ARIZONA FOOTBALL ARIZONA DAILY STAR | SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2019 | PAGE AB1

Editor: Ryan Finley | 520-573-4312 | [email protected] ARIZONA STATE 24, ARIZONA 14 CATS STUMBLE IN FINALE

PHOTOS BY JOSH GALEMORE / ARIZONA DAILY STAR Wildcats wide receiver Brian Casteel can’t come up with the catch as Arizona State’s Aashari Crosswell defends during Saturday’s game. UA lost 24-14 to finish the season 4-8. Arizona ends season with seventh straight loss

By Michael Lev ARIZONA DAILY STAR PAC-12 STANDINGS TEMPE — For the fourth year South Conf. Overall in a row, the Arizona Wildcats had Utah 8-1 11-1 a halftime lead over rival Arizona USC 7-2 8-4 State. Arizona St. 4-5 7-5 For the third year in a row, the UCLA 4-5 4-8 Cats squandered it. Colorado 3-6 5-7 It wasn’t nearly as dramatic Arizona 2-7 4-8 or heartbreaking as the previous North Conf. Overall two. But the net efect was the Oregon 8-1 10-2 same. California 4-5 7-5 Arizona lost to ASU 24-14 in Washington 4-5 7-5 front of an announced crowd of Oregon St. 4-5 5-7 54,074 Saturday night at Sun Washington St. 3-6 6-6 Devil Stadium. Stanford 3-6 4-8 Not only was it the Wildcats’ third consecutive loss in the se- Pac-12 Championship: No. 6 Utah ries, it was their seventh straight vs. No. 14 Oregon, 6 p.m. Friday in defeat to end the 2019 season. Santa Clara, Calif., Ch. 9 Arizona was 4-1 after de- feating Colorado on Oct. 5. The Wildcats were 2-0 in the Pac-12. ASU completed its second con- Who would have thought Arizona secutive 7-5 regular-season finish wouldn’t win another game? under Herm Edwards. That afternoon in Boulder The Sun Devils secured a bowl was also the last time Khalil Tate berth by upsetting Oregon last played like the week. candidate he once was purport- JOSH GALEMORE / ARIZONA DAILY STAR ASU tailback Eno Benjamin ed to be. Tate passed for a ca- Arizona State safety Cam Phillips tackles Arizona running back J.J. Taylor in the Sun Devils’ win Saturday night. earned his second straight Bob reer-high 404 yards that day. Moran Most Outstanding Player Since then, it’s been a roll- Kevin Sumlin handed the keys a career high, on three consecu- Did Sumlin’s QB rotation hin- Award, rushing 34 times for 168 ercoaster ride. Tate started but to Tate for the final game of his tive possessions bridging the sec- der the passing attack? It’s im- yards and two touchdowns. didn’t finish the next three games. up-and-down UA career. It start- ond and third quarters. Two ap- possible to say. But he opened Tate finished 22 of 38 for 228 Freshman Grant Gunnell started ed promisingly, with Tate throw- peared to be miscommunications himself up to second-guessing yards. He also rushed for a team- the next two, with Tate coming of ing a first-half touchdown pass to between him and his receivers. during a second season that didn’t high 78 yards. the bench. Arizona scored only 13 put the Wildcats on top. Then it The other came on a deflection of go according to plan. The UA defense played one of points against Oregon and Utah as went the other way. a pass tailback Bam Smith should Arizona’s 4-8 record is a game its losing streak grew and grew. Tate threw three interceptions, have caught. worse than last year’s 5-7 finish. See FOOTBALL, AB2 Heeke: Sumlin will return in 2020

ARIZONA DAILY STAR fired defensive coordinator Marcel TEMPE — Kevin Sumlin’s sec- UA’S 2019 SEASON Yates and linebackers coach John ond season as Arizona’s head foot- Overall record: 4-8; Pac-12 record: 2-7 Rushing midway through the sea- ball coach ended Saturday night Date Opponent Result son, a first in program history. And with a loss to Arizona State. Aug. 24 at Hawaii L, 38-45 nine days ago, Sumlin decided to Shortly after the game, athletic Sept. 7 N. Arizona W, 65-41 part ways with another assistant, director Dave Heeke announced Sept. 14 Texas Tech W, 28-14 defensive line coach Iona Uigalelei. that Sumlin will return for a third. Sept. 28 UCLA* W, 20-17 Arizona’s quarterbacks, thought “I want to make it real clear that Oct. 5 at Colorado* W, 35-30 to be a strength, struggled under as we embark into Year 3 of this Oct. 12 Washington* L, 27-51 Sumlin. rebuild program, Coach Sumlin is Oct. 19 at USC* L, 14-41 