Wildcats Host Sun Devils for 98th Territorial Cup

TUCSON, Ariz. — The Duel in the Desert returns to Arizona Stadium this Saturday, Nov. 30 as the Arizona Wildcats (4-7, 2-6) play host to the No. 14 Arizona State Sun Devils (9-2, 6-2).

Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m. MST with a national television broadcast on FOX. The game will also be broadcast live on Wildcats Radio 1290 AM.

Fans are encouraged to WEAR RED on Saturday. Tickets are still available in limited quantities and can be purchased here.

Saturday will also be the program's annual Senior Day. Fans are encouraged to enter the stadium early and be in their seats for the Senior Day ceremony as we celebrate the accomplishments of our many standout senior student-athletes.

For more information on the 2024 Territorial Cup, continue reading below.

Arizona Notes and Numbers

• The Arizona Wildcats hosts Arizona State for the 98th matchup in Territorial Cup series history. Jason Benetti (PxP), Brock Huard (Analyst), and Allison Williams (Sideline) are the broadcast crew with kickoff at 1:30 p.m. MST on Fox.
• This is the 98th matchup in series history with the Arizona Wildcats holding a 51-45-1 lead all-time. Arizona has won the last two matchups while scoring 97 points combined against its rival to the north.
• Arizona defeated ASU 59-23 in last season’s clash in Tempe and 38-35 in 2022 in Tucson. The Wildcats hold a 32-21 record in Tucson, including a 25-20 record in Arizona Stadium.
• Arizona and ASU play for the nation’s oldest rivalry trophy. In summer 2001, officials at Arizona and Arizona State received NCAA Division I-A designation for the 1899 Territorial Cup as the oldest trophy for a rivalry game in America.
• The annual Arizona-Arizona State winner obtains possession of the Cup for its Hall of Fame, a replica goes to the winning school’s president’s office, and two later trophies used over the years in the hard-fought rivalry are awarded to the winning coach and the Most Valuable Player.
• Tetairoa McMillan became Arizona’s all-time receiving yards leader with his 115-yard performance at TCU last Saturday. He now has 3,355 career receiving yards.
• McMillan was named a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award this week, making him the first Wildcat in program history to earn the distinction.
• Arizona is led by six captains this season, three on offense and three on defense. QB Noah Fifita, OL Jonah Savaiinaea, OL Josh Baker, DB Treydan Stukes, LB Jacob Manu, and DB Gunner Maldonado.

By The Numbers…

THE 98TH TERRITORIAL CUP: The Arizona Wildcats (4-7, 2-6 Big 12) hosts Arizona State (9-2, 6-2) for the 98th matchup in Territorial Cup series history. Jason Benetti (Play-by-play), Brock Huard (Analyst), and Allison Williams (Sideline) are the broadcast crew with kickoff at 1:30 p.m. MST on Fox. This is the 98th matchup in series history with the Arizona Wildcats holding a 51-45-1 lead all-time. Arizona has won the last two matchups while scoring 97 points combined against its rival to the north.  Arizona defeated ASU 59-23 in last season’s clash in Tempe and 38-35 in 2022 in Tucson. The Wildcats hold a 32-21 record in Tucson, including a 25-20 record in Arizona Stadium. Arizona and ASU play for the nation’s oldest rivalry trophy. In summer 2001, officials at Arizona and Arizona State received NCAA Division I-A designation for the 1899 Territorial Cup as the oldest trophy for a rivalry game in America. The annual Arizona-Arizona State winner obtains possession of the Cup for its Hall of Fame, a replica goes to the winning school’s president’s office, and two later trophies used over the years in the hard-fought rivalry are awarded to the winning coach and the Most Valuable Player.

