Wildcats surge late to claim Territorial Cup as ASU’s offense falters

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - In a game packed with postseason implications and nearly a century of history behind it, Arizona and Arizona State met Friday night for the 99th Territorial Cup and it was the Wildcats who walked out of Mountain America Stadium celebrating.

Arizona scored 20 straight points in the second half to beat ASU, 23-7, snapping the Sun Devils' hopes of sneaking into the Big 12 title game and sending Tucson fans home happy.

Both teams entered with matching 8-3 records and CFP rankings No. 25 for Arizona, No. 20 for ASU giving the rivalry added weight.

The energy outside the stadium reflected that. Sun Devil families predicted a close battle, while some Wildcat fans arrived confident their team would make a statement. And when the final whistle blew, it was Arizona that delivered on its promise.

For ASU, the night opened with promise. The Sun Devils managed a 7-3 halftime lead despite a sluggish offensive start, thanks largely to a defensive unit that kept the Wildcats scoreless on three early red-zone trips.

Arizona fumbled inside the ASU 10 and missed two field goals, giving the Sun Devils every chance to build momentum.

But ASU's offense never found a rhythm. The Sun Devils recorded just 214 total yards and turned the ball over five times, three interceptions and two fumbles. Quarterback Jeff Sims accounted for four of those giveaways, continuing a late-season trend that has haunted ASU down the stretch.

Those mistakes eventually caught up with them. Arizona controlled the ball for more than 40 minutes and ran 89 plays, wearing down a Sun Devil defense that spent most of the night on the field. For a team that prided itself on toughness and timely stops, the imbalance became too much to overcome.

"We've come a long way as a program, but this one hurts," ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham told reporters afterward. "When you turn it over like that, especially in this game, it's hard to survive it."

After settling for just three points in the first half, Arizona's offense found its rhythm after the break. Sustained drives, smart play-calling, and continued defensive pressure flipped the game entirely. The Wildcats capitalized on short fields, cashed in off turnovers, and methodically pulled away.

Arizona head coach Brent Brennan said the key was sticking to the week’s message.

"We talked about physicality and discipline all week, and I thought that showed up," Brennan said. "Our defense kept giving us chances, and once the offense got rolling in the second half, we played the kind of complementary football you need in a rivalry game."

Wildcat fans who made the trip north made themselves heard as the score grew. Many ASU fans headed for the exits early as Arizona's lead stretched into double digits.

For Arizona supporters, the win capped off a late-season surge. The Wildcats entered the night riding a four-game winning streak and extended it to five, pushing their resume for a strong bowl placement.

Despite the disappointment in Tempe, ASU closes its regular season at 8-4 its second straight eight-win campaign under Dillingham, a feat the program hasn't achieved in more than a decade. The Sun Devils will now wait for their bowl assignment, with possibilities ranging from Las Vegas to the Sun Bowl or Alamo Bowl.

Arizona’s bowl picture remains just as intriguing. At 9-3, the Wildcats put themselves in position for one of the Pac-12's top remaining postseason slots and will enter December with momentum few expected earlier in the year.

This year's Territorial Cup may have belonged to Arizona, but both programs end November with winning records, passionate fanbases behind them, and meaningful football still ahead.