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By the Numbers: Breaking down the Arizona Football win over ASU

By Eric Townsend

TUCSON, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 25: Linebacker Jacob Manu #59 of the Arizona Wildcats reaches for the Territorial Cup with teammates after defeating the Arizona State Sun Devils 38-35 in NCAAF game at Arizona Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Tucson, Arizona. This year's game is the 96th annual Territorial Cup match between Arizona rival schools. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TUCSON, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 25: Linebacker Jacob Manu #59 of the Arizona Wildcats reaches for the Territorial Cup with teammates after defeating the Arizona State Sun Devils 38-35 in NCAAF game at Arizona Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Tucson, Arizona. This year's game is the 96th annual Territorial Cup match between Arizona rival schools. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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With Arizona Football ending its season 5-7 (3-6), we break down the numbers in the Wildcats’ 38-35 win over Arizona State. 

Ending the 2022 season with a much-needed win over rival Arizona State, Arizona Football finally the Territorial Cup has returned home to its rightful place in Tucson.

Playing in front of a sparsely-populated Arizona crowd, the Wildcats gained 480 yards of offense, scored 38 points, and forced five ASU turnovers.

As a result, Arizona saw its first win in six years against those guys up north, beating the visiting Devils 38-35.

Snapping their five-game losing streak to ASU, Arizona Football finishes its season 5-7 (3-6).

2,191 – Coming in, it had been a long, 2,191 days since the Wildcats last beat the Sun Devils but finally, after a hard-fought game on Friday afternoon, the Territorial Cup is coming home.

And I think I can speak for all Wildcat fans in saying it is about damn time!

5 – Opposite their game against Washington State, Arizona was able to force five ASU turnovers. Scoring a few times thanks to the Sun Devils’ mistakes, the five turnovers were needed for Arizona to come away with the 38-35 win.

214 – Despite many thinking, the Wildcats were going to throw the ball a lot, instead, this one turned more into a running game.

Utilizing five different rushers, it was Michael Wiley who had the big day, rushing for a career-high 214 yards on 12 carries. Wiley finished his day with three rushing touchdowns.

7 – He didn’t lead the team in tackles on Saturday; however, he did have one of his best games as a Wildcat, as Jacob Manu, the unsung Servite prospect in the 2022 recruiting class, registered seven tackles (three solo), with a sack, 1.0 tackles for loss, and pass breakup.

Manu finishes his freshman season with an impressive 54 tackles (27 solo), a sack, and 4.0 tackles for loss.

97 – All season, Arizona had struggled in containing opposing running backs, but on Friday, they held one of the best running backs in the conference to just 97 yards rushing on 24 carries.

Granted, Valladay still had two rushing touchdowns; however, he was not as effective as he had been this season, and Arizona’s defense deserves credit for limiting Xazavian a bit.

Trending. The Streak is over! The Cup returns home with Arizona Football. light

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