THE NATION’S OLDEST RIVALRY TROPHY: In summer 2001, officials at Arizona and Arizona State received NCAA Division I-A designation for the 1899 Territorial Cup as the oldest trophy for a rivalry game in America. The annual Arizona-Arizona State winner obtains possession of the Cup for its Hall of Fame, a replica goes to the winning school’s president’s office, and two later trophies used over the years in the hard-fought rivalry are awarded to the winning coach and the Most Valuable Player. On Thanksgiving Day in 1899, then Arizona Territorial Normal School defeated Arizona 11-2 in front of a reported 300 fans, and the Cup had its first curator. But over the years, the silver-plated antique prize was misplaced and supplanted by various other awards for the Big Game - the Governor’s Trophy (1953-1979), a “Victory” sculpture by artist Ben Goo, and a Saguaro Trophy, among others. Now, to ensure the safety of the original trophy, the actual Territorial Cup moves from one school to the other only under escort and the supervision of gloved archivists. Each year, members of the media vote on the Most Valuable Player at the conclusion of the game. Since 2008, the honor has been named the Bob Moran Most Valuable Player Award, named after the longtime East Valley Tribune sports reporter who also worked at the Arizona Daily Star for 13 years and covered both schools as a beat writer and columnist. The Ben Goo Trophy, awarded from 1979 to 1998 as the game trophy, has become the physical award given to the game’s MVP. The Saguaro Trophy, a smaller bronze piece commissioned from artist Dora Perry in 1998, is presented and kept each year by the winning coach.

THE BOB MORAN AWARD: Each year, members of the media vote on a Most Valuable Player at the conclusion of the game. Since 2008, the honor has been named the Bob Moran Most Valuable Player Award, named after the longtime East Valley Tribune sports reporter who also worked at the Arizona Daily Star for 13 years and covered both schools as a beat writer and columnist. The Ben Goo Trophy, awarded from 1979 to 1998 as the game trophy, has become the physical award given to the game’s MVP. The Saguaro Trophy, a smaller bronze piece commissioned from artist Dora Perry in 1998, is presented and kept each year by the winning coach.

LAST GAME: Arizona fell for the seventh time this season, dropping to 4-7 overall and out of traditional bowl eligibility. Josh Hoover threw for 252 yards and a touchdown and JP Richardson had 149 all-purpose yards and a 38-yard touchdown reception to lead TCU over Arizona 49-28 on Saturday. On the first play from scrimmage, Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita was intercepted by Bud Clark. TCU scored five plays later on Trent Battle's 4-yard run. The Horned Frogs scored touchdowns on five straight drives, going at least 75 yards on nine or more plays on three of the possessions. TCU (7-4, 5-3 Big 12) drove 75 yards in 12 plays in the final 1:55 of the first half to take a 21-13 lead on Savion Williams' 20-yard run. Hoover completed five passes on the drive, including gains of 24, 19, and 24 yards to set up Williams' score with 20 seconds left in the half. The Horned Frogs took the second-half kickoff and drove 76 yards in nine plays to build a 28-13 lead on Battle's 1-yard run. Richardson's 33-yard punt return to the Arizona 34 set up a third touchdown in three possessions. He caught a short pass over the middle from Hoover and raced untouched 38 yards for the score and a 35-13 lead. Richardson led TCU with six catches for 107 yards. Four TCU running backs scored a touchdown, including Williams, who rushed for 80 yards and two scores. Battle also rushed for 28 yards and two scores. Fifita was 29 of 44 for 284 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for Arizona (4-7, 2-6). Tetairoa McMillan made nine catches for 115 yards.

LAST GAME INDIVIDUAL NOTES:

• WR Tetairoa McMillan became the Arizona all-time receiving yards leader with his 115-yard performance on Saturday. He now boasts 3,355 career receiving yards.
  • McMillan passed his current position coach, Bobby Wade (3,351 yards, 1999-02), for first in program history.
  • McMillan logged his 12th career 100-yard receiving game at TCU, tied for the second most in program history (also: Bobby Wade, 1999-02).
  • His nine receptions at TCU brought his season total to 78, the 10th most in a single season in program history.
• McMillan has now tallied 50+ receiving yards in 28 of the 36 games he has played in at Arizona.
• QB Noah Fifita moved two spots up the Arizona career passing yards leaderboard against TCU, passing Dan White and Jason Johnson to vault into 8th place. He has passed for 5,829 yards in two-plus seasons.
• DB Jack Luttrell picked up his third interception of the season in the first quarter. He is now tied with DB Genesis Smith for the team lead with 3 INT.
• TE Sam Olson’s 51-yard receptions near the end of the first quarter was the longest of his career (previous: 31 yards, vs. Houston 2024).
  • Olson finished the game with 58 receiving yards, a career-high mark (previous: 33, at UCF, 11/2/24).
• WR Chris Hunter pulled in his second and third career receiving touchdowns on Saturday afternoon. It marked the first multi-TD performance of his career.
• DB Dalton Johnson led the Arizona defense with a career-high 15 tackles (previous: 13, twice, last, vs. West Virginia 10/26/24).
• K Tyler Loop connected on field goals of 53 and 43 yards, both of which came in the second quarter.
  • Loop now has 326 career points, the third most in program history and 11 shy of second place.
• DL Sterling Lane II returned a fumble recovery 70 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. It was his first career scoring play and the first fumble recovery touchdown for Arizona since DB Gunner Maldonado’s 87-yard score in the 2023 Alamo Bowl.
• QB Cole Tannenbaum recorded his first career pass attempts (3) and his first career completion (3 yards) at the end of Saturday’s game.

TRACKING HISTORY:

• WR Tetairoa McMillan has 25 career receiving TD, the third most in program history. He is five receiving TD away from tying Theopolis Bell (1972-75) for second in program history with 30 career receiving TD.
• WR Tetairoa McMillan has twelve 100-yard receiving games in his career. He is tied with Bobby Wade (1999-02) for second all-time with 12 career 100-yard receiving games.
• QB Noah Fifita has 43 career passing TD which ranks tied for 7th all-time. He is two TD away from moving up the leaderboard into a tie for sixth with Bruce Hill (1973-75) at 45 career passing touchdowns.
• QB Noah Fifita is currently 8th in program history with 5,781 career passing yards. He is 192 yards from passing Keith Smith (5,972 yards, 1996-99) for 7th in program history.
• K Tyler Loop has 326 career points, the third most in program history. He is 12 points shy of passing Art Luppino (337 points, 1953-56) for second all-time.
• K Tyler Loop currently boasts an 84.81% (67-of-79) career field goals made percentage, which would be the best mark in program history (min. 30 made FG).

BILETNIKOFF AWARD FINALIST: Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan has been selected as one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award, as announced today by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation. This award honors the nation's best receiver regardless of position. Tetairoa McMillan moved into first all-time in receiving yards at Arizona with 3,355 over his three seasons with the Wildcats (36 games). He becomes the first Arizona player to be named a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award and the first to move past the semifinal round. McMillan joins Nick Nash (SJSU) and Travis Hunter (Colorado) as one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award. He is third in college football (2nd among WR) with 1,251 receiving yards, ninth in receptions (78), and 20th in yards from scrimmage (1,251). His yards and yards per game (113.7) are first in the Big 12, touchdowns (7) are tied for fourth, and his yards per catch (16.0) are tied for sixth in the conference. The last Biletnikoff Award semifinalist for Arizona was Austin Hill in 2012, and McMillan is the first Wildcat to advance past that round. McMillan has put his name at the top of the receiving yards list and currently sits third in program history with 25 receiving touchdowns over his illustrious career. The junior from Waimanalo, Hawai'i has notched 12 100-yard receiving games in his career which is the second most in program history.

ONE THOUSAND CLUB: Tetairoa McMillan became the first Arizona wide receiver to record back-to-back 1,000-plus-yard receiving seasons (2023: 1,402, 2024: 1,251). He is also climbing up the career receptions list in program history with 207 (5th).

ARIZONA’S BEST WIDE OUT: Tetairoa McMillan made nine receptions for 115 yards at TCU (11/23) to move into first all-time in career receiving yards (3,355). McMillan gained 202 yards receiving on 10 receptions against West Virginia (10/26). McMillan’s 202 yards were the 11th most in a single game in program history. He now owns three of the top 12 receiving performances in program history. McMillan is seventh among active FBS wide outs in career receiving yards (3,355). Tetairoa McMillan is third in program history in career-receiving touchdowns (25), 3rd in career-receiving yards in program history (3,240). He has now recorded the most receiving yards in a single game (304) and the third-most receiving yards in a single game in program history in 2023 (266; at ASU, Nov. 25, 2023). McMillan pulled in 202 yards for his 11th 100-plus-yard receiving game of his career against WVU. He finished with 161 receiving yards on eight receptions against Texas Tech (10/5). His 11 100-yard performances are tied for third in program history. T-Mac is third nationally in receiving yards (982). He leads the Big 12 in receiving yards and tied for fourth in the conference in receiving touchdowns (4). McMillan has caught a pass in 23 straight games. With 84 yards receiving at UCF (11/2), McMillan crossed the 1,000-yard mark on the year. It marked the 12th 1,000-yard receiving season in Arizona Football history and second for McMillan.

