Territorial Cup

Territorial Cup. The Territorial Cup is the trophy awarded to the winner of the annual college football rivalry game between the University of Arizona Wildcats and Arizona State University Sun Devils. Recognized by the NCAA and the Guinness World Records as the oldest rivalry trophy in American football, the cup symbolizes the intense intrastate competition for athletic and academic supremacy within the state. The game is the centerpiece of a broader multi-sport rivalry between the two institutions, generating significant statewide interest and media coverage from outlets like the Arizona Republic and Tucson Citizen.

History

The rivalry originated in the territorial period of Arizona, before it achieved statehood in 1912. The first football game was played in 1899 in Tucson between the University of Arizona and what was then the Arizona Territorial Normal School in Tempe. Early contests were sporadic, with games often organized by student groups or local athletic associations rather than formal athletic departments. The rivalry intensified significantly after Arizona State University achieved university status in 1958, escalating competition for state funding, academic prestige, and athletic talent. Key figures in fostering the rivalry include former Arizona coach J.F. "Pop" McKale and Arizona State coach Frank Kush, whose tenures cemented the game's importance. The trophy itself was discovered in 1980 and subsequently authenticated, leading to its official adoption.

Trophy

The original Territorial Cup is a sterling silver trophy made by Reed & Barton silversmiths, commissioned in 1899 for a mere $25. It was intended to be awarded to the champion of the Arizona Territorial Football League, which included the two schools and other local teams like the Phoenix Indian School. After the 1899 season, it was forgotten in the basement of the First Congregational Church in Tempe for over eight decades. Its rediscovery prompted authentication by historians and the NCAA, which confirmed its status. A permanent replica is displayed at the Arizona Historical Society museum in Tempe, while the winning university's athletic department retains the original trophy for the year. The trophy's design features ornate engraving and is considered a priceless artifact of early American football history in the Southwestern United States.

Game results

The series has been played nearly every year since 1899, with interruptions primarily due to global events like World War I and the 1918 flu pandemic, as well as a dispute in 1914. The game traditionally concludes the regular season for both teams, often coinciding with the American holiday of Thanksgiving weekend. Victories have frequently decided conference championships, especially during both schools' tenures in the Border Conference and later the Pacific-10 Conference (now the Pac-12 Conference). The location alternates annually between Arizona Stadium in Tucson and Mountain America Stadium (formerly Sun Devil Stadium) in Tempe. Results are meticulously recorded by both athletic departments and chronicled in publications like the NCAA record book.

Notable games

Several contests stand out for their dramatic impact on the series and college football history. The 1958 "St. Patrick's Day Massacre" was a bench-clearing brawl that led to suspensions and heightened animosity. The 1975 game featured a famous last-second, 57-yard Hail Mary pass from Arizona State quarterback Dennis Sproul to John Jefferson to secure a victory. In 1982, a last-minute field goal by Arizona kicker Max Zendejas defeated a Sun Devils team ranked in the Top 10. The 1996 matchup saw Jake Plummer lead Arizona State to a dramatic overtime win en route to the 1997 Rose Bowl. More recently, the 2020 game was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, marking a rare break in the modern series.

Series statistics

As of the 2023 contest, the University of Arizona holds a narrow overall series lead of 49 wins to 45, with one tie recorded in 1987. The longest winning streak belongs to Arizona, which won nine consecutive games from 1949 to 1957. The largest margin of victory was Arizona's 75–0 win in 1903. When played in Tucson, the Wildcats hold a significant advantage, while games in Tempe have been more evenly split. The rivalry has produced numerous NFL draft picks, All-Americans, and participants in major bowl games such as the Rose Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, and Holiday Bowl. The game consistently draws high television ratings on networks like Fox Sports and ESPN and is a major event for the statewide alumni bases of both the University of Arizona and Arizona State University. Category:College football rivalry games in the United States Category:Arizona State Sun Devils football Category:Arizona Wildcats football Category:Sports trophies and awards in the United States