Senior Khalil Tate and true our head football coach,” Heeke Oct. 26 at Stanford* L, 31-41 freshman Grant Gunnell shared said around midnight in the hall- Nov. 2 Oregon State* L, 38-56 snaps for most of the final month, way outside one of the Sun Devil Nov. 16 at Oregon* L, 6-34 though it was Tate — the re- Stadium media rooms. “We’re not Nov. 23 Utah* L, 7-35 cord-breaking onetime Sports Il- where we want to be. This is not Nov. 30 at Arizona State* L, 14-24 lustrated cover boy — who played the spot we wanted to be in this * — Pac-12 game. Home games in bold extensively against the Sun Devils. point. But we’re committed … to The Wildcats fell 24-14, ending the process moving this thing for- their season with a 4-8 record. ward, moving into Year 3.” Pac-12 South opponents and 0-2 Sumlin preached patience in JOSH GALEMORE / ARIZONA DAILY STAR Sumlin is 9-15 since taking over against ASU. the moments following Saturday’s Arizona coach Kevin Sumlin will be back next season, UA athletic direc- for in January 2018, Sumlin’s second season in Tuc- tor Dave Heeke said after Saturday night’s game. The Wildcats finished and is a combined 3-7 against son has been a chaotic one. He See SUMLIN, AB2 4-8 this year and are 9-15 in Sumlin’s two seasons. ARIZONA FOOTBALL ARIZONA DAILY STAR | SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2019 | PAGE AB2

Editor: Ryan Finley | 520-573-4312 | [email protected] SEEN AND HEARD AT SUN DEVIL STADIUM Ice Bowl The temperature at Saturday’s kickof was 51 degrees, marking the coldest game at Sun Devil Stadium since ASU began keep- ing track in 2000. ASU’s 2013 game against Stanford was 54 degrees at kickof, while the 2007 Territorial Cup game against the UA was 58 degrees. The 1992 Territorial Cup game, played in Tucson, was the coldest game on record before Saturday. That game was 53 degrees at kickof. The Sun Devils’ Aug. 29 opener against Kent State was 102 de- grees at kickof — exactly twice as hot as Saturday’s game. Drought ends Midway through the second quarter, Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate connected with wide receiver Jamarye Joiner for a 48-yard touchdown that gave the Wildcats a 7-3 advantage. The lead was Arizona’s first since Oct. 26, when Arizona led at Stanford in a game it would eventually lose. Joiner is the second Tucsonan in four years to score a touch- down in the Territorial Cup game. Former Salpointe Catholic High School player Cam Denson returned an interception for a JOSH GALEMORE / ARIZONA DAILY STAR touchdown in the 2015 game. Jamarye Joiner scores on his 48-yard touchdown in the first half that gave UA a 7-3 lead. He also scored on a 2-yard catch in the fourth quarter. Another Zendejas What’s a Territorial Cup game first half, advancing to the ASU 24. without a Zendejas kicking? FOOTBALL But on first-and-10, Tate threw his ARIZONA ARIZONA ST ASU’s Christian Zendejas Continued from Page AB1 first interception. Freshman receiv- became the fifth member of the er Boobie Curry didn’t look back for 14 24 family to be a part of the Terri- its best halves of the season in the the ball, which sailed past him into torial Cup game on Saturday. opening 30 minutes, limiting the the arms of ASU cornerback Jack GAME SUMMARY Zendejas joined the Sun Devils Sun Devils to six points and 146 Jones. as a walk-on in 2017, earning the yards. The Sun Devils advanced to the Arizona 0 7 0 7—14 THIRD QUARTER starting job this season. He made But the turnovers, two missed UA 6 after the interception. But with Arizona State 0 6 15 3—24 • ASU: Benjamin 6 run (Zendejas his first eight attempts, including field goals and an inability to stop only five seconds left in the half, Ed- kick), 9:30. Drive: 11 plays, 75 a game-winner at Michigan Benjamin in the second half doomed wards elected to kick a field goal. yards, 5:30 State, and was rewarded with a the Wildcats. Zendejas’ 24-yarder at the buzzer SECOND QUARTER ASU 13, Arizona 7 scholarship. A pair of Benjamin touchdown trimmed Arizona’s lead to one. • ASU: Zendejas 33 field goal, 13:07. Zendejas is the son of former runs — the second following Tate’s That interception turned out to • ASU: Benjamin 1 run (Daniels run), ASU kicker Luis Zendejas, who third interception — gave ASU a be pivotal. Arizona could have led Drive: 6 plays, 25 yards, 2:07 1:20. Drive: 7 plays, 49 yards, 2:45 played in the NFL for the Vikings, 21-7 lead through three quarters. 