QB1: Quarterback Noah Fifita’s career-completion percentage is 65.9% (496-753 for 5,829 yards and 43 TD) which is second in program history behind Super Bowl Champion Nick Foles (66.8%, 360-for-531). Fifita’s season high was 422 yards passing and four touchdowns against New Mexico (8/31) to open the season. He has passed for more than 300 yards twice in 11 games this season. Fifita has thrown two touchdowns in each of his last four games, and he’s thrown a touchdown in each of his last six games. Fifita is 8th in program history with 5,829-career passing yards.

AMONG THE NATION’S TOP PASSERS: Redshirt sophomore quarterback Noah Fifita ranks 21st nationally in passing yards per game (257.45). He is 19th nationally in total passing yards (2,832) and 11th in the nation in pass attempts (401). Fifita is 16th nationally in completions (246). He is 5th in the conference in passing yards per game (257.5), 4th in the conference in completions (246), 5th in the conference in passing yards (2,832), 10th in touchdowns (17), 12th in efficiency (128.7).

BIG JONAH: OL Jonah Savaiinaea has appeared in 738 snaps with just 4 sacks allowed 74.2 offensive rating (23rd in Big 12), 83.4 pass-blocking rating (23rd in Big 12) (per PFF), only allowed 2 hits on QB all season. 11 games played; 11 games started.

THE TRE WAY: DL Tre Smith is 16th in the Big 12 in yards loss on TFL (-36), 23rd in the conference in total tackles for loss (7.5), 24th in Big 12 in solo tackles for loss (6), 10th in the Big 12 in total sacks (4.5).

D-TRAIN: DB Dalton Johnson leads the team with 85 total tackles which is 6th in the Big 12, 4th in the conference in tackles per game (8.5), 11th in the Big 12 with 40 solo tackles, 5th in the Big 12 with 45 assists. Johnson recorded a career-high 15 tackles at TCU (11/23).

PBU: DB Genesis Smith is tied for 5th the Big 12 in pass breakups (6), tied for 3rd in the Big 12 in INT (3), 8th in the Big 12 in total passes defended (9). Tacario Davis has made 39 tackles and is tied for 5th in Big 12 with six pass breakups, and one quarterback hurry. 2.0 tackles for loss, 43rd in the Big 12 in pass defense grade (65.0), 37th in the Big 12 in coverage grade (66.0) per PFF.

FLIGHT OF QUALI: Senior RB Quali Conley recorded his first 100-plus yard rushing game with Arizona (112 vs. NAU, 9/7), and since he rushed for 155 yards against San Diego State on 11/18/23. He recently notched his second 100-yard rushing game (107 on 11 carries w/1 TD) with Arizona against Houston last Saturday (11/15). Conley broke off a 58-yard rush on Arizona’s first drive of the game, marking his longest rush with the Wildcats and the second longest of his career (Longest: 68 yards vs. New Mexico, 10/14/23). Conley matched his career-high in receptions with five against NAU (9/7) (2x; last: vs. Air Force, 9/22/23). Conley has rushed for eight touchdowns this season and made his first touchdown reception with Arizona (11/15 vs. Houston).

LACES OUT: Tyler Loop set the program record for most consecutive extra-points made (118-of-118) prior to missing a pair of extra-point attempts and he is now 125-for-127 in his career. Loop is chasing down the top-career field goal percentage (84.8%, 67 of 79) in program history. He is third in career-scoring in program history (318; 2022-present). Loop set a program record with five made field goals against Texas Tech (10/5), marking the most field goals made (5) and attempted (6) in a single game in program history. Loop is fifth among active kickers in FBS in field goal percentage. Loop booted a program-record 62-yard field goal, tying the second-longest ever by a Big 12 kicker (matches Jonathan Garibay of TTU in 2021 and Terence Kitchens of Texas A&M in 1999).

