TEMPE, Ariz.— Arizona State leads the Duel in the Desert at halftime in the battle for the Territorial Cup.

ASU started the game with a 13-play drive that resulted in a 38-yard field goal made by freshman Zane Gonzalez.

The Wildcats attempted to refute the 3-0 ASU lead but their first possession was not pretty. Their opening drive resulted in a delay of game penalty, followed by two sacks made to senior quarterback B.J. Denker, forcing them to give the ball up to ASU.

After the three and out, Arizona had a 12-yard punt that put the Sun Devils close to the red zone and they responded with another field goal from 21 yards, putting them 6-0.

Senior tight end Darwin Rogers scored the first Sun Devil touchdown from a 38-yard pass from junior quarterback Taylor Kelly and ASU led 13-0 at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter saw another ASU touchdown, and things started to look bleak for the Wildcats as they trailed 20-0.

ASU senior safety Alden Darby intercepted a pass and the Sun Devils scored yet again, leading 27-0 with 8:04 left in the half.

Denker was finally able to complete a one-yard touchdown run and the Wildcats had seven points with 4:14 left in the half.

Arizona put up a fight toward the end of the half but senior Jake Smith could not make the 42-yard field goal that would have put the Wildcats at 10 points.

ASU, however, completed a 23-yard field goal in its next drive that put the Sun Devils up 30-7.

Junior running back Ka’Deem Carey did not touch the ball until the eighth play, finishing with 62 rushing yards in the half.

ASU sophomore running back D.J. Foster has reached a career high 94 yards.

ASU junior quarterback Taylor Kelly had a solid first half, throwing for 194 yards.