The University of Arizona football team (4-8, 2-7 in Big 12) hosted No. 16 ASU for the 98th Territorial Cup on Saturday, Nov. 30 at Arizona Stadium.
Arizona suffered a devastating 49-7 loss to the Sun Devils, closing its season. The Wildcats capped off this season on Senior Day as the stadium filled with a crowd of almost 50,000 people ready to celebrate what the student-athletes had accomplished.
Offense
The game began with ASU running back Cam Skattebo rushing up the middle to gain 3 yards for the Sun Devils as they continued to push back Arizona’s defense. Just moments later, Skattebo took a direct snap and scored a touchdown. Parker Lewis followed with a successful kick, securing a 7-0 lead for the Sun Devils.
The Wildcats responded with a few incomplete passes as Noah Fifita was unable to find Tetairoa McMillan. The completion of the first quarter highlighted the flaws in the Wildcats’ offense and defense as they were unable to protect the ball and endzone, giving up 2 touchdowns as ASU led 14-0.
After a false start penalty given to Arizona waived off a good field goal attempt by Tyler Loop, the Wildcats proceeded to miss a 55-yard kick. The Wildcats’ offense stayed quiet during the entirety of the first half as Arizona made attempts to score and complete passes but was not able to follow through. Notably, both programs had no turnovers in the first half.
ASU went into halftime leading 35-0 and gained 390 yards compared to Arizona’s 57.
Arizona put an end to its scoring drought coming out of halftime with Fifita completing a 16-yard pass to find McMillan who scored the only touchdown for the Wildcats. A successful extra point kick by Loop added to the Wildcats’ first points as Arizona continued to trail ASU 35-7. This score stood until the end of the third quarter.
Arizona got the ball back with 13:28 left in the fourth quarter, but Fifita was sacked by Elijah O’Neal, resulting in a loss of 8 yards for the Wildcats. Arizona wide receiver Devin Hyatt had to be carted off due to an ankle injury after a catch that secured the Wildcats a first down.
Ultimately, the Arizona offense did not find a way back as the Wildcats fell 49-7 to the Sun Devils.
Defense
Arizona’s defense was non-existent in the early minutes of the game. The Wildcats gave up an early touchdown to Skattebo who was able to score for the Sun Devils. Quarterback Sam Leavitt completed a 59-yard pass to Jordyn Tyson to open up another chance for ASU to score. Soon after, Skattebo was able to achieve a 2-yard rushing touchdown. The Sun Devils extended their lead 14-0 with 5:37 left in the first quarter.
ASU continued to decimate Arizona’s defense as the Sun Devils scored again in the first two minutes of the second quarter. Leavitt was able to complete a 13-yard pass to Tyson for another touchdown, capitalizing on the Sun Devils’ 21-0 lead.
Skattebo scored once again for ASU with 6:28 remaining in the first half to take a 28-0 lead, ruining any chance Arizona had of making a small comeback. With 46 seconds remaining in the second quarter, Leavitt found Chamon Metayer in the endzone for a complete 22-yard pass for the Sun Devils’ fifth touchdown. This allowed the Sun Devils to lead 35-0 going into halftime.
Almost seven minutes into the second half, Arizona forced the Sun Devils to attempt a 21-yard field goal which was no good after the ball hit the post. Arizona completed the third quarter with its only score of the game, 35-7.
Five seconds into the fourth quarter, ASU scored its sixth touchdown of the game as Xavier Guillory caught a 31-yard pass from Leavitt. The Sun Devils’ offense continued to shine as they extended their comfortable 42-7 lead.
Arizona’s defense came up with no answer for the offensive plays the Sun Devils came up with. ASU proceeded to gain its seventh touchdown of the game after former starting quarterback Trenton Bourguet threw a 64-yard pass that was caught by Derek Eusebio to lead 49-7. Ultimately, the Sun Devils won with a final score of 49-7, marking an end to the 98th Territorial Cup.
“It’s a lesson learned from, just like everything else in life. You know, you could either take that and lay down whether it be you know, playing the next level or staying here,” defensive lineman Tre Smith said. “You gotta keep going and you have a choice to make, so we’re going to swim, we’re not going to sink.”
Looking ahead
With this major loss marking the last game of the season, Arizona will be looking to prepare for the 2025 season, focusing on ways to improve and strengthen the roster as signing day is on Wednesday.
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