ASU players need no motivation for Territorial Cup

TEMPE, Ariz. - The Arizona State Sun Devils may be in the midst of a dismal five-game losing streak and about to finish off a disappointing season, but their players are ready to bring everything they've got for their showdown against the rival Arizona Wildcats.

"We want to finish it out the right way. There's still a lot to play for," said senior wide receiver Kyle Williams after practice on Monday.

There will be no bowl game for ASU even if they can pull off a victory against Arizona, but their players still can find plenty of motivation for this game.

"This is our bowl game for us. It's the chance to send the seniors out right beating U of A," said kicker Thomas Weber.

For ASU's 22 seniors, a win against the Wildcats would give them an impressive 3-1 record against their arch-rivals.

"It's going to be physical and it's personal. There's no secret between the two of us. We don't really like each other," said Williams.

Adding more motivation will be that ASU is trying not to end the season with a six-game losing streak.

"We got one more chance to kind of turn it around at least leave on a positive note for us seniors. You don't want the bitter taste in your mouth for the rest of the program losing to U of A two straight years in a row and especially ending the season with six straight losses," said linebacker Mike Nixon.

It won't be easy for the Sun Devils as they will face an Arizona team angry over losing a heart-breaker against Oregon last week.

Coach Dennis Erickson thinks Arizona is the most complete team in the Pac-10.

"You look at them in all three phases of the game, they might be the best. Arizona is as good a football team as there is in this league," said Erickson.

For the non-seniors, this game presents an opportunity to build momentum heading into the offseason.

"It'll be a game to get ready for next season, a motivating game," said sophomore linebacker Brandon Magee.

Kyle Williams summed up how the players on both sides feel about each other.

"I've been in it for four years and there's not too much good feelings I have about those guys down there and I'm sure the feelings are reciprocated," said Williams.

However, Mike Nixon said, due to ASU's disappointing season, the Sun Devil players won't be able to talk much trash before the game.

"We got five weeks of losses in a row so there's not a lot of talking we can do at least pregame. We're going to have to go out there and show them potentially what we're capable of," said Nixon.

Still, coach Erickson is especially disappointed for the seniors not being able to go to a bowl game.

"Our goals were quite different at the beginning of the year than what we've accomplished, but they've done a lot for this program and for me personally. I feel very bad for them," said Erickson.

The ASU game against the Arizona Wildcats is scheduled for kick-off at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.