For the 98th time, Arizona faced Arizona State for the Territorial Cup. Arizona had nothing to play for but pride. The Sun Devils were playing for a spot in the Big 12 championship.
After losing two straight to the Wildcats, ASU would reclaim the Territorial Cup in a 49-7 victory over Arizona.
The first season under head coach Brent Brennan would finish in utter embarrassment.
Here are the grades for the offense, defense, special teams, and coaching:
Offense: D-
After a quick pass to Tetairoa McMillan, and a pass interference call, the first drive for Arizona stalled out.
Similar story on the second drive, one first down pass to McMillan and that was about it. Anthony Garcia did make his first appearance of the season on a one yard rush.
Even with help from the special teams unit, Arizona could not produce any offense in the first half.
Ending the first half scoreless, Arizona had 57 total yards at the half.
The offense did show a bit of fight coming out of the locker room. Noah Fifita found McMillan for a 28-yard touchdown.
However, that would be all the offense would produce on the day. Late in the game, Cole Tannenbaum would throw an interception.
Fifita finished 14-29 for 126 yards and a touchdown. McMillan finished with six receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown catch.
Defense: F
It was a rough start for the defense. ASU went 75 yards on the first drive and finished with a two yard touchdown from Cam Skattebo.
The second drive was not any better. After a 59 yard pass play, Skattebo punched it in again to take an early 14-0 lead for ASU.
Nothing would change on the third drive of the game. Even after a sack by Taye Brown and Lance Keneley, ASU marched right down the field and extended the lead to 21-0.
Needless to say, ASU would also score on their fourth drive. Skattebo would have a hat trick by the end of the first half.
Right before the end of the half, Sam Leavitt would throw his second touchdown and the defense would also lose Tacario Davis on the drive. ASU had 390 total yards by halftime.
There were no adjustments made in the second half, as ASU took their first possession of the second half all the way down the field. However, ASU missed their field goal attempt off the right upright.
Not long into the fourth quarter, Leavitt would throw his third touchdown of the game.
Adding insult to injury, the defense even let backup quarterback Trenton Bourget throw a 64 yard touchdown.
Brown led Arizona with ten tackles, but overall the defense allowed 646 total yards.
Special teams: D-
The best play of the day on special teams came from Jeremiah Patterson on a 61 yard kickoff return.
At the start of the second quarter, Arizona would attempt a 50 yard field goal and it would be good.
However, the Wildcats were missing the eleventh man which would cause a false start as he ran onto the field late. Tyler Loop would miss the second attempt.
Coaching: F
It was clear from the onset of this game that Arizona was outmatched on almost all levels. From play calling, to motivation, to overall effort.
There was little to no fight from this team. Mistakes galore, Arizona ended its season in probably the most brutal way possible.
Not only did it finish way below expectations, it got obliterated against their rivals. There was not a moment in the game where it felt like Arizona had a chance at an upset.
Almost every single player on Arizona’s sideline looked like they did not want to be there. Tackling was not a thing on the defensive side, and the only offense Arizona could produce was McMillan.
When you’re already down 14-0 and you have a third and long, I’m not sure calling a screen is the best option. I would personally go with a target to probably the best receiver in the country.
On the first field goal attempt of the game, the kick was good, but you have the eleventh guy running on late causing a false start. The next attempt was no good.
The execution of plays like that pretty much sums up the season for the Wildcats.
Even 60 year old senior defensive assistant Chuck Cecil showed more fight pregame than any other player did.
He head butted Owen Goss, while he had his helmet on and started bleeding from the forehead.
The offense would finally find the end zone, and the defense would get a stop. Then you’re facing fourth and short on the next drive already down 28 points, but you decide to punt.
At that point in the game, you have limited possessions left, so why not go for it.
There’s not much more that could be said, other than this was poor effort from the players and coaches. Some serious soul searching needs to be done going into next season.