There has never been any rhyme or reason on who will win the Territorial Cup each year. And the 86th meeting of Arizona State and Arizona is no different. With both teams already bowl bound, not only would the oldest rivalry trophy go home with you, but a ‘better’ bowl game would await. Coach Graham’s two biggest preaching points, penalties and ball security almost doomed the Devils, but they took care of business and won 41 to 34 in Tucson tonight.

It seemed fairly obvious coming into tonights game that ASU’s defense should focus on Sophomore running back Ka’Deem Carey. If you stop him, then you can focus on Matt Scott and the powerful Arizona offense. First quarter stats for Carey? 48 yards and a touchdown. Not the way you want to start. But then, looking back on the 335 total rushing yards ASU did give up, it didn’t really matter as Matt Scott didn’t have his ‘A’ game. Despite the three touchdowns Scott threw, it was his three (almost 5) interceptions he did throw that decided the game. The first quarter ended 6-0 Arizona with the Sun Devils having four times the penalty yardage as they did passing yards.

Overlooked in the first quarter, ASU running back Marion Grice took over in the 2nd as he scored two touchdowns with over 60 yards on the ground. An Alonzo Agwuenu fumble deep in Arizona territory late in the quarter turned out to be a 10 point swing as ASU failed to score and Arizona drove down for a FG to send the game into half ASU 14, Arizona 9. Despite the turnover and five penalties for 56 yards in the first half, ASU had to feel good about the halftime score.

ASU’s play calling once again was troublesome during parts of this game. There were three examples of a very low percentage sideline fade/fly passes to receivers on third downs. None of them found their mark leading to a punt. When they weren’t trying that pass, they chose to run the ball up the gut of the defense only to get stopped. When the offense was moving, there was a great mix of runs inside and out and passes in the flat and across the middle. When ASU ran the option it worked almost every time, which led this reporter to question why Taylor Kelly doesn’t hold onto the ball more often when handing off to the tailback in that option scenario.

Unfortunately the wide receiver play mirrored the season. Rashard Ross had a couple of awful wide open drops for touchdowns and they (receivers) still have no concept of getting open or holding blocks downfield for their running backs. The 52 yard TD run by Grice was all him, with no assistance downfield. The two leading receivers were running back DJ Foster and all around player Jamal Myles, who just might have had his best game of the season with a few clutch plays.

Eubank TD

ASU’s kicking game was an integral role in the victory over Arizona. Jon Mora made both of his field goals and Alex Garoutte made all of his extra points and had 5/8 touchbacks. And who I believe to be the best punter in the PAC-12, Josh Hubner averaged 50 yards a kick with his five punts. The return teams did a great job also as they limited the Wildcats to minimum yardage on all returns.

The outcome of the game was still to be decided up until the fourth quarter. ASU started the 4th with a 12 play 56 yard drive that ended in a field goal. The Wildcats marched downfield to the ASU 18 when Matt Scott decided to jump into a tackle and lost the ball which was returned to the ASU 44 by Deveron Carr. Out of the next six plays, Marion Grice handled the ball five times including the game tying touchdown. ASU’s defense stopped Arizona on a three and out and then Kevin Ayers blocked a Kyle Dugandzic punt which ASU recovered on the 8 yards line. Four seconds and a Cameron Marshall eight yard scamper, ASU was now suddenly up 34-27. With a little more than five minutes on the clock Matt Scott led the Wildcats down to the ASU 44 where he threw his third and most costly interception of the game to Robert Nelson, who returned the ball down to the Wildcat two yard line. Three plays later, QB Michael Eubank punched it into the end zone to put the Devils up 41-27. A late garbage touchdown by the Wildcats made it 41-34, but a failed on side kick allowed the Sun Devils to run out the clock as Arizona had exhausted their timeouts.

During the post game, the Territorial Cup made its rounds around Arizona Stadium. The players were first to parade the Cup across the field and then head Coach Todd Graham got a hold of it and made his way down to the railing surrounding the ASU fans. He then proceeded to run along the railing for all Sun Devil fans to touch it. Later in the post game presser, Graham said he gave the trophy to legendary coach Frank Kush, who then in turn gave it a kiss. “It was this game that was most important to Sun Devil fans”, said Graham. And so for the fourth straight year of this rivalry, the road team has won the game. Next up for the Devils? A call from someone either in Albuquerque, San Francisco, Las Vegas or El Paso.

In what I considered to be the most important game of the season, ASU didn’t fail, as they become bowl eligible with a 46 to 7 blow out win over the visiting Washington State Cougars. In the annual Senior Day/Gold Game and also Salute to Service Day the Sun Devils finally rid themselves of that pesky mid-season losing streak. The much maligned Washington State Cougars led by pirate loving coach Mike Leach didn’t do much to change his opinion of his squad as they fell to 2-9 on the year and 0-8 in conference play. With their sixth win, ASU has a bowl game in their future, but where that might be is as much of a mystery as the dismantling of Hostess Bakeries.

I have to admit, that before this game I thought the Cougars were a wounded team, with nothing to lose and embroiled in the Marquiss Wilson affair. All dangerous reasons to think ASU might have trouble. In a lack of better terms, wrong. This Washington State team is a mess. From the stream of consciousness mouth of head coach Mike Leach, the season long quarterback battle, no rushing game and of course the ‘abused’ Marquiss Wilson.

There are a few things to take from this game as positives for ASU. First, they’re not going to lose out like last years squad. They had a game at home that was a ‘gimme’ and they took care of business to stop the slide. ASU is now bowl eligible. And just like everyone has said during the last four post game press conferences, this team has not quit. But before the congratulations get out of hand, lets remember, this was Washington State.

The platooning of two quarterbacks is back, and it appears it’ll be the rest of the season. I’m still not sure what it accomplishes, but I won’t beat that horse again. Taylor Kelly’s numbers were great, 20-23 246 yards and four TDs. Michael Eubanks had relative success but did have a pick. Once again, Eubanks did his damage with his legs as he ran for 51 yards. Until he’s able to consistently be a throwing threat, teams will key on him to run first. And against WSU, everybody got in on the run as the team tallied 260 yards on the ground. Nine receivers totaled over 300 yards in the air complimented the run game. Basically what ASU wanted to do on offense, they did.

The lack of any ‘big’ play capability was evident again. It’s obvious at this stage in the season they don’t have any home run players. And if they did, I still question some of the play calling that would free them up. Although it was more difficult to see today, the play calling is still a little suspect at times. I believe it it goes hand in hand with the switching of quarterbacks. When the play calling does get seriously questionable is in the red zone. For some reason when this Sun Devil team moves downfield with ease, there’s some kind of brake system that inhibits this team from scoring. And that goes for both TDs as well as field goals. Jon Mora was 1-2 in todays game with the miss of a 31 yarder.

