WVU football has played in Arizona four times

Sep 12, 2015; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineer cheerleaders celebrate after scoring a touchdown against the Liberty Flames during the fourth quarter at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

1979 vs. ASU

The Mountaineers arrived in Arizona for the first time on Nov. 17, 1979 for the regular season finale that season.

WVU was coming off a 24-17 loss to rival Pitt and what would be the final game at Old Mountaineer Field. West Virginia began the season on a three-game losing streak, but would win four-straight at the end of September and early October.

The Mountaineers were hoping a win against Arizona State would put them into a bowl game for the first time since 1975.

That didn’t happen.

The Sun Devils demolished the Mountaineers, 42-7, in front of more than 68,000 fans.

In that game, Robert Alexander led the WVU offense with 137 rushing yards. The Mountaineers would only put up 271 total yards.

WVU quarterback Oliver Luck completed just 5 of 20 passes for 55 yards in the loss.

The game was Frank Cignetti’s final contest as WVU head coach. He was fired after 10 seasons and a 59-53 record.

Next: 1989 Fiesta Bowl