10-3 or 14-3 entering the half. By ASU 3, Arizona 0 ASU 21, Arizona 7 Cowboys and Eagles. Christian’s Cristian Zendejas’ third field goal early in the third quarter, ASU had • Arizona: Joiner 48 pass from Tate uncle Max and cousin Alex both — following Lucas Havrisik’s sec- the lead again. FOURTH QUARTER kicked for the UA; his other uncle ond miss — made it 24-7 with 7:16 The Sun Devils got the ball to (Havrisik kick), 7:04. drive: 6 plays, • ASU: Zendejas 26 field goal, 7:16. Alan, Luis’ brother, was ASU’s remaining. start the third quarter and marched 83 yards, 2:13 Drive: 12 plays, 72 yards, 6:29 kicker from 1987-89. Tate connected with Jamarye 75 yards in 11 plays for the go-ahead ASU 24, Arizona 7 Christian accounted for all Joiner — who had a career night — touchdown. A la the Wildcats in Arizona 7, ASU 3 • Arizona: Joiner 2 pass from Tate six of ASU’s first-half points on for a 2-yard touchdown with 4:48 the second half of the 2016 match- • ASU: Zendejas 24 field goal, 0:00. Saturday. remaining to make it 24-14. The en- up, ASU didn’t throw a single pass. (Havrisik kick), 4:48. Drive: 9 plays, suing onside kick attempt was un- Benjamin capped the drive with a Drive: 7 plays, 69 yards, 1:50 66 yards, 2:20 The big number successful. bruising 6-yard run to put the Sun Arizona 7, ASU 6 ASU 24, Arizona 14 The game was scoreless after the Devils up 13-7. 8 Years since the Wildcats last first quarter. Arizona’s best scoring Tate’s second pick came on the beat ASU in Tempe. Nick Foles chance came on its second series. next series. was in his senior year as UA’s Tate’s 29-yard scramble on third- He threw the ball deep down the GAME STATISTICS quarterback and was and-15 advanced the ball to the ASU right sideline toward Cedric Peter- the interim head coach after 36-yard line. The drive stalled at son, who stopped running as the ball TEAM STATISTICS UA ASU Berryhill III 1 7 0 7 7.0 was fired. the 29. On fourth-and-3, Sumlin sailed over his head. Jones again was FIRST DOWNS 19 23 Brightwell 1 6 0 6 6.0 elected to try a 47-yard field goal. the beneficiary. NET YARDS PASSING 228 104 Peterson 1 5 0 5 5.0 ADOT chiming in? Havrisik missed it wide left. After a three-and-out forced by Comp-Att. 22-38 12-19 KICKING FG LG XP Pts Havrisik 0-2 — 2-2 2 Arizona Department of Trans- Later in the period, Arizona the UA defense — which deserved Yards per attempt 6.0 5.5 portation posted digital signs against faced fourth-and-short, a better fate — Tate threw a per- KICK RETURNS No Yds Avg LG TD Yards per completion 10.4 8.7 along Interstate 10 between needing 2 yards from the UA 40. fect pass to Smith on third-and-9. Taylor 3 67 22.3 30 0 Had intercepted 3 0 Tucson and Tempe on Saturday. Sumlin decided to go for it this time, But Smith couldn’t handle it, and Curry 1 22 22.0 22 0 The message: “Be a Territorial but Evan Fields got pressure on Tate, the ball caromed to ASU linebacker NET YARDS RUSHING 155 234 PUNT RETURNS No Yds Avg LG TD Driver, Use Your Blinker.” forcing an incomplete pass. Merlin Robertson. Rushing attempts 32 55 Joiner 1 6 6.0 6 0 ASU quickly advanced into the Yards per rush 4.8 4.3 PUNTING No Yds Avg Long TB -20 Grass field problems red zone on a 25-yard pass from Extra points TOTAL YARDS 383 338 Ostendorp 2 64 32.0 39 0 0 The Wildcats still managed to Jayden Daniels to Brandon Aiyuk. Total ofensive plays 70 74 Aragon 1 56 56.0 56 1 0 make their presence felt before But a sack by Justin Belknap — the • Arizona again shufed its of- Yards per play 5.5 4.6 Saturday’s kickof. senior’s first of the season — de- fensive line, welcoming back four ARIZONA STATE Call it the Sparky stomp. railed the drive. Zendejas’ 33-yard players who had been out because Third-down conversions 7-15 7-16 PASSING Com-Att Yds TD Int ASU’s field management team field goal gave the Sun Devils a 3-0 of injuries. Jordan Morgan, Josh Fourth-down conversions 0-1 0-1 Daniels 12-19 104 0 0 painted a new logo at midfield for lead with 13:07 left in the first half. McCauley, Cody