Territorial Cup Travels Back to Tempe After 42-30 Devil Victory

Mike Stockman
Phoenix Area Sports

TEMPE, AZ (November 25, 2017) - On a beautiful Arizona fall afternoon with the temperature hitting 84 degrees, the Arizona State University Sun Devils came from behind in an exciting, high scoring, hard hitting rival game to defeat the Arizona Wildcats 42-30 in what is recognized as the nation's oldest rivalry trophy game, the Territorial Cup, on Saturday, November 25, at Sun Devil Stadium. 

N'Keal Harry had two touchdown catches in the win. 

59,385 fans from all over the state filled the stadium and would not leave until the

last play was finished and the 00's filled the clock, knowing that for the last five years the precious trophy went to the home team.  

This was also Seniors Day in which 19 Devils were recognized with their families and close friends for the contribution, hard work, and perseverance they endured for the last few seasons. 

Once the game started, fans were treated to four full quarters. The Wildcats got off to a 14 point lead on back to back drives that ended on one yard touchdown runs in the first quarter.

With just over 4 minutes left in the first quarter, the Devils' Kyle Williams scored on an 18 yard pass reception making the score 14-7.

After first quarter, the Wildcats had 111 total offense to the Sun Devils' 91.  The Wildcats' QB Tate was 6-6-0 for 62 yards to Wilkins' 4-3-0 65 yards.

The second quarter started with the Devils sacking Tate for a loss. However, the next play he scrambled for 17 yards and the first down. With 9:36 left in the half, Arizona kicked a 24 yard field goal, extending the lead to 17-7 over the hosting Devils.

On the following drive, the Devils scampered down the field and finished on the Devils' Kalan Ballage flight over the line for a one yard touchdown, making the score 17-14.

Just before the end of the half, the Wildcats' JJ Taylor sprinted 15 yards up the middle for a touchdown, extending the lead 24-14.

The Wildcats had 251 yards on 40 plays to Devils' 167 yards on 30 plays in the first half. The Devils' QB Wilkins was sacked three times to Tate's one.

After the Devils block a punt early in the third quarter, Richard scored on a pounding one yard run. The Wildcats lead was cut to 24-21.

Demario Richard (Sr) became the fifth Sun Devil to reach 3,000 yards on the ground at ASU. He finished the night with 165 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

With Tate injured on the last plays of the second quarter, the backup QB Dawkins threw an interception his first series, allowing Devils to drive inside the 20 yard line. A spectacular catch in the corner of end zone by NKeal Harry gave the Devils their first lead of the game 28-24.

Before the third quarter was over, Richard scored his second touchdown on a 6 yard run, giving a lead 35-24 over the Wildcats.

Not a seat was empty as the fourth quarter got underway. Backup QB for the Wildcats' Dawkins made up for his interception when he scrambled 50 yards for a TD, cutting the Devils' lead and quieting the student sections until the extra point attempt in which the fans in the south end zone helped out the defense with extra noise causing the two conversion to fail.

With less than five minutes left, the Devils receiver Harry showed his toe tapping skills once more in the corner of the end zone with a catch that put the Devils up 42-30, the final score.

After the game, Coach Todd Graham spoke highly of the seniors, the staff, and would not take any question on the future of his position as the head coach of the Devils. Sunday morning Coach was released.

The Wildcats end their season with a 7-5, 5-4 Pac12 record. They will be heading to the Las Vegas Holiday Bowl.

The Devils, 7-5, 6-3 finished the season 2nd in the Pac12 South, have an invitation to the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas on Dec 29, 2017.