ASU Recap 2019

WILDCATS HIT SEVENTY MARK AGAINST SUN DEVILS

#10 Arizona 78

Arizona State 9

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Zach Heisterkamp's two tries helped pace the Wildcats victory in Tempe. (Photo credit: Travis Prior)

February 18- Arizona traveled to Tempe on Saturday with their undefeated record on the line in their first conference match of 2019.

The Wildcats opened the match with great defensive pressure, resulting in a turnover and try by Lock Tyler Hansen to take an early 7-0 lead in the first few minutes. More defensive pressure, this time at the lineout, set up Center Lou MacLaughlin for his first try of the season and a Jon Rogers (19 points) conversion made it 14-0 to give the Wildcats the start they were hoping for. From there, Arizona was able to get in to an attacking rhythm, putting up 35 points in the half but giving up easy penalties to grant the Sun Devils nine points.

"Sloppy first half, we were disappointed in our lack of attention to details in the first 40 and we set out to be more clinical in the second half" said Head Coach Sean Duffy. The Wildcats certainly did that, with the back row trio of Riley Kerr, Zach Heisterkamp, and Fabian Lumsden combining for five second half tries to help the Cats to a 43-0 second half margin. Lucas Bartzis also continued his strong form, touching down for two of his eight tries in the past three weeks. The win gives Arizona a 4-0 record on the year and a 2-0 mark against in-state opponents for the fourth straight season.

The result also enabled a number of players to see time on first side, with Flyhalf Robert Figley touching down for his first career try in the latter stages of the victory. "The scoreline flatters us but we have work to do. We're making great progress but we're moving quickly on to the next task." That next task will be the Wildcat's second match of the year against a ranked opponent as #20 UCLA travels to Tucson. In addition, it will be the 50th Anniversary weekend of the program, with scores of alumni and fans expected to attend the match and surrounding events.

Arizona Second XV also continued their strong form in 2019, notching a 65-0 victory over Arizona State Second XV to move to 4-0 on the year.

Scoring vs Arizona State

W 78-9

Tries: 12- Kerr (2), Heisterkamp (2), Bartzis (2), Hansen, MacLaughlin, Biggs, Figley, J. Rogers, Lumsden

Conv: J. Rogers- 7/9, Figley 2/3

Arizona First XV vs Arizona State

2. Zach Biggs

6. Riley Kerr