The “Duel in the Desert” turned out to be more of a massacre in a 49-7 blowout of the Wildcats by their in-state rival Sun Devils. Arizona State, the team who the Big-12 Media pundits decided in the preseason would come in last, will be playing this coming Saturday for the conference championship against No. 18 Iowa State. The Big-12 was the most tightly contested conference by far with nine teams still in contention going into the final weekend. Everybody could have gone home at half-time in this one as the Sun Devils wasted no time in making sure there was going to be no doubt as to their participation in the championship game. While holding the Wildcats scoreless, they scored four straight touchdowns to start the game before taking a one possession break and then scoring another right before the half to be up 35-0 at the half.
The Wildcats got the ball to start the 3rd Qtr and finally got on the board at the end of an 8 play 75 yard drive with a 28 yard TD pass by their Sophomore QB Noah Fafita to his favorite target, Junior WR Tetairoa McMillan, to make it a 35-7 game. The Sun Devils would miss on a field goal attempt to extend their lead but would score again on their second and third possessions of the half. First on a 31 yard TD pass from their Freshman QB Sam Leavitt to Senior WR Xavier Guillory and then again on a 64 yard TD pass to Freshman WR Derek Eusebio from Senior QB Trenton Bourguet to make it 49-7 where it would stay after a Wildcat interception and punt on their final two possessions of the game.
For Arizona, QB Noah Fafita connected on 14-of-29 for 126 yards, 1 TD, and no interceptions while on the ground Freshman RB Kedrick Reescano and Senior Quali Conley collectively rushed 22 times for 81 of the teams 84 yard total on the ground. For the Sun Devils, Leavitt was 17-of-22 for 291 yards, 3 TD’s and no interceptions while backup Trenton Bourguet connected on 2-of-3 for 71 yards and 1 TD. On the ground Senior RB Cam Skattebo and Sophomore Kyson Brown collectively rushed 29 times for 277 of the teams 284 yards with Skattebo picking up all three rushing TD’s. Sophomore WR Jordyn Tyson led the way in the air with 8 receptions for 143 yards and one of four TD’s with Eusebio, Guillory and Junior TE Chamon Mateyer picking up the other three. Arizona State led in first downs, 24-15; passing yards, 362-126; total yards of offense, 646-210; time-of-possession and 4th down efficiency, 66% to 0. We’ll see the Sun Devils this coming Saturday at 9:00am on ABC taking on No. 18 Iowa State for the Big-12 Conference Championship. As far as Arizona goes, don’t look for them until Saturday August 30th of next year when they’ll be hosting the Rainbow Warriors in Tucson.