Arizona vs Arizona State Football Rivalry

The football rivalry between Arizona and Arizona State, widely referred to as the Duel in the Desert, stands as one of the most celebrated and intense rivalries in collegiate sports. This competition began in 1899 and features a showdown between the Arizona Wildcats and the Arizona State Sun Devils, representing the University of Arizona and the Arizona State University in the Big 12 Conference.

Each year, this game is a significant event for both institutions and their supporters. The winning team secures the prized Territorial Cup, which is acknowledged by the NCAA as college football's oldest rivalry trophy. The Duel in the Desert represents more than merely a contest on the field; it reflects state pride, institutional spirit, and many years of competitive history.

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Arizona vs Arizona State Football Rivalry History

The Arizona vs. Arizona State football rivalry, celebrated as the battle for the Territorial Cup, is one of the oldest and most intense matchups in college football. The rivalry dates back to November 30, 1899, in the Arizona Territory, before Arizona became a state. That year, the University of Arizona (UA) in Tucson played the Normal School of Arizona in Tempe, which later evolved into Arizona State University (ASU), as part of the Arizona Territorial Football League Championship.

The Wildcats defeated the Normals 11-2 to claim the inaugural Territorial Cup Trophy on November 30, 1899, which is now recognized by the NCAA as the oldest rivalry trophy in the sport.

Initially sporadic, the rivalry intensified after ASU gained university status and joined major conferences, including the Border Conference, the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), and later the Pac-10 (now Pac-12), where both teams have competed. Over the decades, the series has been marked by memorable games, iconic plays, and bitter disputes, reflecting the broader competition between the schools in athletics.

Arizona vs Arizona State Football Rivalry Head-to-Head Stats

As of their most recent game on November 30, 2024, Arizona leads the all-time series with 51 wins, 45 losses, and one tie. Arizona holds the longest win streak at 11 games (1932–1948), while Arizona State's longest streak lasted nine games (1965–1973). The largest margin of victory was a 67-0 win by Arizona in 1946.

Here are the head-to-head stats for the Arizona vs. Arizona State football rivalry:

Arizona vs Arizona State Rivalry Winner Year-by-Year

Here is the Arizona vs. Arizona State football rivalry winner year-by-year list that highlights the outcomes of one of college football's most intense and storied rivalries. As of the August 2025 matchup of these two teams, the Arizona Wildcats are leading with 51 wins.

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