The cliché of rivalry games is this: Throw away the records, what happened the previous season, or who’s considered the better team. On rivalry night, that goes out the window.
That’s ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s best hope this year, certainly. The Wildcats have a 2-9 record heading into Friday night, their worst entering the Territorial Cup since 2011. ASU isn’t having a great year, and it’s still one win from bowl eligibility at 5-6.
Of course, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won that game in 2011.
Here’s a look back at five times the lesser team won the game.
1982
Records: No. 6 ASU (9-1), ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ (5-4-1)
Where: ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥
Who won: UA 28-18.
People are also reading…
The hero: QB Tom Tunnicliffe (ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥), who avoided a blitz in his own end zone to complete a 92-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, helping UA upset ASU and keep the Sun Devils out of the Rose Bowl.
1992
Records: No. 16 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ (6-3-1), ASU (6-4)
Where: Tempe
Who won: ASU 7-6
The hero: Kevin Galbreath (ASU), who ran for a 51-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to secure ASU coach Bruce Snyder’s first Cup win.
2004
Records: No. 18 ASU (8-2), ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ (2-8)
Where: ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥
Who won: UA 34-27
The hero: QB Richard Kovalcheck (ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥) who threw for three touchdowns in the upset, even though he was just a redshirt freshman.
2010
Records: ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ (7-4), ASU (5-6)
Where: ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥
Who won: ASU 30-29 (2OT)
The hero: DL James Brooks (ASU), a mammoth lineman who blocked two Alex Zendejas extra points to secure the double overtime victory for ASU.
2011
Records: ASU (6-4), ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ (2-8)
Where: Tempe
Who won: UA 31-27
The hero: QB Bryson Beirne (ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥). After star Nick Foles left with an injury, Beirne came in and threw the game-winning touchdown to Juron Criner.
