Before the 1968 Territorial Cup on Nov. 30, Arizona had already been chosen to play in the Sun Bowl based on an 8-1 record, marred only by a 16-13 loss to Indiana.

But the Wildcats were a low-scoring team managing no more than 28 points in a game and reaching that total just once. Darrell Mudra’s team won with defense and just enough offense, a formula that largely worked until high-scoring Arizona State traveled to Tucson.

ASU averaged 58.7 points in the four games leading up to the Territorial Cup to stand 7-2 overall. Already with three straight wins over UA, the Sun Devils were not going to be an easy out especially, since they were not going to a bowl like their rival.

Behind Art Malone, who ran for 46- and 30-yard touchdowns in the first quarter, ASU bolted to a 21-0 lead. The third touchdown came on a 42-yard pass from Joe Spagnola to J.D. Hill. 

The remainder of the game was largely even with ASU winning 30-7, elevating Wyoming (which beat ASU but lost to UA) to the Western Athletic Conference title. 

The Sun Bowl rushed to line up UA vs. Auburn before their regular-season finales, reportedly pressured by Mudra to take the Wildcats. Then on the day before the Territorial Cup, Mudra said, “We don’t have to prove anything in this game. I’ve told the kids they don’t have to win.”

Not only did UA fail to beat ASU in what became known at the Ultimatum Bowl, it lost 34-10 in the Sun Bowl, finishing 8-3. Then Mudra, after an 11-9-1 record over two seasons, left for a job at Division II Western Illinois.

MORE TERRITORIAL CUP