Arizona-ASU Game 54: Arizona’s 6 turnovers pave the way for ASU blowout in 1980

For Tucson football fans, the 1980 Territorial Cup game remains a sharp example of how quickly a rivalry can turn. Arizona State overwhelmed Arizona, 44-7, at Arizona Stadium in front of 53,108 people, turning six Wildcat turnovers, a shanked punt and a blocked punt into a relentless first half. The defeat ended Arizona’s hope of finishing with a winning record under first year coach Larry Smith, while ASU closed its season with a 7-4 mark under first year coach Darryl Rogers.

The loss also narrowed Arizona’s advantage in the rivalry to 29-25. The game was the 54th meeting between the schools, part of a series that has since become known as the Territorial Cup. Although Arizona and ASU did not play every year, the rivalry had already developed a history of emotional games and close finishes. Arizona had won the previous meeting, 27-24, on a last second play, adding extra tension to the matchup in Tucson.

The Sun Devils’ advantage came from their ability to turn Arizona mistakes into immediate points. Arizona gave the ball away six times, and ASU converted four of those turnovers into 24 points. That total did not include the touchdown created by a blocked punt. ASU did not commit a turnover, and its defense repeatedly created short fields or scored on its own.

The first warning came on Arizona’s third series. Wildcat punter Sergio Vega sent a 25 yard punt off target, giving ASU possession at the Arizona 48 yard line. Sun Devils quarterback Mike Pagel needed only a few plays before finding tight end Ron Wetzel for a 23 yard touchdown at 6:15. Wetzel had been left uncovered in the end zone, giving ASU a 7-0 lead.

The game’s most dramatic play came less than a minute before the end of the first quarter. Arizona was backed up near its own end zone and tried to punt from the 14 yard line. Vega set up around the five, but ASU linebacker Vernon Maxwell burst through the line and blocked the kick. Maxwell recovered the ball near the back line of the end zone, putting the Sun Devils ahead 14-0 and giving the visitors the emotional jolt they needed.

ASU struck again early in the second quarter. Arizona quarterback Tom Tunnicliffe threw a pass that Sun Devils strong safety Mike Richardson caught with one hand after juggling it. Richardson then ran 35 yards for a touchdown. On Arizona’s next offensive play, Maxwell hit tailback Brian Holland and forced another fumble. Defensive end Bryan Caldwell recovered at the Arizona 11, and Scott Lewis kicked a 23 yard field goal four plays later. In less than five minutes, ASU had expanded its lead to 24-0.

Arizona showed a brief sign of life on its next possession, driving from its own 30 yard line to the ASU 28. The drive ended when Brett Weber missed a 46 yard field goal. The Sun Devils then finished the half with a 72 yard scoring drive. Pagel completed five passes, including a four yard touchdown throw to wide receiver John Mistler, a senior who had attended Sahuaro High School in Tucson. The score gave ASU a 31-0 halftime lead. Pagel completed 18 of 27 passes for 203 yards, threw two touchdown passes and added another touchdown on the ground.

Arizona opened the second half with its best sequence of the day. The Wildcats moved 80 yards in seven plays, and Tunnicliffe found senior tight end Bill Nettling for an 18 yard touchdown at 11:26. Nettling slipped behind the secondary, and the play briefly gave Arizona hope of mounting a comeback. Smith pointed to the previous week’s Oregon game, when ASU had led 42-10 before Oregon rallied, although the Ducks ultimately lost 42-37.

That comeback never developed. Pagel led ASU on a 72 yard, 10 play drive that ended with his one yard quarterback sneak at 7:23 of the third quarter. The score made it 38-7. Arizona then supplied the final opening. Tunnicliffe was attempting to pass when linebacker Mark Hicks stripped the ball, and Caldwell recovered his second fumble of the afternoon at the Arizona nine. Robert Weathers scored on the next play by running around the left side. Arizona blocked Lewis’ extra point, its only remaining big play, but the game was already settled.

Neither team ran the ball effectively, but ASU dominated the less visible field position battle. The Sun Devils gained 131 return yards from punts, fumbles and interceptions, while Arizona had none. ASU wide receiver Tim Mistler led the visitors with six catches for 61 yards, and Arizona receiver Tim Holmes had five receptions for 73 yards. Arizona’s Holland and Hubie Oliver combined for only 26 rushing yards. The Wildcats also played without linebackers Ricky Hunley and John Ramseyer, who had broken bones in their hands during the previous week’s practices.

Smith said afterward that Arizona never established momentum while ASU maintained it. Robinson, a senior defensive tackle, described the Sun Devils’ succession of big plays as the central difference. Rogers also acknowledged how unusual the result was for a rivalry, saying neither team expected such a one sided game. The pregame atmosphere reflected the animosity of the series, with the teams forming large huddles at midfield and players nearly confronting one another before kickoff. For Tucson fans who watched the game in the stadium or on television, the final score was lopsided, but the lasting lesson was more specific: against a rival, one mistake can hurt, but a string of mistakes can decide the game before halftime.