The Streak is over! The Cup returns home with Arizona Football

TUCSON, AZ – Looking to snap ASU’s five-game winning streak in the Territorial Cup, Arizona Football (5-7, 3-6) held on to beat the Sun Devils, 38-35. 

Entering Friday’s action riding a five-game losing streak in the Territorial Cup, Arizona Football was looking to end the 2022 season on a high note.

Playing with plenty of emotion, the Wildcats gained 480 yards of offense, scored 38 points, and forced five turnovers as the Wildcats beat the visiting Sun Devils.

Unlike their previous game where the Wildcats fell behind early, and couldn’t recover, the offense jumped out to an early lead in this one!

Holding ASU on their first drive, Arizona responded with a four-play, 80-yard drive that ended in a 51-yard touchdown run from Michael Wiley to make it 7-0, Cats.

After a three-and-out by the Wildcats, a quick interception on the ensuing drive by the Sun Devils allowed the Wildcats to drive 28 yards on 10 plays that ended in a 29-yard field goal to make it 10-0.

Unfortunately, the lead wasn’t safe for the Wildcats.

Responding with back-to-back touchdown drives, ASU would gain the lead at 14-10 with 0:58 left in the half after Trent Bourguet connected with Elijhah Badger. That drive would be set up by an interception thrown by Jayden de Laura in the end zone.

Trailing 14-10 at halftime, Arizona Football needed to make more plays in the second half if they were to end their losing streak to ASU.

Starting quickly to begin the second half, Arizona would be the ones to strike first, scoring a touchdown after driving 75 yards on seven plays that ended in a nine-yard touchdown run from Jonah Coleman to make it 17-14.

Just a few short plays later, ASU would respond, answering with an 11-play, 72-yard touchdown drive to regain the lead at 21-17.

Luckily, that lead wouldn’t last long as the Wildcats drove 75 yards on three plays that ended in a 12-yard touchdown run from Wiley to make it 24-21.

A fumble by ASU would give the Cats the ball again, and luckily, Arizona would capitalize. Using just two plays, the Wildcats extended their lead to 31-21 after Wiley scored his third rushing touchdown of the game, this time a 72-yard touchdown run.

Unfortunately, once again no lead would be safe in this one as ASU responded again, scoring on back-to-back touchdown drives to regain the lead at 35-31.

Trailing 35-31, Arizona would score again, this time driving 75 yards on four plays to regain the lead at 38-35 for good after DJ Williams punched it in from six yards out.

Back-to-back turnovers by the Sun Devils would seal their fate in this one, ending the Wildcats’ losing streak to ASU, and delivering the Territorial Cup back to Tucson.

With the win, the Wildcats end the year 5-7 (3-6) and will turn their focus to the off-season and preparing for the 2023 season!

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