Arizona Flips the Script in Territorial Cup, Shows a Program on the Rise
One year after Arizona State handed Arizona a humbling loss, the Wildcats returned the favor-and then some. Friday night in Tempe, Arizona walked away with a 23-7 win that, frankly, felt even more lopsided than the score suggests.
This wasn’t just a rivalry win. It was a statement.
And if you watched the game, you know exactly what kind of statement it was.
From the opening drive, Arizona looked like the more prepared, more composed, and more complete football team. The Wildcats dominated time of possession, holding the ball for a staggering 40 minutes.
They ran nearly twice as many plays as ASU, controlled the pace, and dictated the terms. The Sun Devils, meanwhile, struggled to get anything going offensively, and when they did, Arizona’s defense was quick to shut the door.
Yes, ASU was banged up. They were missing key players before the game even kicked off and lost more as the night wore on.
But injuries are part of football, especially by the final week of the regular season. Arizona has played its fair share of undermanned games in recent years, and nobody handed them sympathy wins.
The team that shows up is the team that plays, and on Friday, Arizona showed up in every way that mattered.
The Wildcats forced five turnovers-three interceptions and two fumble recoveries-and won the turnover battle by four. They converted 10 of their 20 third-down attempts and were perfect on fourth down.
If not for a few miscues-missed field goals, a dropped pass here or there, a questionable fumble-the final margin could’ve been even wider. But make no mistake: this was a one-sided game from the jump.
What’s striking is that, on paper, Arizona didn’t necessarily bring the more talented roster. ASU had plenty of highly-touted transfers and young talent that had been praised during their recent winning stretch.
The Sun Devils even had a slim shot at a Big 12 title game appearance with a win. The betting line was tight.
Some experts even picked ASU to keep the Territorial Cup in Tempe.
But the moment the game started, it was clear: this was Arizona’s night.
The difference? Maturity.
Poise. A team that knows exactly who it is.
Arizona didn’t play perfect football, but they didn’t need to. When things went sideways-a missed kick, a stalled drive-they didn’t unravel.
They responded. That’s been their identity all season: steady, composed, and opportunistic.
No panic. Just football.
And they’ve done all this without a single guaranteed first- or second-round NFL draft pick on the roster. That’s a testament to coaching, culture, and buy-in from top to bottom.
Head coach Brent Brennan deserves a ton of credit. So do his coordinators, Seth Doege and Danny Gonzales.
Together, they’ve built a team that punches above its weight and plays with a level of consistency that’s been missing from Tucson for a long time. The offense and defense both finished the regular season ranked fourth in the Big 12-something nobody saw coming when the year began.
Arizona didn’t have a single player named to the Preseason All-Big 12 teams, and yet here they are, finishing the season as one of the conference’s most balanced and resilient squads.
That kind of overachievement doesn’t happen by accident.
Brennan spoke after the game about the alignment within the program-from the administration to the coaching staff to the players-and it’s clear that alignment is paying off.
“I really think I’m fortunate to be surrounded by awesome people,” Brennan said. “It starts with alignment with our administration, our president, our athletic director… the coaches are fantastic.”
He highlighted how that alignment allows the staff to build smart game plans and make in-game adjustments when needed.
“When you have great alignment from top to bottom, and everybody is all in moving the same direction, you can do incredible things,” Brennan added. “And I think that’s what’s happening for our program right now.”
It’s hard to argue with him. One year removed from a 49-7 loss to ASU that capped a miserable season, Arizona has flipped the narrative. The Wildcats are no longer the team hoping to stay competitive-they’re the team setting the tone.
Of course, success brings its own challenges. Brennan’s coordinators could draw interest from programs looking to fill head coaching vacancies.
Players might get offers to transfer elsewhere for more money or playing time. That’s the cost of winning in today’s college football landscape.
But for now, Arizona fans should soak it in. This was a season to remember, and it feels like the beginning of something more than just a one-year turnaround.
Brennan’s offseason moves-both in staff hires and player acquisitions-showed a coach who’s not just willing to make tough decisions, but capable of making the right ones. That kind of leadership is rare, and it’s exactly what Arizona needed to get back on track.
Progress isn’t always linear. There may be bumps ahead.
But this team has shown a level of resilience and cohesion that suggests they’re built to weather whatever comes next. And after a night like Friday, it’s clear that Arizona football isn’t just back-it’s building something real.
The Territorial Cup is headed back to Tucson, and it didn’t get there by accident.