Despite some of the other writers in the press box, I can’t take much from this game. ASU should win. needed to win and win big. And that they did. After spending the majority of the 4th quarter on the WSU sideline, I do have to commend this Cougar squad as they were never down and refused to quit despite the shellacking ASU put down on them. Next up is the annual battle for the Territorial Cup as ASU travels down to Tucson to take on rival University of Arizona. Just a few months ago this games meaning was totally different as ASU started 3-0 in conference as UofA started 0-3. On the line next week is a plethora of bowl opportunities. Everything from the New Mexico, Advocare, Independence, Military to Heart of Texas Bowls have been rumored for this Sun Devil squad. One of those is guaranteed, let’s focus on Arizona first.

With both teams entering the contest on a losing streak, only the ASU vs USC survivor would still be in the PAC-12 South division hunt. And just like the last four games, the Arizona State Sun Devils came out on the short end of the stick losing 38 to 17. Despite some spectacular plays on defense by the Devils, turnovers, penalties and questionable play calling left ASU at five and five for the year.

Having scored first in 9 out their 10 games (including every game in this four game losing streak), ASU used a Trojan turnover to go up 7-0. The Marqise Lee fumble was just one of five turnovers for USC on the day, which should be enough for an ASU victory. Quarterback Taylor Kelly continues to regress week by week as he finished 19-30 with three interceptions and seven sacks. The sacks all can’t be blamed on Kelly, but my beleaguered point of him holding onto the ball to long continues to rear its ugly head. A positive note offensively is that ASU ‘re-found’ TE Chris Coyle. After a hot start to the season, Coyle has slowly disappeared from the game plan coincidently with ASU’s four game losing streak. Coyle’s final line was 5-85 with one TD.

In addition to the slow demise of Kelly, the two items Coach Graham has been preaching all season, ball security and undisciplined play (penalties) have been all but non-existent. In addition to Kelly’s three picks was a Rashard Ross fumble and seven penalties for 49 yards. Two of them gave USC a first down. For this ASU team to go into halftime tied at 14 should have been enough lift to finish off an exposed USC team (Arizona & Oregon scores), but like the last three losses, ASU faded in the second half. For whatever reason, the Sun Devils continue to slowly fade into losses in the second half.

Halfway through the 3rd quarter QB Michael Eubank was inserted into the Devil offense. Once Eubank makes an appearance, most defensive units can focus on the run as exhibited by Eubank’s line of only attempting three passes and running the ball five times. One of those passes was a third down pass to DE Davon Coleman. Actually it was thrown behind him and to his feet. The only thing worse than that throw was the actual play calling today. After that errant pass to Coleman, Kelly came back in on fourth down, set up in a shotgun formation and then took a sack. With potent running backs DJ Foster and Marion Grice getting only eight carries on the day was confusing. Post game comments by Graham directed some heat towards Offensive Coach Mike Norvell. It’s been interesting to listen to Graham shoulder all the heat early in the year for any issues on the field, but lately start to distribute blame to coaches as well as players. Regardless of blame, the plays being called are not very good and haven’t been executed very well.

A positive to the game were some of the best defensive plays this Sun Devil team has had in years. A Chris Young over the shoulder interception near the goal line as well as a Carl Bradford pick were nothing less than spectacular. Will Sutton also continued to wreck havoc in the center of the line. Alden Darby’s pick six was also another great play sniffed out by the defense. But with all these great plays and forcing five turnovers, the Devil offensive couldn’t capitalize. The one player ASU couldn’t cover (nobody can) was wide out Marqise Lee. His 38 yard scamper in the fourth quarter left every one of the 80,000 plus in attendance in simple awe as he eluded just about every one of the ASU defenders. His final line of 67 yards rushing and 161 yards receiving definitely back breakers.

ASU’s punting game has been great all year as Josh Hubner averaged over 47 yards a kick today, but the short kicks on kick offs puzzled many in the press box. It’s understood you don’t want to kick to Marqise Lee, but to short kick and give the Trojans the ball on their own 40-45 yard line is just not smart football.

ASU still needs one more win to become bowl eligible with Washington State and Arizona on the horizon to finish the season. If the penalty, turnover and second half fades don’t get turned around, this team could lose out. And no matter how much each player and coach denies the similarities to last years team, when you lose out, it doesn’t matter ‘how the mood’ is in the locker room is, or ‘how much each player hasn’t quit’ yet. A loss is a loss and when they’re strung together it gets more and more frustrating. A big win against the Cougars with all facets of the team running on all cylinders is a must to get this team ready for the Territorial Cup game against UofA in Tucson.

The return of Will Sutton was none more obvious than on the first drive when his sack created a fumble which was returned for a score by defensive end Junior Onyeali. Coach Graham referred to Sutton’s performance as ‘heroic’ as he didn’t expect him to play much more than a few series. But early success didn’t favor ASU in this game. Inopportune penalties, the kicking game and a defensive backfield that is quickly becoming a huge liability all were major factors in this 36-26 loss in Reser Stadium.

While Cameron Marshall moved into second place in touchdowns scored all-time at ASU, it was Taylor Kelly who led the team in rushing with 10 carries for 81 yards. When Kelly was able to get the ball to the receivers, they weren’t able to do much with the passes. Early season target Chris Coyle has all been forgotten of late, while running back Marion Grice continues to lead the RECEIVING core. This group of receivers for a lack of better words is average to marginal. Their receiving skills are lacking, their blocking is atrocious and none of them can do anything with the ball post catch. If any could hold a block (see Oregon Ducks) many of those awful swing passes this offense seems to run would be a lot more successful.

The only consistent positive from this team week after week has been punter Josh Hubner. His eight punts tonight for 378 yards, a 47.2 average with a long of 66 kept this ASU team in the game. The problem surely wasn’t the punting, but how many yards this team was allowing on both the punt and kick returns. Jon Mora getting his second game as the field goal kicker was only one for two as he made a 31 yarder but pulled a 37 yarder. This late in the season we’re all resolved to a dismal place kicking game.

Coach Graham in post game comments made a point in saying the Devils got their butts beat in all aspects of the game. He praised Coach Mike Riley and his team and it was obvious why this team was so highly ranked. He also made note to say the Sun Devils were beat by a better Oregon team and that losing a close game to UCLA last week was a still a bitter pill to swallow. The question thats being asked a lot, is still, how is this team different than last year when they went on that terrible slide. And Graham continues to say the mentality and drive of the players and around the program is different. But this still leaves the pool of reporters that cover ASU football shaking their heads. If you lose 5 in a row or 4 of 5 how and why should it matter how the players react or think about it? When all is said and done, if this ASU team finishes 6-6 and loses their bowl game they’ll finish with the same record as last year.

