With a 49-7 Territorial Cup victory sealed, Arizona State defensive lineman Jacob Kongaika happily stabbed the “A” at midfield of Arizona Stadium with a golden pitchfork. If the total-game bludgeoning wasn’t enough, this was the final blow to an already deflated Arizona Wildcat team who closed the season 4-8 after high preseason expectations.
Just one year ago, Kongaika strapped up his boots on the other side of the field as a Wildcat.
Safe to say, Kongaika’s unapologetic celebration was not well received, as Arizona wide receiver and former teammate Montana Lemonious-Craig attempted to yank the fork out his hands. Players from both teams then rushed out to meet the pair on the logo to officially make it a skirmish.
Kongaika did not appear on the stats sheet for the Sun Devils, but he did improve to 3-0 in the rivalry game — this being the first time in maroon and gold.
The 6-foot-2 junior spent his first two collegiate seasons in Tucson and enjoyed two wins with Arizona, including a lopsided 59-23 performance in Tempe last year when the Wildcats were a top-25 program under now-Washington coach Jedd Fisch.
ASU star running back Cam Skattebo, who racked up 177 yards and three touchdowns, told reporters he was unaware of Kongaika’s choice of celebration.
“I didn’t know that happened, but that’s awesome,” said Skattebo, who earned the 2024 Bob Moran Award for being the Territorial Cup MVP. “That dude played his butt off all game, and he deserves it.”
Kongaika transferred at the right time, as No. 16 ASU (10-2) won at least 10 games in a season for the first time since 2014. And with TCU defeating Cincinnati 20-13 Saturday, Kongaika and the Devils punched their ticket to the Big 12 Championship Game in Arlington, Texas on Dec. 7.
The Rowland Heights, California native will enter the postseason with nine tackles and 3.0 sacks over nine games.
If it’s any consolation for Arizona fans, the Wildcats still possess a 51-46-1 all-time series lead.
The postgame antics aptly received mixed responses:
Clearly something needs to be done to stop this nonsense.
— Greg Spence (@greg41mavs) December 1, 2024
But did they shake hands before the game? Certainly they did.
— TODDNEELEY (@DTNeeley) December 1, 2024
Stay classy ASU
— Jennifer Watson (@FerWa51295) December 1, 2024
That’s a trident 😂 pic.twitter.com/lvkMXdpGhZ
— Austin Kowalczuk (@AKowalczuk4) December 1, 2024
Needed automatic rule after today:
Allow ALL rivalry flags planted at the 50 if the road team wins on their rivals’ field. https://t.co/scHQtyiGhT
— The Whole Delivery (@TWDTV1) December 1, 2024
