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Arizona defensive back Chuck Cecil returns an interception 106 yards for a touchdown in the 1986 UA game against ASU.
bruce mcclelland / arizona daily star 1986
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Football

UA football

No roots here? Find a rooting interest

By Ryan Finley
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 11.26.2007
Arizona's population has grown by more than 1 million since 2000, and our guess is that most of the newcomers can't tell the difference between Frank Kush and Tim Kish. (Hint: Think football coaches).
That's inexcusable. Just because many Arizonans came here from somewhere else, that doesn't mean they can't appreciate the rivalry between the University of Arizona and Arizona State just as much as the natives.
The annual "Duel in the Desert" has given us some great games, created unforgettable heroes — remember John Jefferson and Chuck Cecil? — and revealed what we all know to be true: You're either a Wildcat or a Sun Devil.
Unless you're a Lumberjack — in which case, you're left out in this rivalry.
With five days to go before the Wildcats travel to Tempe to take on the 13th-ranked Sun Devils, here's an easy-to-follow guide to the state's greatest rivalry.
Call it "The Duel in the Desert" for dummies.
The rivalry
Saturday's game marks the 81st meeting between the two schools. Arizona leads the all-time series 44-35-1. Arizona State is 6-2 against the Wildcats since 1999.
At stake
• The Territorial Cup, the country's oldest perpetual trophy for a rivalry game. The silver cup was originally given to Arizona State after it defeated the UA in 1899. The trophy belonged to Arizona State exclusively until 2001, when the schools agreed to give the cup to the winner of the annual "Duel in the Desert." The winning team keeps the cup in its hall of fame for a year.
Really at stake
• A win would make the Wildcats (5-6) bowl eligible for the second time in as many years and put them in position to compete in their first bowl since 1998.
• The 13th-ranked Sun Devils (9-2) were embarrassed by USC on Thanksgiving night and must put together a victory to backdoor their way into the Bowl Championship Series or earn a berth in a reputable bowl.
Sound like a local
• "Bear Down!" UA football star John "Button" Salmon was critically injured in a car accident in fall 1926. As he lay dying, Salmon implored coach "Pop" McKale to, "Tell them … tell the team to bear down." A year later, the UA made "Bear Down" the official motto for its sports teams. The Wildcats' fight song, "Bear Down, Arizona" was introduced in 1952.
• "Fork 'Em" Arizona State fans show their loyalty by forming a mini-pitchfork with their hands. Devils fans tuck their ring finger and touch it to the tip of their thumb, forming a lopsided "W." They then point the pitchfork in the air at opposing fans or in the direction of other ASU faithful. It also helps to hum three bars of the ASU fight song, which sounds amazingly like the chimes for NBC television.
Greatest football coach
• Arizona: Dick Tomey. The steady-if-plodding Tomey went 95-64-4 in 14 seasons at the UA before being forced out after the 2000 season. He is now the coach at San Jose State.
• Arizona State: Frank Kush. Fiery coach rubbed some the wrong way, but won games. Kush posted a 176-54-1 record and 19 winning seasons in 22 years. He was 6-1 in bowl games.
Greatest football player
• Arizona State: Danny White. Quarterback led ASU to a 32-4 overall record and three Fiesta Bowl wins from 1970 to 1973. In 1997, White was the first Sun Devil to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
• Arizona: Art Luppino. "The Cactus Comet" was Arizona's first nationally recognized football star. In 1955, he became the first player in NCAA history to lead the nation in rushing twice. Luppino's No. 22 jersey is retired.
Five famous alumni — and one dropout
Arizona
1. Actor Greg Kinnear
2. Comedian Garry Shandling
3. TV journalist Geraldo Rivera
4. Radio personality Stryker ("Loveline")
5. Workout pioneer Denise Austin
Dropout: Socialite Nicole Richie
Arizona State
1. Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel
2. Broadcaster Al Michaels
3. Comedian David Spade
4. "Dr. 90210" Robert Rey
5. Accessories designer Kate Spade
Dropout: Comedian Steve Allen