ASU @ Arizona Saturday 11/30 1:30p

[SeattleCardinal]

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[Mainstreet]

Some history on the vitriolic rivalry between ASU and Arizona by Chris Karpman:


https://x.com/ChrisKarpman
Chris Karpman
https://x.com/ChrisKarpman
@ChrisKarpman

Anyone who has experienced the Territorial Cup understands that it is especially vitriolic, but why is it that way?

In 1958, Arizona State College received its long sought-after name change to Arizona State University when Proposition 200 passed by a 2-1 margin, but not before the referendum was vigorously campaigned against by supporters of the University of Arizona, who wanted that school to remain the lone university in the state, just as it had been for 73 years.

When ASU opened Sun Devil Stadium in the fall of 1958 and the vote looming, vandals broke into the venue before the team’s first game of the year and burned “No on 200” into the grass.

It was legendary Frank Kush’s first year as ASU's head coach.

Prop 200 was passed overwhelmingly in large part to the regional visibility of head coach Dan Devine’s team the previous season, which went 10-0 and coincided with school president Dr. Grady Gammage’s public campaign to get the initiative on the state ballet the following year.

The measure was defeated in just one county, Pima, where Tucson is located. Historians say ASU and UA officials followed each other around the state waging battle for and against Prop 200, which significantly ramped up the animosity felt between the two schools.

ASU’s success in 1957 helped justify a $115,000 expenditure made late that year to purchase land north of the campus to build a stadium that would eventually replace 15,000 seat Goodwin Stadium, which was on campus.

In its final season at Goodwin Stadium before moving to the then-30,000-seat Sun Devil Stadium, the Devine-led squad not only went undefeated but also led the nation in total offense and scoring, with an average of 39.7 points per game.

ASU shut out four of the teams it faced in that campaign and held four others to seven or fewer points. Its closest margin of victory was nine points in a 35-26 win over Hardin-Simmons of Abilene, Texas. The Sun Devils finished the season ranked No. 11 nationally, inside of the Top 20 for the first time in school history.

That season and the ensuing referendum battle ushered in Kush, ASU’s most celebrated coach, a new stadium, and for many, a true hatred of their rival in Tucson.


2:42 PM · Nov 25, 2024

 

[Mainstreet]

What I remember most that stirred the rivalry is what became known as the "Ultimatum Bowl."

It later helped give birth to the Fiesta Bowl.

See below:

By Douglas Towne November 28, 2020, Phoenix Magazine:

It was 1968, and a lot was riding on the Territorial Cup. UA and ASU, then members of the Western Athletic Conference, had 8-1 and 7-2 records, respectively. The victor would receive a berth to the Sun Bowl, the first postseason bid for either squad since 1951. But UA snatched the football away from ASU at the last second, as Lucy had so often done to Charlie Brown.

A few days before the game, UA football coach Darrell Mudra – worried about losing to ASU, and for good reason – demanded the Sun Bowl extend an invitation to his team, win or lose, or they would refuse a subsequent offer. The power play worked, and the Wildcats were invited to the El Paso game. In response, ASU played the Territorial Cup game with a vengeance, routing UA 30-7 in Tucson, in what became known as the “Ultimatum Bowl.” ASU head coach Frank Kush called the victory “probably my most satisfying ever.” (The Sun Bowl was not obligated to take the WAC champion, which turned out to be Wyoming.)

https://www.phoenixmag.com/2020/11/28/gridiron-politics-the-history-of-the-fiesta-bowl/

 

[Dback Jon]

ASU by 25

 

[AZCB34]

ASU by 25

In the first half. Then they’ll play with their food and let UofA back in then we’ll have a close nail biting finish

 

[Mainstreet]

In the first half. Then they’ll play with their food and let UofA back in then we’ll have a close nail biting finish

I can tell you have read the book.