TEMPE, Ariz. — Noah Fifita threw for 286 yards and a touchdown, and No. 25 Arizona dominated rival No. 25 Arizona State 23-7 on Friday night behind an outstanding defensive effort.

Fifita was named the Bob Moran MVP of the 2025 Territorial Cup for his tremendous performance in the victory. 

The reigning Big 12 champion Sun Devils (8-4, 6-3) entered the highly anticipated Territorial Cup game with a slim chance of reaching the title game again.

Arizona (9-3, 6-3) squeezed the life out of their chances with a suffocating defense effort, as they forced five turnovers and limited Arizona State to just 214 total yards.

Sun Devils' quarterback Jeff Sims threw three interceptions and lost two fumbles. His botched handoff at Arizona State's 6 to open the third quarter set up Fifita's 9-yard touchdown pass to Cameron Barmore, giving the Wildcats a lead that they would never relinquish 

Arizona's Michael Salgado-Medina made two of his three field goals in the second half after missing two kicks and having another blocked. Kedrick Reescano scored on a 1-yard touchdown run with 1:56 left and Dalton Johnson capped Arizona's fifth straight win with an interception near midfield.

Arizona has taken a huge step forward defensively in coach Brent Brennan's second season, ranking in the top 25 nationally in numerous categories.

The Wildcats clamped down on the Sun Devils from the start, holding them to 15 yards in the first quarter. Arizona State found some success on the ground on a 90-yard drive capped by Sims' 27-yard run, but its only other sustained first-half drive ended when Jesus Gomez's 49-yard field goal clanked off the right goal post.

Arizona dominated the final 30 minutes of the game, outscoring Arizona State 20-0 in the second half.

Arizona will go on to play in a bowl game for the second time in three years.