Deal Wildcats in: Arizona headed for Vegas after exorcising Devils (2008)

Arizona's football players were exiting Arizona Stadium following their 31-10 win over Arizona State when the thank-yous started.

"Thank you, Robby!" one fan screamed at tight end Rob Gronkowski.

"Thank you, No. 57," another bellowed at walk-on linebacker Jeremy Samoy.

"Number 75!" a third fan screamed at Joe Longacre, "Thanks."

The Arizona Wildcats took back the Territorial Cup, officially ended their decade-long streak of mediocrity, and gave fans something to celebrate Saturday, routing rival Arizona State behind a rousing, second-half comeback.

Following the game, Arizona (7-5, 5-4) accepted a bid to the Dec. 20 Las Vegas Bowl. The Wildcats will take on a Mountain West Conference team - likely BYU - in their first bowl game since 1998.

"It's like the start of a new era," defensive tackle Donald Horton said, adjusting his new Las Vegas Bowl cap. "Who knows? The next 10 years could be ours."

The Las Vegas Bowl, in less than two weeks, sets up a big day for Arizona fans. The Wildcats' men's basketball team takes on host UNLV at 1 p.m. followed by the bowl game at 6 p.m.

On Saturday, Arizona needed just one good quarter to knock Arizona State (5-7, 4-5) out of the game and keep the Sun Devils from a bowl game for the first time since 2003.

The Wildcats scored 21 third-quarter points to overcome a 10-7 Arizona State lead and take control of a game that often teetered on the brink of disaster.

Mike Thomas capped the scoring binge with a 52-yard punt return that made it 28-10. Thomas caught Thomas Weber's punt on a few bounces at Arizona's 48-yard line. He started right, then cut left and toward the sideline. Sprung by a big block by Derick Barkum and a wall of defenders, Thomas punched in a game-changing touchdown. The Wildcats' senior wide receiver and special teams star thrust his fist into the air as he crossed the goal line.

"Mike has been the big-play guy his whole career," UA coach Mike Stoops said. "When Mike plays well, we play well."

The Wildcats started the period by making a defensive stop. Quarterback Willie Tuitama then led the Wildcats on an 11-play, 70-yard scoring drive. He connected with wide receiver Delashaun Dean on a 10-yard slant route for the score. Jason Bondzio's PAT gave the Cats a 14-10 lead.

Arizona's defense then chipped in. Cornerback Marquis Hundley intercepted Rudy Carpenter on the UA's 20-yard line and returned it 47 yards, setting up another score.

"Marquis' pick was huge," Stoops said.

Tailback Nicolas Grigbsy then made it 21-10 with a 12-yard touchdown run. His jump-cut at the 5-yard line sprung a wide-open running lane.

Grigsby finished with 114 rushing yards on 22 carries. Tuitama hit on 25 of 37 passes for 284 yards and two touchdowns. Gronkowski led the team with six catches for 95 yards.

The Wildcats shared Saturday night's victory with their beleaguered fan base - and with a nod to the past.

Fans began jumping the protective barriers and storming the field with 3 minutes 49 seconds remaining, just as the UA marching band belted out "Viva Las Vegas" for the first time. They stayed on the sidelines, packed as many as six-deep, until the final gun sounded.

Arizona's players and former players - like Chargers cornerback Antoine Cason - stayed to shake hands, pose for pictures and revel in some rare good fortune.

They piled into the home locker room to sing "Bear Down, Arizona" before heading back onto the field to pose for a team photo.

Arizona could have qualified for a bowl game in each of the last two seasons by beating Arizona State.

The Wildcats' luck changed this year. And they're headed to Vegas.

"It hasn't been an easy journey to overcome," Stoops said, "but I think we may be there." 

Ryan Finley