Sun Devils dominate for berth in the Pac-12 title game
Arizona State won 28 games in coach Todd Graham's first three seasons with the pinnacle being the 2013 regular season.
After a 3-2 start that included a controversial win over Wisconsin and losses to Stanford and Notre Dame, ASU reeled off seven consecutive wins to capture the Pac-12 South title.
By dominating Arizona 58-21 in the Territorial Cup five years ago, ASU also secured home field for the Pac-12 Championship Game, then played on campus. So instead of the rivalry game Nov. 30 being the home finale, there was another game at Sun Devil Stadium on Dec. 7.
Star running back Marion Grice did not play against Arizona because of a leg injury, but sophomore D.J. Foster was a quality replacement, rushing for 124 yards and 2 touchdowns. Foster had been playing primarily as a slot receiver.
The Sun Devils had way too much on offense for the Wildcats. Quarterback Taylor Kelly threw for 274 yards, Jaelen Strong had 142 yards receiving, tight end De'Marieya Nelson rushed for 2 touchdowns and freshman Zane Gonzalez kicked three field goals.
"I had a lot of confidence in the guys that were going to step up and (fill) that role," Kelly said. "Some people forget how good a player (Foster) is and how he runs the football."
ASU led 30-7 at halftime and put any remaining doubt to rest when Damarious Randall returned an interception 67 yards for a touchdown.
Arizona dropped to 7-5 then picked up its eighth win by crushing Boston College 42-19 in the Independence Bowl.
ASU went the other direction, admittedly against tougher competition after the Territorial Cup. The Sun Devils lost for a second time to Stanford, 38-14, in the Pac-12 title game then fell 37-23 to Texas Tech in the Holiday Bowl for a 10-4 season.