ASU's black uniforms denied by Arizona before Duel in the Desert

The Arizona State Sun Devils wanted to wear all-black uniforms in the rivalry game with the Arizona Wildcats last Friday, but their request was denied by the Arizona athletic department, ASU athletic director Steve Patterson told Arizona Sports 620.

With a primetime slot on ESPN for the regular season finale, Patterson said he wanted to run the Sun Devils onto the field with their best-looking uniform. The Sun Devils were hoping to go with an all-black combination in response to the Wildcats' first ever red-out, which debuted Arizona's red helmets.

But with the home team having a final say in the visiting team's uniform composition, Patterson said they were refused.

Patterson said that Pac-12 officials had never before heard of a team denying an opponent the right to wear any uniform combination.

Arizona State didn't need the marketing ploy. The Sun Devils scored 24 points in the fourth quarter en route to a 41-34 victory to regain control of the Territorial Cup.