One Long Run Does It for Arizona State : Pacific 10: Galbreath breaks two tackles on a 51-yard touchdown that gives the Sun Devils a 7-6 victory over Arizona.

Kevin Galbreath broke two tackles and streaked 51 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown and Arizona State overcame 16th-ranked Arizona’s smothering defense for a 7-6 victory Saturday night.

Arizona had two chances to regain the lead, but a 57-yard field-goal attempt by Steve McLaughlin with 4:30 remaining was just short, and quarterback George Malauulu was sacked on fourth down with 1:26 remaining.

The victory was Arizona State’s second in a row against the Wildcats and assured the Sun Devils, 6-5 overall and 4-4 in the Pacific 10, of a winning season.

Arizona (6-4-1, 4-3-1), leads the rivalry, 37-28-1.

Arizona outgained Arizona State in total yards, 298 to 191, and had a nine-minute advantage in time of possession, but the Sun Devils’ defense prevented the Wildcats from converting several drives.

Arizona, the nation’s leader against the run, had allowed Arizona State only 37 yards rushing in 23 carries through the first three quarters. But three plays into the fourth quarter, Galbreath broke tackles by Arizona’s Brant Boyer and Tony Bouie, swung to the right sideline and outran his pursuers.

Galbreath finished with 87 yards in 17 carries.

Earlier, it appeared that Arizona’s defense and McLaughlin’s kicking would be enough.

McLaughlin kicked a 48-yarder in the first quarter and added one from 47 yards in the third quarter. But he missed a 46-yarder late in the third quarter.

“I’m accountable for two of our losses this year--Miami and Oregon State (actually a 14-14 tie),” McLaughlin said. “I had a chance to put the team up by three, and I fell short.

“It feels terrible. I feel like I’m going to go home and throw up.”

Arizona was able to move on the Sun Devils in the first half, but coughed up the ball twice inside their five-yard-line.

On their first possession, the Wildcats moved from the Arizona State 42 to the five before Lenny McGill intercepted Malauulu’s pass in the end zone.

Late in the second quarter, the Wildcats started from their 42 and drove to the four. But tailback Charles Levy fumbled on a pass-option play and Israel Stanley recovered for the Sun Devils.