LOU GROZA AWARD SEMIFINALIST: Arizona kicker Tyler Loop has been named a Semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, as announced today by the Orange Bowl. This award honors the nation's best kicker. Tyler Loop is among 20 of the nation's best kickers for the second straight year after being named a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award last season. Loop joins five other members of the semifinalists to make repeat appearances this season.The other repeat semifinalists include Miami senior Andres Borregales who is the only kicker named a semifinalist in each of the past three seasons, joined by Florida State senior Ryan Fitzgerald, and Georgia sophomore Peyton Woodring from 2023, and Michigan junior Dominic Zvada who made the list in 2022. Among the new names on the list are all four FBS kickers who have already reached 20 field goals made. Louisiana senior Kenneth Almendares and UNLV freshman Caden Chittenden lead the nation with 22 makes, followed by 20 field goals each from Ole Miss senior Caden Davis and Miami (Ohio) junior Dom Dzioban. Since the first Lou Groza Award was handed out in 1992, 32 finalists, including 17 winners, have gone on to appear in the NFL, earning 13 trips to the Pro Bowl and taking home 7 Super Bowls. That list includes 2024 NFL kickers Daniel Carlson Jake Elliott, Ka'imi Fairbairn, Graham Gano, Matt Gay, Zane Gonzalez, Dustin Hopkins, Joshua Karty, Younghoe Koo, Jake Moody, Will Reichard and Cairo Santos.

CREATING TURNOVERS: Against Colorado (10/19), Arizona forced multiple turnovers in a game for the fourth time this season. That matches the same number of games with a turnover forced that Arizona has had in both 2023 and 2022. Arizona’s last season with more than four games forcing two-plus turnovers was 2017 (eight). The Wildcats forced three fumbles at UCF (11/2) but were unable to recover a fumble. It marked the most fumbles forced this season. Arizona’s defense won the turnover battle for the second time this season against Houston (11/15), forcing two fumbles and grabbing one interception. Genesis Smith becomes the first Wildcat this season to recover a fumble and make an interception in the same game. The Wildcats have recorded eight interceptions and eight fumble recoveries for 16 total turnovers forced through 11 games this season. DB Owen Goss has introduced himself to the Big 12 with the second most forced fumbles (3) and tied for the most fumbles recovered (2).

WILDCATS IN THE NFL: Arizona currently has 11 players on NFL rosters during the 2024 season. Former offensive lineman Jordan Morgan was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the first round (25th overall) following the 2023 season. He was the first first-round selection since Antoine Cason was picked 27th overall in 2008. He joined a list that includes Cason (2008; 27th, San Diego), Trung Canidate (2000; 31st, St. Louis), Chris McAlister (1999; 10th, Baltimore), John Fina (1992; 27th, Buffalo), Chris Singleton (1990; 8th, New England), Anthony Smith (1990; 11th, Oakland), Rickey Hunley (1984; 7th, Cincinnati), Mike Dawson (1976; 22nd, Arizona), Bill Lueck (1968; 26, Green Bay), and Walt Nelson (1939; 10th, New York Giants) to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Wide receiver Jacob Cowing was picked in the fourth round (135th overall) by the San Francisco 49ers and became the highest wide receiver selected since Mike Thomas in 2009 (4th Rd, 107 overall by Jacksonville) and the first wide receiver since Juron Criner (5th Rd, 168th overall by Oakland) in 2012. Tight End Tanner McLachlan was the third Wildcat selected in the 2024 NFL Draft when the Cincinnati Bengals picked him the 6th round (194 overall). The three draft picks matched the most selected in one draft since 2014 when Ka’Deem Carey (4th Rd, 117 overall), Shaquille Richardson (5th Rd, 157th overall), and Marquis Flowers (6th Rd, 212 overall) were picked in the 2014 NFL Draft.

Current Wildcats on NFL Rosters (as of 11/24/24)

*Practice Squad