Dec. 6, 2008
TUCSON, Ariz. -- By Carmen Vitali, ASU Media Relations
Despite having the lead at the half, the Sun Devils fell to the rival Arizona Wildcats 31-10 in Tucson on Saturday and ended their season at 5-7 overall, 4-5 in the Pac-10. It was ASU's first loss in the Territorial Cup game since 2004.
Arizona struck first with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Willie Tuitama to Rob Gronkowski late in the first quarter.
With the Wildcats leading 7-3 in the second quarter, Arizona punter Keenyn Crier was ruled down when his right knee touched the ground while taking the snap, giving the Sun Devils the ball at the Arizona 19. ASU capitalized on the opportunity, as Rudy Carpenter threw a two-yard touchdown pass to tight end Andrew Pettes, and an Omar Bolden interception in the end zone with under a minute left in the second quarter sent the Sun Devils into halftime with a 10-7 lead.
However, the momentum shifted in the third quarter. After the Sun Devils went three-and-out on their first possession of the second half, the Wildcats drove down the field and Tuitama connected with Delashaun Dean for a 10-yard touchdown that put Arizona back on top.
Wildcat cornerback Marquis Hundley intercepted Carpenter on the Devils' next drive and returned it 47 yards, leading to a 12-yard touchdown run by Nic Grigsby that put Arizona up 21-10.
The Wildcats scored their third touchdown of the quarter two minutes later, as Mike Thomas returned a punt 52 yards for a score, and Arizona capped off the scoring with a 49-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
Tuitama threw for 284 yards and two scores, while Grigsby led the Arizona ground game with 114 yards on 22 carries. Thomas was named the game's MVP with nine catches for 75 yards to go along with his punt return touchdown.
ASU struggled offensively, finishing the game with only 12 first downs and 162 total yards.
Senior quarterback Rudy Carpenter was 13-of-31 for 124-yards, one touchdown and one interception. He closes out his Sun Devil career with 43 straight starts, and his 26 wins tie him with Dennis Sproul for the second-most by an ASU starting quarterback in school history.
Keegan Herring had 31 yards on 14 carries while Kyle Williams and Michael Jones had three catches each to lead the Sun Devil receivers.
Mike Nixon had eight tackles to lead the ASU defense, and Morris Wooten and Troy Nolan added seven each. Dexter Davis had a sack in the game, giving him 11 on the season.