Security personnel loosened the goal posts just in case the sold-out crowd had any ideas. Players celebrated on the field. Arizona State coach Todd Graham walked over to the crowd, kissed a game ball and threw it into the seats, a ritual after every win.
Arizona State, picked to finish fifth in the Pac-12 South, secured second place Saturday with a 42-30 win over rival Arizona in front of 59,385 fans at Sun Devil Stadium. The Territorial Cup win pushed the Sun Devils to 7-5 and 6-3 in conference play and positioned them for a better bowl game next month.