Last season, Wildcat running back Michael Wiley scored right before halftime giving the University of Arizona a 38-7 lead over ASU going into halftime during the Territorial Cup in Tempe.
Quarterback Noah Fifita finished the game with a record-breaking 527 yards and put down the Sun Devils 59-23. Despair and sorrow filled the Sun Devils' sideline, as they watched the Wildcat players celebrate on ASU turf in a blowout loss.
That would solidify a second straight 3-9 season for the Sun Devils.
Now at the end of the 2024 regular season, ASU entered the 98th Territorial Cup on a four-game win streak. "ASU" chants could be heard all over Arizona Stadium from Sun Devils fans who had invaded the enemy territory in Tucson.
ASU (10-2) defeated UA (4-8) 49-7 in one of the biggest games of the year for the Sun Devils. Alongside the in-state rivalry, a trip to the Big 12 Championship was on the line.
"It's remarkable," ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham said. "The turnaround that those guys and that leadership and that group have been able to do in one year — it's a special group, and we should all cherish it."
Sixty newcomers wore maroon and gold for the first time this season, meaning just a few on the roster experienced the beatdown they endured last year. But, with the energy and focus the team had, it seemed like they'd all been there.
Dillingham worked all week to ensure his players understood what this rivalry meant, and with the level of execution the team came out with, it seemed that message got across.
"It was fun to go out there and put it to them," ASU redshirt freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt said. "Especially after what they did to us last year, I wasn't a part of that, but I'm glad I could be a part of this."
The ASU offense came out hot, as its first four offensive possessions all resulted in touchdowns. It was a quick 28-0 Sun Devil lead — and the team didn't look back.
Three touchdowns came from star senior running back Cam Skattebo, marking the second straight week the back achieved a hat trick in the first half. Skattebo has embodied everything Dillingham has preached about, simply loving the game of football.
"Everybody on this team cares," redshirt junior defensive back Xavion Alford said. "From the coaches all the way down to players and training staff. Everybody cares about each other. Everybody cares about winning. We don't care about what the outside world says about us."
A player who personifies that mindset is redshirt senior Trenton Bourguet, a Sun Devil through and through who has been with the program for six years. The attention to detail and passion is what has made him a program favorite among the coaches.
"I think everybody here understands what Trenton means to the program," Dillingham said. "I think (playing him) was common sense. That dude's done so much for the program."
The Tucson native was able to take the field in his last regular season game as a player, even completing a pass to his brother, redshirt junior receiver Coben Bourguet.
Trenton Bourget also found walk-on redshirt freshman receiver Derek Eusebio on a screen who seized the moment and took the pass in for a 64-yard touchdown. In a magical and unexpected season, the last passing touchdown of the regular season came from a player who has given his all to this program.
Dillingham understands what this game means to ASU fans. He's lived and breathed this rivalry since he was a child. Regardless, he's made sure that the players receive all the credit for the win, as they've executed his vision which has led to the Territorial Cup itself residing in Tempe for the next year.
"It's awesome because get back sucks," Skattebo said. "We planned that all year, that was our cup. That cup is going to stay in Phoenix for a long time."
Edited by Henry Smardo, Abigail Beck and Natalia Jarrett.
Reach the reporter at danielr1102@gmail.com and follow @daniel_rios72 on X.
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Daniel is a senior studying sports journalism. This is his first semester with The State Press. He has also worked at WCSN, OC Riptide, 1550 Sports and AZPreps365.