Coach Graham also confirmed that defensive end Junior Onyeali sat the majority of the second half due to his roughing the passer penalty. But he reemerged in the game due to the lack of depth this defensive unit possesses. Graham preaches ball security and discipline, but when you get put back into the game after the inability to control either one of these, it’s difficult to gain traction in that direction. The play calling of late has also been a little suspect. You’ve got great running backs, use them. To many three and outs won’t get you points or swing momentum and puts even more stress onto the defense which is already thin. After watching this Sun Devil team get beat with four big plays, it just reminds me of the serious lack of big play ability this team does not possess. But in your first year as head coach, you can only play the cards you’re given. A couple years down the road and this team still has big play issues? Then thats a Coach problem.

So after listening to Taylor Kelly, Cameron Marshall and Coach Graham in post game interviews talk how they’re not quitting, they just need to work harder and focus now on USC is wearing thin with me. Like I stated before, when you lose 4-5 in a row, it doesn’t matter how hard you’re trying or the effort you gave, you still lost. I’m a lot closer to this program than most fans, and I guarantee thats how they’re feeling. Up next, is USC in Los Angeles. A Lane Kiffin coached team that will have a serious burr under their saddle after losing to Arizona and then getting man handled by Oregon earlier today. This is an ASU team that needs to stop this skid and fast. Time is running out with only three games left.

Traditional college homecomings involve parades, big picnics and multiple festive activities. But todays homecoming game against UCLA is a little different. Four former ASU coaches as well as Chandler product QB Brett Hundley come to Tempe as part of the UCLA contingent. But more important than that group, is how will the Sun Devils respond to the thumping they took against Oregon last Thursday night. It was against these very same Bruins that the 2011 season took a serious nose dive. And the way the game ended, 2012 has similar eery likenesses.

Despite the 14 point lead to start the game, ASU couldn’t hold that lead just as they couldn’t hold the early lead against Oregon the week before. The homecoming crowd had something to cheer about early again as the Sun Devils used a UCLA turnover for a quick touchdown, just like the week before. But the 14 point lead disappated to a 21-17 deficit at the half. Taylor Kelly, 25-35-1 315 yards committed a huge turnover while in his own end zone right before the half that basically sunk the Devils. In what was an unusual chain of events, ASU received the kick-off both at the start of the game as the half, which made that interception even more costly. The second half amounted to a good old fashioned PAC-12 shootout as neither team could do much from stopping the other.

Jon Mora, of ASU who assumed field goal responsibilities from Alex Garoutte made all three of his attempts from 36, 31 and 22 yards. But the choice to go for the two point conversion trailing 28-26 and failing, put the Sun Devils behind eight ball later in the game. And with the ball control ability of Jonathan Franklin on the ground, 26 carries for 174 yards eating time, ASU had little margin of error with each drive. ASU’s drive to put the Devils up by one with 1:33 left in the game should have sealed the victory, but without star DT Will Sutton in the game, the defense let the Bruins move downfield to score the winning field goal with no time left on the clock. Offensive yards have now hemmoraged out of ASU’s opponents the last two weeks which has caused some to question this teams ability to finish the season any differently than last year.

Under Coach Grahams guidance this year, the Devils have kept their penalties to a minimum, until today. Two first half penalties on third down that led to UCLA first downs and a holding penalty on a touchdown pass were inexcusable and were obviously costly. The last two weeks have also been inopportune times for Taylor Kelly to show his inexperience. He’s holding onto the ball entirely to long in many cases and its putting the offense in a hole. When he makes good choices the offense moves nicely, but when the team gets into long conversion downs they struggle. Which leads me to my next observation. After watching the quick big strike ability of Oregon and UCLA the last two weeks, its become clear to this reporter ASU does not have that ‘big play’ go to guy. They’ve only had two plays all year go more than 50 yards. Two!! Marion Grice who has simply amazed everyone watching him this year had another stellar game with 49 yards rushing and 69 receiving and a combined three TDs.

So with another tough road game in Corvallis against the Oregon State Beavers next week, this Sun Devil team must find a defensive balance. In what many in the press box predicted early in the year, the defensive secondary is starting to have issues. Although the stats suggest otherwise, the numbers are not going in the positive direction in the last few weeks. The four TDs Brett Hundley threw today, there wasn’t an ASU defender within 7 feet of any of them. A lot can come down to the lack of Sutton in the middle, but Graham and his team aren’t using that as an excuse. When ASU puts pressure of the opposing QB, good things happen, irregardless (that was for you Coach Erickson) of the defensive depth. It also appears that Taylor Kelly is ‘the guy’ the rest of the year behind center, so Sun Devil fans will have to live and die with inexperience. Post game comments by Graham about this team not being anywhere near last years team that went into a complete second half collapse were strong and emphatic. Now its time to back up those comments.

In what has been billed as the biggest game to hit Tempe in years, the Ducks of Oregon pull into Arizona ranked #3 in the country on a beautiful fall Sonoran evening. Boasting two former ASU coaches and the brother of Cameron Marshall, the Ducks have won the last seven and 11 of the last 14 meetings. Left lane hammer down meets one of the most prolific offenses in college football. You know it’s a big deal when Nike owner Phil Knight, PAC-12 commish Larry Scott and over 20 NFL scouts pack the press box.

Oregon received the opening kickoff and on their second play of the game a fumble by QB Marcus Mariota gave the ball to ASU on the Duck 28 yard line. On the play, defensive lineman standout Will Sutton who caused the fumble had to be assisted off the field with an apparent knee injury. ASU’s first play QB Taylor Kelly hit wide out Kevin Ozier for a 28 yard touchdown pass. And before the crowd could come down from their fever pitch, Oregon’s speed demon Kenyon Barner shot through the ASU defense for a 71 yard run. A two point conversion to kicker Rob Beard put Oregon up 8-7 1:12 into the game. No sooner did ASU get the ball back when they marched back downfield to the Oregon 26 yard line before the drive stalled. Out marched kicker Alex Garoutte, with what we all knew was going to be a failed 43 yard field goal attempt. Unfortunately, it went wide right.

