TEMPE — Friday night ended Arizona State’s bid for a second straight conference championship after a 23-7 loss to Arizona, but head coach Kenny Dillingham framed it as another chapter in the program’s evolution.
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Nov 28, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Gio Richardson (5) is tackled by Arizona State Sun Devils defense in the first half during the 99th Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The loss was highlighted by five turnovers and the Sun Devils managed only one touchdown in the second quarter. While the defense kept ASU in the game for much of the night, it eventually gave way late as the Wildcats pulled ahead.
“This is horrible,” Dillingham said postgame, according to FOX 10’s Blake Niemann. “I have to live in this city. That sucks.”
Despite the disappointment, Dillingham offered his perspective on what the moment means for the program. He said one low point does not define a team and pointed to progress over the past three seasons.
Nov 28, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Kenny Dillingham reacts against the Arizona Wildcats in the second half during the 99th Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
For a program that once struggled to find its identity, Arizona State has begun to regain it through what he called a three-year roller coaster.
“Remove yourself from this moment of misery,” said Dillingham, on what he told his team after the loss. “You guys have done something special. You guys took a program that was dead… Absolutely no one wanted to be here. And you guys took a team and did something that hasn’t been done in 12 years. Eight win seasons.”
From 3-9 to conference champions to playing meaningful games through the last regular-season weekend despite midseason adversity, Dillingham doesn’t believe this is the end of anything.
Nov 28, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) with head coach Kenny Dillingham against the Arizona Wildcats during the 99th Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Instead, he says he wants to build on what the program has created and finish the year strong with a bowl-game win.
“You gotta appreciate these kids’ body of work,” said the ASU head coach. “… They wanted to be Sun Devils, they stayed Sun Devils. We faced some adversity this year. And we still found a way to win games. I’m so proud of that group. I’m mad at myself [that] I didn’t get these guys ready enough tonight… We’re in the right direction.”
Come for the @keithabneyjr field goal block, stay for the @tyson_jordyn & @KennyDillingham reaction 😈
📺 @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/495BhOLiSS
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) November 29, 2025
Arizona State will find out which bowl it will play in and against whom, depending on the results of Saturday’s final regular-season games.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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