Arizona Defeats Arizona State to Win Pac-12 South

The University of Arizona Wildcats have defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Territorial Cup 42-35 while also winning the Pac-12 South championship as UCLA lost to Stanford.

The Wildcats will play the Oregon Ducks in the Pac-12 Championship game on December 5th. Arizona hasn’t won a Pac-12 championship in football since 1993.

Arizona jumped out to an early 7-0 lead on a fumble recovery for a touchdown just 44 seconds into the game. Arizona State returned the favor nine minutes later when Demetrius Cherry scooped up a fumble and dove into the end zone to tie the game at 7-7.

The game would only be tied for 55 seconds however as Anu Solomon hit Samajie Grant over the middle who juked numerous defenders on his way to the end zone to put the Wildcats back on top.

Taylor Kelly marched the ASU offense down the field in nine plays before connecting with Jaelen Strong in the end zone who made a one-handed snag underneath the goal post to tie the game at 14-14.

Nov 28, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jaelen Strong (21) catches 3 yard touchdown during the first half against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Then, the Nick Wilson show began. On a 4th and inches Wilson received a hand-off from Solomon and pranced his way into the end zone from 21 yards out. A 7-yard touchdown pass from Kelly to Demario Richard with 24 seconds left in the first half was just a short commercial break in the Nick Wilson show however.

Wilson scored a touchdown from a yard out on the first drive of the half for Arizona to take a 28-21 lead. He would then break out a 72-yard rushing touchdown to double the lead and forced Arizona State to make a personnel change under center.

Nov 28, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats running back Nick Wilson (28) runs for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the 88th annual territorial cup at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Kelly was 13-22 for 144 yards and two touchdown passes, but Todd Graham decided to switch things up after two consecutive ASU drives stalling early in UA territory. Graham subbed in early-season hero Mike Bercovici.

Bercovici gained one first down on the first drive in the game, but was unable to move the ball further down the field. He was able to lead the team 65 yards on six plays on his second drive, finishing it off with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Kody Kohl to cut the deficit to 35-28.

Arizona State stood tall on defense following the Kohl touchdown, but Bercovici turned the ball over with an interception deep in ASU’s territory and UA cashed in with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Grant.

Bercovici rebounded well after the turnover and drove the Sun Devils 78 yards in just under three and a half minutes to make it a one score game again, 42-35. Arizona State’s defense forced a three-and-out on UA’s next drive giving Bercovici enough time to fully complete the 4th quarter comeback.

Kyle Middlebrooks returned the Arizona punt back to the ASU 43 yard line with 2:56 left in the 4th quarter. The Sun Devils only got to the UA 40 yard line however before turning the ball over on downs after great pass coverage by the Wildcats on 3rd and 4th downs.

Nov 28, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats offensive lineman Mickey Baucus (68) hoists the territorial cup in celebration after beating the Arizona State Sun Devils 42-35 at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Bercovici would finish 14-22 with 123 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in just over a quarter of play. Solomon from Arizona finished 15-21 for 208 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions.

Richard led the Sun Devils in rushing with 68 yards on 13 attempts. DJ Foster only had 13 rushing attempts for 34 yards, but did add seven receptions for 60 yards to extend his streak of at least one reception in each of his collegiate games. Wilson torched the Sun Devils rush defense throughout the game to total 178 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

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Strong led Arizona State with 80 receiving yards, but only had one reception for six yards in the second half. Grant had the two receiving touchdowns for UA, while also adding 91 receiving yards.

Antonio Longino took the lead of the Arizona State defense with Jordan Simone out. Longino racked up a team-high nine tackles. Salamo Fiso added 1.5 sacks, while Armand Perry and James Johnson were also able to get to Solomon in the backfield.

The Arizona Wildcats will move into the top-10 in the College Football Playoff Rankings before playing Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship game. Arizona defeated Oregon 31-24 in Eugene in early October.

The Sun Devils’ regular season is over, but they will still remain in the top-20 in the rankings most likely and are obviously bowl-eligible after finishing the season 9-3.

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