8 | 4-7 | UA, 38-35 | ASU is led by interim coach Shaun Aguano and Tucson-grown QB Trenton Bourguet. The Sun Devils allow 265 total yards and 3 scores to Wildcat RB Michael Wiley |
| 2023 | Tempe | 3-8 | 8-3 | UA, 59-23 | Arizona gets 527 passing yards and five TDs from QB Noah Fifita, and 266 of those yards to WR Tetairoa McMillan. |
