(Photo: Haley Spracale/WCSN)
Arizona State Football has navigated itself through a stormy 2022 season, suffering multiple changes in key positions, including at head coach. Combine the transformation with a 3-8 record, and the clouds circle around the program.
But the Sun Devils have a chance to clear the skies against the Arizona Wildcats in the Territorial Cup. The 96th Dual in the Desert gives ASU an opportunity to partake in a “one-game season” and correct its course, according to interim head coach Shaun Aguano.
“It’s absolutely amazing that you can win one football game, and almost half the season will be forgotten,” Aguano said. “To tell you the truth, what’s the legacy of this 2022 class? Is to make sure that we carry over that Territorial Cup for six years because it’s never been done before. And so there’s a lot of positives on that, makes people forget a little bit about all the struggles that we’ve had in the previous weeks.”
Keeping the Cup in Tempe would mark the sixth consecutive ASU win, marking the longest streak by either side since the Sun Devils won nine consecutive duels between 1965 and 1973. But the task will not be easy, as the Wildcats have an explosive offense, led by sophomore quarterback Jayden de Laura, who is second in the Pac-12 with 316.8 yards passing per game.
“They have a dangerous quarterback,” Aguano said. “A kind of quarterback we face the whole year. We got to contain him in the pocket and they will probably throw the ball 40, 50 times. He makes great off-schedule throws, and we’re going to have to make sure that our eyes don’t get dirty, and we keep our hands on the receivers and watch our man.”
Aguano, who has lived in Arizona for almost two decades, understands the meaning behind the rivalry. The interim head coach has emphasized the importance of community since taking over the helm, which doesn’t change against Arizona.
“I mean you walk into another place, and especially if you’re fighting with a kid,” Aguano said. “In their model, it’s personal. It’s personal to us to stand up.”
After losing crucial players in the transfer portal, ASU was forced to go into the portal themselves and recruit new players. The roster consists of players from across the nation, disconnecting them from the traditions. Aguano and the football team’s video department took responsibility to help the team understand the tradition.
“I had to give him a little educational lesson today,” Aguano said. “And I thought it worked out because they were engaged and watched it. Kind of understand now what this Territorial Cup means.”
But those who decided to stay in Tempe understand the meaning behind the rivalry and are hoping to keep the winning streak alive.
“It’s very important,” fifth-year linebacker Merlin Robertson said. “Not just for that streak but it’s for the university. That’s rivalry week. I think that’s pretty serious. Gotta keep that cup here.”
Even with the rivalry, it would be easy for the Sun Devils to pack their bags and wave the white flag. After all, the outcome of Friday’s match has no effect on their bowl eligibility, having lost out on a bowl game in Week 11. But defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson believes the reason to play is straightforward.
“What do you play for,” Henderson asked ahead of the final home game against Oregon State. “I can make that very simple. You got two games. You play one for the seniors, you play one for the state. And our seniors deserve that. They deserve to go out in those two games as winners. … Sometimes it’s hard to get motivated when you’re not seeing yourself going to a bowl but realistically right now you got a chance to do two things that’s significant – is one’s for the seniors and then the other one is for the state. So we got a lot to play for.”
Aguano added: “If both teams don’t go to a bowl game, now it’s all about pride. They have something to prove, and we have something to prove. To make sure we keep the cup here. So, now it’s mano-a-mano and who’s going to be the best team. We’re going to go down there and try our best.”
The possibility of ASU losing its finale in Tucson is certainly realistic. Helping lead de Laura’s explosive play is sophomore wide receiver Dorian Singer, who has the second most yards receiving per game in the conference with 92.2. That idea has fueled redshirt fifth-year linebacker Kyle Soelle to motivate his team, entering the match with an “0-0” mentality.
“We got to have our best week of practice, our best week of preparation,” Soelle said following ASU’s 31-7 loss to Oregon State They’re a good team down there. If we don’t prepare right we’ll get embarrassed.
“Obviously that, but also play for yourself. No one wants to go out being a loser. I know I don’t. I think everyone’s gotta look in the mirror, you know, do you want to win or do you want to lose? We’re all competitors inside that locker room. We want to go out winners.”
As the Sun Devils prepare for the Wildcats, their mentality will be simple – to leave it out on the field.
“Having an attitude of being the same guy. The record is what it is,” Robertson said. “What are you going to do these last two? You just going to fold up and b**** out? Or are you going to step up and fight these last two, which one you going to do? I’m going to step up and fight, especially with my team and coaches.”