Oregon didn’t hesitate on the next drive as they marched down field for a 74 yard drive in 14 plays with Mariota hitting freshmen Bralon Addison on a 6 yard touchdown throw. A Rob Beard extra point made the score Oregon 15 ASU 7. It was also during this drive that it was announced on TV that Will Sutton would not return. A HUGE loss in the center of the d-line for the Sun Devils. ASU’s next drive sputtered which gave the ball back to the Ducks. And just like pouring gasoline onto a fire, the Oregon offense sped back downfield. Even when ASU would get a tackle for a loss or break up a play in the backfield, Oregon wouldn’t flinch and rattle off another big gainer. Really without much effort, the Ducks went 15 plays for 78 yards and another score. This time it was a two yard pass from back up QB Bryan Bennett to starting QB Mariota. In true Oregon fashion, they’ve had a kicker catch a two point conversion and a QB with a touchdown catch. End of the first quarter mercifully ended Ducks 23 ASU 7.

The first play of the second quarter saw ASU QB Taylor Kelly get intercepted, which led to another Kenyon Barner score three plays later. In many of my pre-game descriptions to friends, this Oregon team can put up 20-30 points on you within a New York minute if you’re not careful. And if the loss of Sutton wasn’t enough, defensive end Junior Onyeali was also injured in the first quarter and has yet to return. The idea of having to stop this Duck offensive without two of the d-line starters is daunting. With another feeble attempt of a drive failing for ASU wasn’t bad enough, Oregon’s next drive featured a 86 yard run by QB Marcus Mariota for a score. Another Kelly interception and another score by Barner put this game at 43-7.

What makes this first half depressing to this reporter isn’t so much the score, but the fact it’s being broadcast to a national audience and also having huge recruiting implications. A dose of reality is probably good for this team, but this wasn’t the way to receive it. Oregon’s first punt didn’t come until a little over six minutes left in the half. I’m also questioning the play calling a little bit as they’ve slipped further behind. The mix of run/pass plays was a little heavily loaded on the run. Some mis-direction or play action would slow down the Duck defense a little and maybe give Taylor Kelly some more time. We shall see what Coach Todd Graham has in store for us in the second half.

The best press box halftime quote came from ASU color commentator and former Rose Bowl MVP Jeff Van Raaphorst. “Coach Graham should have the Animal House John Belushi Germans bombing Pearl Harbor quote playing in the locker room”.

Now that all the east coast televisions had turned off, of course the third quarter turned into a football game. A bunch of punts exchanged and no scoring. But you know what they say about shutting the barn door after all the animals have escaped….

Early in the fourth quarter Taylor Kelly led ASU down to the Oregon 2 yard line only to stall out on downs without a score. Par for the course tonight. Michael Eubank replaced Kelly the next drive and had some success but it was obviously to late. Anthony Jones returned an interception for a score as well as DJ Foster scoring on a spectacular 23 yard catch, but it was against a back up Oregon defense. Final score mercifully was Oregon 43 ASU 21.

I found a few things rather interesting during the post game presser. First was, a few of the players didn’t think that Oregon was that fast. Maybe the sight of Ducks including the quarterback, zooming by you for 406 rushing yards didn’t convince you, but from the press box, it was obvious. This Oregon team was fast. The other comment made by Coach Graham was that ASU held Oregon scoreless in the second half. On paper that statement was true, but it was blatant to all watching that Oregon coach Chip Kelly had clearly backed off the gas pedal. Graham did take ownership of the changed game plan after Sutton got hurt, which is honesty that goes along way with the media and fans.

I take a few other notes from this game. Taylor Kelly finally got frustrated and made game changing mistakes. And to Graham’s credit, left him in the game to learn from his struggles. The ASU place kicking game is atrocious and needs to be fixed pronto. And finally, the injuries to Sutton, Onyeali and Andrew Sampson will help shape the outcome of the rest of the season. Which continues next weekend against UCLA during homecoming.

Think back to the Sun Devils last Rose Bowl trip. Ahhhh, Jake Plummer and gang were not only a little over a minute from a Rose Bowl victory, but a national championship as well. Oh, and by the way, that was also the same calendar year that the Arizona State Sun Devils last beat Cal in Berkeley. Ugh, gasp, yikes and throw in a Newman! for good measure. Three coaches later, Todd Graham brings in another ASU squad to shake off Berkeley demons.

So as I settle into my seat in the absolutely beautiful new press box in Memorial Stadium on this late September afternoon, a cool breeze comes through the windows from Strawberry Canyon. And after a few minutes with my fellow media types, we realize a glaring mistake in the design. An electronic billboard situated right under our windows blocks a good portion of our view of the field. I know, boo hoo, but with all the millions spent on the facility, its an interesting miss on design.

Clad in black pants, white jerseys and black helmets, ASU got the ball first. A non de-script 7 play for 31 yard drive was punctuated by QB Taylor Kelly’s third punt of the year. All within the 20! A quick four and out by Cal, gave the Devils a ball back on their own 33. The ensuing 9 play, 67 yard drive was highlighted with a 27 yard catch by RB DJ Foster. The one yard touchdown pass from Kelly to birthday boy Darwin Rogers was Rogers’ not only his first touchdown but also his first career catch. The highlight of the first quarter was the six tackles for loss by ASU and the high revving motor of defensive lineman Will Sutton. ASU 7-0 at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter started with ASU receiving a punt. After a botched fake hand off, Kelly fumbled the ball and then it was kicked backwards. Never getting out of that hole, Josh Hubner got off a 62 yard punt, his career longest. Cal then began to march downfield. Keenan Allen’s 44 yard reception, the longest given up by ASU this year, put the Golden Bears into Sun Devil territory. Capping off the drive was an Isi Sofele 32 yard touchdown scamper. 76 yards in three plays, the game was now tied. A really difficult pill to swallow because the Devil defense was so stout throughout the opening quarter. Without missing a beat ASU took the ball right back downfield for a 28 yard Alex Garoutte field goal. After a few exchanges of punts ASU got the ball back with a little more than three minutes in the half. Not letting an opportunity go to waste, Taylor Kelly hit former Sun Devil JR Redmond’s cousin Kevin Ozier for nine yard touchdown pass to send the Devils into halftime leading 17-7.

As reported in last weeks story, the third quarter has been a desolate island for ASU scoring and also the biggest scoring quarter for their opponents. Cal managed to put up three points while the Sun Devils only scraped out three themselves as Alex Garoutte hit a 34 yarder but also doinked one off the right upright earlier in the quarter. The way the third quarters have been going this year, I’d prefer to skip them altogether.

To continue with kicking woes, ASU’s first drive in the fourth quarter ended with a blocked field goal attempt of 37 yards. The very next drive the Cal offense awoke as Zach Maynard found his step brother Keenan Allen in the end zone to make the score 20-17 ASU. ASU countered with a drive of their own with Kevin Ozier grabbing his second touchdown of the day to put Sun Devils back up by 10 points. A quick four and out by Cal should have sealed the deal for ASU, but the ugliness of the kicking game continued to rear it’s head when Garoutte pushed a 30 yard field goal left. Cal got the ball back but the ASU defense stymied the Golden Bears and the game finished ASU 27 Cal 17.

