Wildcats win Territorial Cup, delighting Tucson fans | Local News

TEMPE, Ariz. (KVOA) – The highly anticipated showdown between Arizona and Arizona State unfolded Friday night, with both teams riding a wave of consecutive victories and confident fanbases. The 99th Territorial Cup was on the line, and Arizona and its traveling fans claimed it in front of a hostile crowd.

Prior to the game, fans from both sides were confident in their team’s chances, albeit with varying predictions of the game’s outcome.

“I think it’ll be close, but I think we’ll win. We have very similar records, so I think it’ll be close. It’ll be really, really good,” Julie Young, a Sun Devil mom, told News 4 Tucson.

Freddy Romero, a Wildcat fan, was more optimistic about his team’s prospects.

“28-0, we’re gonna walk out of here, we’re gonna put our flag right in the middle of their Sparky and walk out with the W,” Romero said.

Thousands of fans gathered in Tempe to witness a clash of two teams seeking their ninth win of the season. Arizona State held a narrow 7-3 lead at halftime, leaving their students feeling positive.

“Senior year, our last win. Get ‘em big, we’re gonna win,” Kayleigh Russell, an ASU senior, said.

However, the second half took a turn for the Sun Devils, as Arizona scored 20 unanswered points and emerged victorious. Many ASU fans left the stadium before the final whistle.

“Coming into this, I really, I didn’t see them winning, especially as favorites coming in, and they ended up being the better team,” Luke LeBlanc, an ASU junior, told News 4 Tucson.

Arizona Football’s five straight wins has surprised some of its own fans as well.

“It’s just so exciting and exhilarating because I wasn’t expecting it, right?” Jill Hudson said.

Arizona Football fans now have bragging rights for the year, but both teams have more to play for and have been bowl eligible for weeks. Where the Wildcats, Sun Devils and their fanbases end up this bowl season remains to be seen.