Creason and Pai- Penalties-yards 8-90 4-45 RUSHING Att Yds TD Long Avg the Territorial Cup of the Sparky After an exchange of punts, the ton Fears returned to the lineup. Fumbles lost 0 0 head with the outline of the state UA ofense — which had been qui- Creason had missed the previous Benjamin 34 168 2 22 4.9 Time of possession 25:31 34:29 of Arizona underneath it. et since homecoming — finally got five games, McCauley the past two. Daniels 12 62 0 25 5.2 The Wildcats weren’t fans. The going. Tate’s 20-yard pass to Jalen Morgan and Fears sat out last week. Aiyuk 1 6 0 6 6.0 players went out on the field Johnson converted a third-and-6. The Wildcats haven’t started the ARIZONA Carter 3 4 0 5 1.3 during pregame warmups and Tate then hit Joiner for a 48-yard same ofensive line two weeks in a PASSING Com-Att Yds TD Int Williams 1 2 0 2 2.0 dug small divots on the logo. touchdown. Joiner notched career row since the first two games of Pac- Tate 22-38 228 2 3 RECEIVING No Yds TD Long Avg Luckily for the Wildcats, ASU highs with seven catches, 140 yards 12 play. RUSHING Att Yds TD Long Avg Aiyuk 5 67 0 25 13.4 won’t be able get even. The and two TDs in his first Territorial • Morgan was reinjured at some Tate 11 78 0 29 7.1 Benjamin 3 14 0 10 4.7 UA plays on FieldTurf, which is Cup. point in the first half and didn’t play Williams 3 13 0 6 4.3 practically divot-proof. The score gave Arizona a 7-3 lead the rest of the way. Taylor 14 48 0 11 3.4 Hudson 1 10 0 10 10.0 — its first in a game since the first • Defensive tackle Myles Tapu- Brightwell 5 22 0 10 4.4 KICKING FG LG XP Pts Onward quarter against Stanford on Oct. 26. soa (undisclosed) did not suit up. Smith 2 7 0 6 3.5 Zendejas 3-3 33 1-1 10 Eagle-eyed TV-watchers might It was also Tate’s first touchdown Tapusoa started the previous two RECEIVING No Yds TD Long Avg KICK RETURNS No Yds Avg LG TD have noticed “O2V” painted on pass since that game. games at nose guard. He recorded 12 Joiner 7 140 2 48 20.0 both 25-yard lines at Sun Devil The Wildcats had a chance to tackles and one sack in his first sea- None Johnson 1 20 0 20 20.0 Stadium. The meaning: “Onward expand their advantage late in the son as a Wildcat. PUNT RETURNS No Yds Avg LG TD to victory,” a line from ASU’s fight Taylor 3 19 0 18 6.3 None song. “Maroon and Gold” goes, Casteel 6 18 0 10 3.0 PUNTING No Yds Avg Long TB -20 in part: Cunningham 2 13 0 9 6.5 Turk 5 246 49.2 56 1 3 Cheer, cheer for A–S–U. Fight for the Old Maroon. For it’s hail, hail, the gang’s all here back and do a bunch of diferent And it’s onward to victory! SUMLIN things diferently. But how you Yes, we know it doesn’t rhyme. Continued from Page AB1 respond to this is going to be ex- tremely important.” First-half leads loss, saying that he understands Heeke said Sumlin “will do Arizona led 7-6 at halftime Sat- fans’ frustration but urging the things that need to be done urday, marking the fourth time in them to trust the process. Gun- to get Arizona back on track as as many years that they’ve taken nell, a two-time Sumlin recruit a program.” Sumlin and most an advantage into the break in (at Texas A&M and Arizona) is of the UA’s assistants will hit the Territorial Cup game. expected to take over at quar- the road directly from Tempe. Arizona went on to lose two of terback in 2020, and the Wild- There’s no time to waste: The its previous three games, losing cats have some promising young early signing period begins lat- 42-30 in 2017 and 41-40 last sea- players on ofense. Arizona’s er this month, and the Wildcats son after leading by 10 and eight defense will take on the identity have just 13 verbal commit- points at the break, respectively. of its new coordinator, whoever ments. The Wildcats held a 28-14 half- that is, and his fellow assistants. “We have no reason not to be time lead in 2016, and went on to “We have a process that I be- committed to Coach Sumlin, to win 56-35. Arizona wide receiver Cedric Peterson tears up following the team’s loss. UA lieve in, and that our players be- Kevin, and the process he has — Justin Spears and Alec White has lost three straight games to ASU in the Territorial Cup. lieve in,” he said. “… You can’t go put in place,” Heeke said.