A few things that I take from this great road win. It looks like Coach Graham is slowly moving to just using quarterback Taylor Kelly with intermittent Eubank sightings. Another note that is becoming more apparent this year is Coach Graham loves to use his time-outs. Most teams try to preserve their “TO’s”, but Graham uses them like they’re unlimited. Hopefully there won’t be a day where this will bite them in a crunch situation. The discipline of this team is becoming more apparent as well as a great turnover discrepancy. Overall a great road win to send this team into a bye week and then into Boulder, Co to take on the Buffs next Thursday night.

The first road game is out of the way, the non-conference schedule is finished and unfortunately adversity has been experienced and the two headed quarterbacked team of the Arizona State Sun Devils didn’t handle it well. With all of that being said, we finally welcome the start of PAC-12 conference play with the Utes of Utah visiting Sun Devil Stadium tonight. ASU dispatched the Utes last year in Utah 35-14, so the there will be a level revenge tonight. And for the second straight year Utah has lost starting QB Jordan Wynn to an injury. And this time it was a career ender, as he stepped away from the game two weeks ago. Kick-off on this first day of fall was in a beautiful balmy 99 degrees.

Utah’s first drive stalled out on the ASU 33 yard line as they went for it on a fourth and three. ASU didn’t waste anytime as they took the ball downfield on their first possession and scored on a 38 yard Taylor Kelly to Rashard Ross pass. Utah could only muster two yards on their next drive before punting the ball back to ASU. Taylor Kelly and Michael Eubank then proceeded to head right back into Utah territory on a seven play drive and scored again on a one yard touchdown run by Cameron Marshall to put ASU up 14-0 eight minutes into the game. After the kickoff the Utes had the ball for three plays before John White IV fumbled the ball away. ASU took over on the 34 Utah yard line. Even though the ASU drive started with a sack for a seven yard loss, the Sun Devils took the ball downfield and on a 10 yard Marion Grice reception for a TD putting ASU up 21-0 with almost four minutes left in the first quarter.

The second quarter started amidst a Utah drive that culminated in a two yard touchdown pass from Jonathan Hays to Carl Williams. The Ute drive took up 5:24 minutes with 11 plays and 91 yards. A Hays fumble recovered by a teammate and a defensive interference in the end zone kept the drive alive for Utah. After a penalty on the kick-off, ASU started on their own yard line but a couple of big plays to Rashard Ross and Kevin Ozier set up a 22 yard Alex Garoutte field goal. Another four and out led to ASU getting the ball back on their own 30 after the Utah punt. 10 plays and 70 yards later Cameron Marshall put up his second TD of the game to make it ASU 31 Utah 7. ASU had a chance to make it six for six with points on each drive before the half, but Garoutte missed a 51 yard field goal attempt. Final Damage for the half? 347 total yards and no turnovers. It appears, ‘left lane, hammer down’ is back.

After an exchange of a few punts to start the third quarter, Utah began to move the ball downfield when ASU free safety Keelan Johnson stepped into a Jonathan Hays pass to give his offense the ball on their own 39 yard line. A 10 play, 56 yard drive that looked a little sluggish at times resulted in another Garroutte field goal. For that matter, the 3rd quarter all season has been a little sluggish for ASU. The Sun Devils have given up more points in that quarter combined with scoring the fewest points is something of concern. Almost reminiscent of how you feel the first hour or two after lunch everyday. You could call it a halftime hangover if you may. The funny part of it is that the 2nd quarter is the Sun Devils best scoring quarter.

The first play of the fourth quarter was a fumble by Taylor Kelly, resulting in a 40 yard field goal miss by redshirt sophomore Jon Mora. Travis Wilson replaced Jonathan Hayes at QB for the Utes and it still didn’t help as Utah punted the ball away with a little more than 10 minutes left in the game. ASU went with Michael Eubank at quarterback most of the fourth quarter with the offense only producing another Alex Garoutte field goal. Final score ASU 37 Utah 7.

If there was a doubt on how the tough Missouri loss would affect ASU, tonights game should answer those doubts. With over 500 yards total offense and only allowing a little over 200 yards, the Sun Devils started Pac-12 play with a bang. The receivers looked sharp, the defense tenacious and the more we see of Taylor Kelly, the better this season looks. Although there were no turnovers, there were eight penalties this team will have to answer for during the next week of practices. Next up on the docket is a road game to Cal to face the Golden Bears. If there was ever a time to put a stop to the never ending jinx of losing in the state of California, this would be it.

Fast forward a week and the Arizona State Sun Devils are in Columbia, Missouri and facing one of the Southeast Conference’s (SEC) newest teams, the Missouri Tigers. On a low 70′s fall afternoon clad in maroon pants and white jerseys, ASU walked onto Faurot Field with confidence. But that confidence quickly dissipated. In Coach Grahams handbook of winning football games, number one and number two are limiting penalties and no turnovers. Unfortunately, the Sun Devils started reading in chapter 2, as all they did in the opening quarter was turn the ball over and commit penalties. An illegal hands above the shoulders prolonged a Tiger drive resulting in three, while a Jamal Miles turnover led to a six yard td run by back-up QB Corbin Berkstresser. A few good defensive plays and penalties on Missouri’s part were the only reason the score at the end of one was only 10-0 Missouri.

After the defense held Missouri to start the second quarter, Michael Eubanks came in as the new QB only to be greeted by a swarm of black shirts for a two yard loss. Two plays later ASU had to once again punt. After a booming punt from the end zone, the Tigers went back on the offensive only to be stopped by a Brandon Magee interception on the three yard line. Another lifeless effort on offense, led to another Josh Hubner punt from his end zone. Although it was a career long 62 yards, the Tigers ran a reverse bringing the ball back to ASU’s 18 yard line. Four plays later it was Missouri 17 ASU 0. After the ensuing kick-off, ASU took over on their own 34 yard line with what would surely be another meaningly worthless effort to move the ball. Oops, ASU found a pulse in their motionless body. In a nice mix of runs, screen plays and ASU receivers actually catching the ball, both Taylor Kelly and Eubank drove the Devils. Capping off the drive was a 33 yard Kelly pass to DJ Foster for the Devils first score of the day. The half ended Missouri 17 ASU 7. A pure lessing considering the Tigers had the ball more than double the Devils.

