Former UA quarterback D.J. Benker exits the field after UA's defeat to ASU on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013. The Sun Devils defeated UA 58-21 and clinched a home field advantage for the Pac-12 championship. (Photo by Dominic Valente)Coach Todd Graham is preparing for his third "Duel in the Desert" and knows how important the game is every year, but especially this year.
"This game is the single most important game every year for us and for our fans," Graham said. "Obviously it has a lot more meaning with both teams going for their 10th win and a Pac-12 South championship on the line, so it adds a little extra to it."
Graham noted that when he talks to fans, winning this game is the most important thing in their minds and he has taken that to heart and made it one of the team's main goals every year.
"When I came here I got the opportunity to go out and got to speak to all of our fans and they told me that's the single most important thing," Graham said. "So for our program and for our players every year, that's number one on our priority list is winning this game."
Redshirt senior safety Damarious Randall echoed Graham, saying that this is the most important game of the season for the Sun Devils.
"Every game is a must-win game, but, I mean, obviously this game is really a must-win," Randall said. "This is for the Territorial Cup and for all the marbles."
Graham's first experience in the rivalry was in Tucson in a 41-34 ASU win. He said that he loves the atmosphere around rivalry games and the intensity of this one.
"I love that, I love rivalries, but I don't love getting some of the stuff I get (from fans)," Graham said. "College football is about the pageantry and I think the rivalries, and none more intense than this one."
Graham said that, while trash talking is a huge part of rivalries, his players need to keep their concentration and not get caught up in any potential distractions.
"I think the key in this game is not getting too emotional and that's something I've talked about every year," Graham said. "Someone asked me the other day, 'does that bother you?' Well it doesn't make you feel good about yourself. It's not something I recommend to anybody. Sometimes I get a little chuckle. Some of them are pretty creative."
Additional Notes:
-Offensive coordinator Mike Norvell said he expects redshirt junior wide receiver Jaelen Strong to play Friday. Strong missed last week's game with a concussion.
-Randall said he is thankful for his teammates and his favorite Thanksgiving food is his mom's stuffing, which he requested that she send out to him.
Reach the reporter at mtonis@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @Tonis_The_Tiger
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