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.