The second half started with Taylor Kelly running all over for yards and a few first downs, but it eventually ended in another Hubner punt that pinned the Tigers inside their ten. After a couple of key third down conversions, the Tigers moved down field only to miss a 37 yard field goal. And consistent with his idea of a two quarterback system, Coach Graham had Michael Eubank start the next drive. In what is becoming VERY obvious even to those of us in the press box, the Sun Devils don’t possess any kind of serious passing threat when Eubank is in the game. So after a sorry three and out, the Devils bring in Hubner to punt only to see him fumble the ball and get away an 11 yarder. Six plays and 33 yards later, the Tigers punched it in with a 1 yd run to make the score Missouri 24 ASU 7.

So with any rays of light dimming, the Devils put together a drive that went into the fourth quarter that ended with MArion Grice touchdown to get ASU within 10 points. A quick three and out for Missouri gave the ball right back to ASU who delivered a quick six play touchdown drive, but unfortunately a mis-handled snap on the extra point cost the Devils as they were now down by four. A missed Missouri field goal after a lengthy drive was all the Devils needed to slip into the Missouri night with a victory. But after four plays inside the Missouri 3 yard line resulted in no points, and another last minute drive fell short with a Taylor Kelly in the end-zone, the Devils lot was cast in a 24-20 loss.

The first taste of adversity for the Sun Devils in 2012, resulted in bitter beer face. Without starting QB, junior James Franklin, the Tigers pushed the ASU squad around rather easily through three quarters. Red shirt freshmen QB Corbin Berkstresser handled the offense efficiently. Just when you thought the Tigers would put this game out of reach, they failed on a third down or missed a field goal to keep the hopes of Sun Devil fans alive. ASU’s defense played stellar considering the positions they were put in. The most notable of comments from Coach Graham in the post game presser were about his platooning quarterbacks and how it may not be working. A sizeable turnaround from previous comments. It’s not like I’ve ever mentioned it before….So with all that being said, somehow the Devils still had many chances to steal a win, but failed. My worst fears of being 2-0, and going on the road to lose a heartbreaker is now a streak of four straight years.

It was 51 weeks ago the Arizona State Sun Devils travelled to Champaign, Illinois to face the fighting Illini of the University of Illinois. And with revenge on their mind, with a completely different coaching staff, game plan and discipline mentality, ASU welcome Illinois to Tempe. And on a side note, I’d like to commend Illinois for not giving in to the folks who have nothing better to do than try to eliminate valid collegiate nicknames. Although their mascot Chief Illiniak has been removed, the name, Illini, continues. But enough digression, there was a football game tonight.

Word came down earlier in the week that Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase would be questionable for tonights game as he suffered a sprained ankle in last weeks win over the Broncos of Western Michigan. The depth of how much this loss would mean to the Illini, would quickly become apparent. After winning the coin toss, Illinois elected to kick and defer possession to the second half. After a 31 yard return by Jamal Miles, Taylor Kelly led the Devils down the field on an eight play 68 yard drive only to lose the ball on the Illinois one yard line with a Cameron Marshall fumble. After holding Illinois and their back-up quarterback Reilly O’Toole to only 23 yards, the Sun Devils got possession back on their own 35 yard line. And just like the first drive, Taylor Kelly drove the Devils back down field but this time, he hit wide out Kevin Ozier for six. ASU 7 Illinois 0. Of course the buzz in the Mid First Bank Press Box was how great Kelly looked and when would we see the platooning of him with Michael Eubank? Illinois’s next possession was for three plays, two yards and then a punt. ASU got the ball back on their own 40 then proceeded back down field with seven plays for 60 yards and topping it off with a Cameron Marshall one yard touchdown run. ASU 14 Illinois 0. The quarter ended with no ASU penalties, one turnover and no Michael Eubank sighting.

The dual quarterbacking of Reilly O’Toole and 3rd stringer Miles Osei would continue for the Illini in the second quarter. Osei would get the Illini on the board with the opening drive of the second quarter with an impressive 11 play 75 yard drive topped by a Donovonn Young 17 yard touchdown scamper. ASU replied like they have all game but this drive featured Michael Eubank at control. Seven plays and 84 yards later saw Eubank hitting Chris Coyle for a one yard TD catch. ASU 21 Illinois 7. After a Carlos Menodoz interception, both Kelly and Eubank contributed on the next drive to put the Devils up 28-7 with Coyle’s second TD on the evening. Neither team would score the rest of the half but linebacker Carlos Mendoza secured his second interception of the game.

While Illinois figured the second half deferment to get the ball may have been good in theory, in did not come to fruition. On the second play of the third quarter ASU’s Alden Darby picked off a O’Toole ball and returned it 34 yards down to the Illinois 13 yard line. Two plays later its ASU 35 Illinois 7 on a DJ Foster one yard rush for the score. Illinois would eventually put together an eight play 80 yard drive to bring the score to ASU 35 Illinois 14 to end the quarter. With having only allowed 3 scores this season, curiously two of them have been allowed in the 3rd quarter. Just something to look at as the season unfolds.

The fourth quarter saw a Alex Garoutte 35 yard field goal as well as a Michael Eubank 7 yard scramble to make the final score 45-14 ASU. In addition to the gaudy 510 total yards on offense there were two turnovers, which will make for some long meetings for the offense, as Coach Graham preaches ball protection as one of the mainstays for this team’s success. The running game effort was another solid production from Marshall, Foster as well as the two headed quarterback position. The only receiver to really have stood out in the first two games is little known Chris Coyle as he had a break-out game of 10-131 against the Illini. His availability in my PAC-12 fantasy league will not make it by the 6am hour on Monday. Jamal Miles returned from a one game absence to get in a few carries as well, as he also handled two kickoffs.

So while I finish this story with the lights in Sun Devil Stadium half lit and televison crews stacking their equipment, I reflect on the last few years of having this same feeling in my stomach. The Devils are about go on the road while 2-0. But each of the last three years the Sun Devils having started their season 2-0 before hitting the road, have lost heartbreakers to Georgia, Wisconsin and Illinois. This makes it four straight years of 2-0, and next week is a road trip to Missouri. Lets hope the streak stops at three.

In his fourth head coaching position in the last seven years, Todd Graham stepped onto Frank Kush Field tonight as ASU’s 23rd head football coach. Previous stops were at Rice, Tulsa and Pittsburgh before joining the maroon and gold of ASU. Graham brings along a mentality of hard nosed, disciplined football, something the Sun Devils have lacked the last few years. So on a balmy 96 degree evening in August, ASU kicked off another season against their neighbors to the north, the Lumberjacks of Northern Arizona.

