U of A & ASU fans out in droves for 'Duel in the Desert' match-up

By Maggie Vespa

CREATED Nov. 23, 2012

  • Print

  • The epic rivalry dates back more than 100 years, to before Arizona was even a state. For the fans, staying 'true to your school' is nothing short of a way of life. Video by kgun9.com

    video

Reporter: Maggie Vespa

TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - This isn't just a game.  It's an epic rivalry with a lot of emotion attached.

The U of A, ASU 'Duel in the Desert' dates back more than 100 years, to before Arizona was even a state, hence the name, the 'Territorial Cup'.
 
And for the fans, staying 'true to their school' is nothing short of a way of life.
 
 
That includes abiding by a very specific list of game day protocol.

Before you can talk the talk or walk the walk, you've got to look the part.

"I have a Black Diamondbacks sweatshirt.  I figured it couldn't hurt to get a U of A one," said fan Liz Pedersen.
 
Her husband, U of A alum Brian Pedersen wasn't about to let his wife go near the stadium in anything but red, and she's not arguing.
 
"I think it was the ulterior motive," he said  "She brought black so that she could get a red one."
 
Once you're suited up, hit the streets, where you may be forced to fraternize with the enemy.
 
"(Is this causing problems at the table?)  Um, just for today. we need to kind of have our little separation here," said Ary Jimenez, a U of A fan at a table mixed with ASU alumni.
 
In that case, have your trash talk ready.
 
"If you want your children to grow up to be wholesome and fun, don't send them to ASU," she said.
 
 
"There's no pity for the kitty.  I mean they might talk a lot but they don't always back it up," said ASU student Kenny Crone.
 
 
"I hate wildcats
," said ASU alum Kyle Saldana.  "(What's so bad about them?)  There's red everywhere and their stupid sign over there.  It just pisses me off."
 
"Scum devil," said Cameron McCannon, of ASU fans.  "That's really all I can say without being inappropriate for the little ones out there."
 
And finally, be proud of the legacy that led both teams to this point.
 
"You can't find a more intense rivalry anywhere you look.  Ohio State and Michigan?  Nothing compared to this," said Nik Pearson, ASU alum.
 
"It's heated, but it's fun," said Brian Pedersen.  "It's a chance to pick on people that you've been friends with all year long."
 
"Most of the students know each other from both schools, so it's kind of like a sibling rivalry," said Ryan Patton, a junior at U of A.  
 
"It's more proximity than anything," said Andrew Warren, an ASU alum.  "But really they just suck so much, how can you not hate them?"