Tempe, Ariz. — Not even the return of former running back Cameron Skattebo could turn the tide in the 99th rendition of the Territorial Cup, as No. 20 Arizona State’s offense committed many self-inflicted mistakes in front of a sold-out Mountain America Stadium.
“The challenge was us, we just had to get out our own way," senior tight end Chamon Metayer said. “By the time we figured it out, it was too late.”
Arizona State and senior quarterback Jeff Sims, in his fourth start of the season in the absence of sophomore quarterback Sam Leavitt, turned the ball over four times in a 23-7 loss to rival No. 25 Arizona on a cool Friday, Nov. 28, evening. ASU never found a rhythm on offense, despite the Wildcats' inability to capitalize on many short-field opportunities.
The quarterback playing in his final game in Tempe lost one fumble - at the Arizona 13-yard line, trailing by nine with 8:19 remaining in regulation - and threw three interceptions as 17 of the Wildcats’ 23 points came off those turnovers. Instead of pointing fingers, Metayer said Sims receives too much criticism for his play.
“Jeff Sims gets all the hate in the world but shows up to work every day.”
To bounce back, Metayer said Sims must have a short-term outlook on recent results.
“We gotta be better, we will be better,” Metayer said. “It’s just another lesson at the end of the day.”
Likewise, head coach Kenny Dillingham expressed sympathy for his veteran signal caller.
“Jeff is an unbelievable human being, he’s an unbelievable person, he has all the ability in the world,” Dillingham said. “I feel for him tonight. He’s a guy that’s going to be successful in life.”
Defending his 3-1 record as a starter, Dillingham said Sims gave it his all for the maroon and gold on his jersey.
“This dude battled for Arizona State Football,” Dillingham said.
Although Dillingham and Metayer praised Sims' resilience, the Sun Devils’ field general had the team behind the sticks from the beginning, throwing the first of three interceptions less than a minute into play and tailing under 144 yards passing on a 44% completion rate.
The offense as a whole totaled just 214 yards to Arizona’s 374, but a 3-11 mark on third down kept the Sun Devil defense on the field all night long.
“We gotta capitalize early, we can’t start slow and we clearly started slow,” Metayer said. “We gotta help the defense out.”
Adding insult to injury, the Wildcats dominated time of possession by over 20 minutes – 19:59 to 40:01 – and completed 50% – 10-20 – on third down while running 37 more plays than ASU.
“We failed them tonight, that’s more on us than them,” Metayer said.
Despite facing multiple short fields on little rest, the Sun Devils’ defense kept the game within reach, as senior defensive lineman Jacob Rich Kongaika recovered a fumble at his 8-yard line after Sims’ opening drive interception, and junior defensive back Keith Abney II blocked a 42-yard field goal.
“The defense gave us a fighting chance every time,” Metayer said.
Although Sims and the offense failed to ignite a hopeful crowd into a rivalry victory – ASU’s loss eliminated it from the Big 12 championship game while clinching an appearance for No. 5 Texas Tech and No. 11 BYU – Dillingham said he viewed Friday evening as a stepping stone in the process.
"I told the group, you guys have done something special,” Dillingham said. “Through all the adversity, you guys took a team that was dead and did something that hasn't been done in 6, 7, 8 years. Now we have an opportunity to still get 20 wins in the last two years.”