In one of the more competitive and tight rivalries in college football, the Arizona Wildcats are set to take on the Arizona State Sun Devils on Saturday. The two teams will be playing for the Territorial Cup for the 97th meeting.
Let’s take a look into the history of their in-state rivalry and how the Territorial Cup came to be.
History Behind the Territorial Cup
The two teams first played each other back in 1899. Then, Arizona State beat the Wildcats 11-2. From the beginning, whichever team won the game received the Territorial Cup. The name comes from the fact that Arizona was a territory of the United States before it became an official state in 1912.
At one point, the trophy went missing until 1980 when it was found on the Arizona State campus. Since 2000, it has been used as a traveling trophy given to the winner, once again.
MORE: History of the Arizona State Sun Devils
Since 1946, Arizona and Arizona State played each other on an annual basis, as the Wildcats won 20 of the first 22 matchups against the Sun Devils. Starting in 1948 through 1981, Arizona only won nine times in 33 games, and the Sun Devils were able to retake the rivalry. The Wildcats won the majority of the games through the 80s and 90s before Arizona State started going on a run in the 2000s to the present day.
Arizona State had won five straight games against Arizona until last season when the Wildcats pulled off a thrilling 38-35 win over the Sun Devils. This was one of three victories “UA” has had over “ASU” in the last 11 matchups.
In total though, the Wildcats are the leaders in the series with a record of 50-45-1. Arizona has the largest margin of victory over the Sun Devils, winning 67-0 back in 1946. The Wildcats also have the longest winning streak in the series, beating Arizona State 11 times in a row between 1932 through 1948.
Going into their matchup on Saturday, the Sun Devils will not be bowling this season due to their 3-8 record. Meanwhile, the 15th-ranked Wildcats have been hot of late sitting at an 8-3 record. Kickoff is at 3:30 pm EST on ESPN.