The biggest question mark for the Sun Devils heading into 2012 was the quarterback position. Coming out of spring ball Mike Bercovici had a slight lead over Michael Eubank and Taylor Kelly. Even going into the fall training camp period, the depth chart remained the same. But after a few weeks of fall camp and a trip back up to Camp Tontozona, red-shirt sophomore Taylor Kelly from Eagle, Idaho emerged from the pack to named the starter.

The problem with starting the season off with NAU is that when you win, you are suppose to win, but if its close or you lose, then the team has problems. There really isn’t much you can take from games of this nature. So when the Sun Devils take the first drive 10 plays and score a touchdown, you sit back and say thats the way its suppose to start. But when your offense rolls up 252 yards in the first quarter in route to a 14-0 lead, thats when you start to take notice. And when ASU goes into the half 42-0 with over 350 yards total offense, you have to hesitate and take this game with a grain of salt. This Lumberjack team is just not that good. My problem is how the quarterbacks have been handled. Taylor Kelly started with intermittent substitutions of Michael Eubank. No passing yards for Eubank just hand offs and three caries for 22 yards himself. This type of substitutions might work against the likes of NAU, but when you start to get into serious PAC-12 play, this will never work in my opinion. You need a consistent voice in practice and on game day to lead your team. Coach Graham responded to a question pertaining to the platooning during the post game presser. “It worked well at Tulsa, there’s no reason it shouldn’t work here”. The definitive highlight on defense in the first half was the 45-yard interception returned for a touchdown by Brandon Magee. After missing all of last year to an injury, it sure is nice to have his energy and voice in the huddle. Especially when he postponed baseball career to return for his senior season.

With a half time score of 42-0, the 2nd and 3rd stringers started to get some playing time in the third quarter. And this is when the defense started to give up some yardage which eventually led to a third quarter NAU touchdown. ASU running back Marion Grice who has started the season deep in the depth chart had a career game with three touchdowns, two of them in the fourth quarter. Graham talked about the depth at running back. “We have an arsenal of guys back there that do a tremendous job. There were a lot of guys that did great things” The Sun Devils managed to pound out a 554 yard offensive game against the overwhelmed Lumberjacks. Which was fully expected.

Besides being happy with the performance tonight Coach Graham was not happy with the one fumble lost and the four offensive penalties. Absent from tonights game were Jamal Miles and Kyle Middlebrooks. Both missed the game in response to acts/activities from earlier in the year according to Coach Graham. The absence of Mike Bercovici was explained in the post game presser by Coach Graham as, “He’s a great Sun Devil, and I think we need to evaluate whether he will redshirt this year”. My thoughts? He’ll redshirt and probably transfer. Mind you, those are my gut feelings only.

So ‘Left lane, hammer down’ has officially started. The rest of the year should be exciting, because Coach Graham said that tonights offensive pace was “excruciatingly slow”. So lets find overdrive, because after this first weekend of collegiate action, theres a lot of PAC-12 traffic in that far left lane.

The 2012 PAC 12 college football year enters it’s second season with a third of it’s coaches being new to the conference. With half of the Southern Division being part of that turnover, USC off of probation and recent newcomers Utah and Colorado improving, it should be an interesting season.

The 2012 PAC 12 football media day was held at the Gibson Theater in Universal Studios this year. The always forward and innovative thinking conference commissioner Larry Scott, who has held this media day on the lot of FOX Studios as well as mid field at the Rose Bowl brought new and energized opening statements to this years gathering. The headline of course is the introduction of the only conference owned television network, the PAC 12 Network. Not only will every football game be televised, but the reach of the network will be felt nationwide with coverage of every sport as well as in depth stories and preview shows. Just another huge step forward for the ‘Conference of Champions’.

After opening remarks from Larry Scott and PAC 12 Enterprises President Gary Stevenson, Colorado was first on stage. In what was a rather mundane Q and A, especially with both player representatives giving generic middle of the road answers, Coach Embree had the best response to a question. When asked about having to replace a quarterback, tailback, tight end, receiver and maybe some linemen, his response was, “Sounds like a question for the offensive coordinator”. Next up on the podium were Arizona Wildcats coach Rich Rodriguez, quarterback Matt Scott and linebacker Jake Fischer. Followed directly by Arizona State’s coach Todd Graham, running back Cameron Marshall and linebacker Brandon Magee. Utah, UCLA and USC rounded out the first part of the morning. Of course the main auditorium started to fill up the closer it got to Lane Kiffin and All-American Matt Barkley’s appearance.

Unlike the well documented coaching career of Arizona’s new head coach Rich Rodriguez, Arizona State’s Todd Graham comes to Tempe with a multitude of questions. One thing is for sure his high intensity workouts and wanting to embrace the Sun Devil past, is turning heads not only in Arizona, but around the conference.

During the rest of the day while the rest of the teams do their obligatory time on stage it was a great time to stroll around and watch the coaches and players do their breakout interviews with selected media. Watching the look on Jeff Tedford, Cal’s head coaches face when he walked by Utah’s defensive tackle Star Lotulelei (6’4″ 320) and then when he looked at running back John White IV (5’8″ 188) was great. I can see the gears turning, “We have to try and stop these guys on both sides of the ball?”. When Colorado defensive back Ray Polk leaned back in his chair at lunch and ‘accidently’ bumped into the back of ASU’s Cameron Marshall was also funny. He apologized but you can tell he was playing. I interjected, “Hope you you remember touching him, because that’s as close as you’ll get the rest of the year!”. That got a good chuckle from all involved.

Below, is the final rankings from the PAC 12 media poll:
(And no, I didn’t pick ASU #1)

NORTH DIVISION
1. Oregon (117 first place votes) 732 points
2. Stanford (5) 533
3. Washington 502
4. California (1) 382
5. Washington State 228
6. Oregon State 205

SOUTH DIVISION
1. USC (117) 729
2. Utah (1) 514
3. UCLA (2) 435
4. Arizona 385
5. Arizona State (3) 353
6. Colorado 164

PAC-12 TITLE GAME CHAMPION: USC (102 votes)

Others receiving votes: Oregon (18), Arizona State (3)

The Big Show, John Cena, Chris Jericho and The Miz battle as the briefcase hangs above the ring.

Phoenix is not widely known for many things; dry heat, golf, Steve Nash and Spring Training. But it may be time to add one very important item to that list: WWE Pay-Per-Views. Five times the Valley of the Sun has hosted a marquee WWE event, including SummerSlam in 2003 and the biggest one of all, Wrestlemania at University of Phoenix Stadium in 2010. It’s also hosted numerous Monday Night Raw and SmackDown episodes. More times than not, when the WWE pulls their trucks into Phoenix, fans in attendance can expect a grea tshow. Sunday night at US Airways Center was no exception, as the WWE presented Money In The Bank.

