Editor’s note: This year, UA and ASU football will face off for the 100th time in what has come to be known as the Territorial Cup game. Leading up to that Nov. 28 matchup, which will be played right here in Tucson, we will be republishing the Arizona Daily Star’s coverage of each rivalry game — one a day — going back to their first meeting in 1899. Tune in daily for a blast from the past.
Some important things to keep in mind: This isn’t the 100th anniversary; the upcoming meeting will be the 100th time the teams have gone head-to-head. There were a number of years that they didn’t compete against one another. The Wildcats lead the all-time series vs. the Sun Devils, 52-46-1.
Tempe Teachers Defeat U. A. Wildcats in One-Sided Game
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Matchup: Game 11
Date: Oct. 31, 1931
Where: Phoenix
Winner: ASU, 19-6
What was reported at the time:
By CHUCK KINTER
IRISH FIELD, TEMPE, Ariz., Oct. 31.— (Special to the Arizona Daily Star) —The Arizona State Teachers College found the end of the rainbow in this stadium tonight, and the pot of gold was a well-earned 19 to 6 victory over the University of Arizona Wildcats.
It was the first time this Tempe institution has defeated Arizona in football in a competition which dates back to territorial days.
The intricacies of the Warner system put the Wildcats on the run in the first quarter. The Bulldogs scored two touchdowns in the opening quarter and added another in the second. Arizona's lone score came in the third period.
A crowd of more than 3,000 persons, which officials announced was a record for this stadium, saw the game.
The irresistible attack of the Bulldogs was built around Norris Steverson, triple threat halfback, who did most of the ball carrying, kicking and passing. He also turned in the longest run of the day, an 82-yard return of a kickoff.
The bewildering offense of the Warner football system introduced here last year by Coach Ted Shipkey, completely baffled the Wildcats in the first half and only in the second half did the Arizona defense become powerful enough to hurl back the Bulldogs from the goal line.
In addition to their scoring drives, which were helped by several brilliant passes over the heads of the Cat defensive men, the Bulldogs penetrated twice in the second half to within the Arizona 10-yard marker without scoring.
Statistics of the game compiled by Azzi Ratem showed that Tempe gained 193 yards from running plays and Arizona 194 yards. Arizona advanced the ball 50 yards from passes and Tempe 128. Long runbacks of kicks helped Tempe.
Arizona punted 11 times for an average of 26 yards. Tempe kicked eight times for 45 yards. Long rolls of the ball after well-placed kicks by Steverson were a big asset to Tempe.
The Wildcats tried 20 passes, completing six. Eleven Cat passes were incomplete and three were intercepted. Tempe attempted 11 passes, making eight good; two were incomplete and one intercepted.
Arizona was penalized six times for a loss of 50 yards. Tempe lost 95 yards in 11 penalties.
Arizona made 11 first downs. Tempe 17.
First Quarter
Arizona, forcing Tempe to kick after failure to gain, took the ball and marched to the Bulldog 38-yard line before the onslaught was stopped. The drive started on Arizona’s 25-yard stripe.
Following an exchange of punts, Steverson of Tempe returned a Cat kick 32 yards, giving the Bulldogs the ball on the Cat 35-yard marker. On a reverse with Steverson carrying the ball, Tempe advanced the ball to the 10-yard line, and Baxter reeled off five more on a spinner. Smitheran drove through the center of the Arizona line for a touchdown. Smitheran's kick for extra point was blocked.
The Bulldogs kicked off but gained immediate possession of the ball when the oval slipped off a Wildcat's jersey, and Dick recovered on the Arizona 20-yard marker. After a penalty, a Tempe pass from Smitheran to Hardesty netted 25 yards and a touchdown. Steverson's kick for point was good.
Second Quarter
The determined onslaught of the Bulldogs netted another touchdown late in the second quarter. The drive started when Earl McCullor intercepted an Arizona pass, giving Tempe the ball on the Cat 45-yard marker. After a penalty of 15 yards for holding, Tempe was forced to punt but immediately regained possession of the ball when Arizona returned the kick.
With the ball on the Arizona 48-yard line, Tempe lost 25 yards for clipping but regained it on the next play by completing a pass from Steverson to Baxter. Another pass, Steverson to Baxter, following two reverse plays which picked up a few yards, put the ball on the Arizona 10-yard line and the Teachers took to the air to tally, the ball traveling from C. Hezmalhalch to Baxter. The try for point was wild and the half ended with Tempe leading 19 to 0.
Third Quarter
A brilliant 61-yard run by Hank Leiber, who broke through the Tempe line off tackle, put the Wildcats on the Tempe eight-yard line. Dick overtook him with a clear field ahead. A penalty, halfway to the goal, for slugging, gave the Cats four yards, and Collier plunged over for the touchdown. Collier's kick was short, and the score stood 19 to 6 for Tempe.
On the next kickoff, Steverson received the ball on his own ten-yard line and streaked down the sidelines for 82 yards before he was knocked out of bounds. The machine stalled and Arizona got the ball on downs after the Bulldogs had been set back by powerful offensive work of the Arizona linemen to the 24-yard marker.
Tempe was given another fine scoring opportunity when Dick recovered Leiber's fumble on the Arizona 31-yard stripe later in the quarter. The Bulldogs marched and passed to the Cat eight yards strip before Novell intercepted a pass thrown by C. Hezmalhalch.
Taking the ball on a punt midfield, the Bulldogs made another knifing scoring thrust, this time sliding around and through the line with Baxter and Steverson carrying the ball to the Cat eight-yard line. Again, fine Arizona defensive play hurled the Bulldogs back for losses, and Arizona got the ball on the Cat 15-yard mark by downs.
Fourth Quarter
Early in the fourth quarter, Tempe was given another fine scoring opportunity when Steverson kicked the ball out of bounds on the Cat five-yard mark and the Arizona punt went out only 29 yards. The Wildcat defense functioned again and Arizona got the ball on downs.
Neither team was able to gain much headway until late in the quarter. Baxter intercepted an Arizona pass on the Cat 35-yard line and took it back 15 yards. Steverson picked up four more around end. Steverson took the ball to the Arizona five-yard line when he fumbled and Abbott recovered for Arizona.
A fumbled Arizona punt behind the goal line nearly gave Tempe two more points in the form of a safety. A Tempe man was offside in the play, and Arizona had another opportunity to score.
The game ended with the Cats trying hard to complete passes. Leiber added a flicker of hope for the Cat rooters with a 30-yard run at the end of the game.
Climb into the Arizona Daily Star’s time machine as we revisit every Territorial Cup matchup between U of A and ASU football ahead of the Nov.…