Full disclosure, I have been a huge WWE fan since I was a little kid. I remember sitting in my best friend’s dad’s office watching Hulk Hogan defend America against Sgt. Slaughter at Wrestlemania VII. I remember watching Wrestlemania IX at Caesar’s Palace when Bret Hart lost the belt to Yokozuna, only to have Hogan win it from Yokozuna mere minutes later. Growing up in Seattle, we didn’t get to see the WWE live very often, and when they did come to town, it was generally a house show (non-televised) at the Tacoma Dome or at the old Mercer Arena. So the fact that Phoenix is a regular stop for the WWE is thrilling to me. Watching matches live reminds me of going to the shows in Seattle with my grandfather, dad and brother and always puts a smile on my face. I have rarely left a show in Phoenix disappointed. Phoenix fans have seen some classic battles, from the Elimination Chamber at SummerSlam, to Booker T. becoming King Booker at Judgment Day in 2006 to Undertaker/Michaels II at Wrestlemania XXVI. Money In The Bank on Sunday night just added to that long list of classic matches, with three absolutely spectacular contests that any true wrestling fan would appreciate.

There is a belief that you can judge how good a show is going to be by its opening match. If it’s a sleeper, the crowd will get restless and it will be difficult to re-engage them. Bring the house down right away, and you will have the fans on the edge of their seats all night long. Sunday night’s opener was definitely the latter (pun intended). The first match of the night was the Money In The Bank match for the World Heavyweight Championship contract and featured eight up-and-coming Superstars battling for the briefcase. The Phoenix crowd was in to this match from the minute the first competitor’s entrance music hit, and the match didn’t disappoint. By the time Dolph Ziggler left the ring with his briefcase and title shot in hand, there was carnage strewn about. Ladders and bodies were spread around, the aftermath of a hard-fought, well put together performance. It featured several “wow” moments that had the crowd breaking out into the famous ECW chant that features a four-letter word that rhymes with spit.

The WWE Championship Match featured challenger Daniel Bryan vs. Champion CM Punk with Bryan’s former (?) girlfriend AJ as the special guest referee in a No Disqualification Match. This was a classic battle between two talented, young stars who left absolutely everything they had out in the ring. From kendo sticks to chairs to tables, Punk and Bryan duked it out in one of the best matches I have ever seen in person or on TV. Watching Punk, it is no wonder why he is such a huge star. The Phoenix crowd responded to his every move, and his in-ring charisma was easy to see. On the flip side, Bryan plays a perfect “bad guy”, egging on the crowd, who knows they are supposed to boo him, but have to applaud him for his effort. In the end, it was Punk who retained the belt after putting Bryan (and himself) through a table.  AJ did her job, and was everything a guest ref should be, the invisible third person in the ring.

The main event of the night was the final Money In The Bank match for the WWE Championship contract. This one had the added feature of featuring five competitors who were all previous WWE Champions. The crowd got a bonus when The Miz made his return from a long layoff and entered the contest, facing off with Kane, The Big Show, Chris Jericho and John Cena. From the moment the bell sounded it was non-stop action, and when Cena put Big Show through the Spanish announce table with an Attitude Adjuster, it was a jump out of your seat moment. The Big Show is 7-0 tall and 441 pounds, and Cena (who is no slouch at 6-1, 251) cleanly picked him up, put him on his shoulders and tossed him onto the announce table as if he were a rag doll. It may not have been as significant as Hulk Hogan bodyslamming Andre the Giant at Wrestlemania III, but it was certainly impressive to see live. Just for good measure, the remaining Superstars in the match all threw ladders on top of Big Show, leaving him buried under a comically large pile. From that point on it was bodies flying, ladders flying and several near misses as the Superstars reached for the briefcase. When The Big Show finally was able to emerge from his metal cocoon, he pulled out a special ladder just for him, one that would be big enough to hold his massive frame. Several times near the end of the match, you thought you knew who would win, only to have someone else come in and prevent it. Eventually it was John Cena who emerged victorious, earning the victory by bashing The Big Show in the head with the briefcase as it was hanging over the ring, eventually snapping off the handle to claim the victory. The crowd responded not only to the Cena victory, but to a well put together and wonderfully executed show.

I have been to many wrestling events in many cities, including Wrestlemanias in both Anaheim and Phoenix and Pay-Per-Views in Las Vegas and Phoenix. The Phoenix crowds are smart and appreciate the efforts that the Superstars put forth. They know when to cheer, when to woo!, when to boo and when to applaud two competitors who  have given absolutely everything they had for the enjoyment of the masses. The WWE and the city of Phoenix have become a match made in wrestling heaven; smart, appreciative fans and talented performers who put on an amazing display of athleticism and entertainment. Whether you are a fan of the WWE or not, one has to appreciate the time and energy the performers put in to their craft. That’s what the Phoenix fans do, and I believe that it why the WWE continues to bring big time events to the Valley of the Sun.

Before the show began on Sunday, the WWE made a special announcement to the crowd. The 2013 Royal Rumble would be coming to Phoenix, marking the first time a West Coast city not located in California would play host to the marquee event. It also makes Phoenix the first West Coast city and one of only eight to have hosted three of the four main WWE Pay-Per-Views (Wrestlemania, Royal Rumble, SummerSlam and Survivor Series). Phoenix joins New York, Philadelphia, Detroit, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia and Miami in the club. Only Detroit, Boston and New York have hosted all four.

Clearly the WWE feels that Phoenix is one of the best places to stage an event and that is why the Royal Rumble will be coming to US Airways Center in January. If Sunday night’s Money In The Bank was any indicator of what is in store for January, get your tickets now. You won’t want to miss the show.

Randy Policar spent 10 years working as a public relations man in professional and college sports. He has worked for the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Rattlers, Phoenix Mercury, Arizona Cardinals and Arizona State Sun Devils. He has also worked a Super Bowl, World Series, College World Series, over 30 Bowl games and four BCS Title Games.

Like most sports fans, I root for David over Goliath. I despise the Yankees and am sick of the Patriots. I’d sooner root for the Russian Olympic team than the Detroit Red Wings (aren’t they one and the same?). But when it came to this year’s NBA Finals, I found myself squarely in the corner of the Miami Heat. I realize that this was like pulling for Darth Vader, Lex Luthor, Vince McMahon and Hannibal Lecter all at once, but I had good reason. This had nothing to do with LeBron James, Erik Spoelstra, Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh. It had everything to do with their opponent. You see, I was born and raised in Seattle, Washington, making me a Seattle SuperSonics fan.

My father was an original season ticket holder of the Sonics, getting his first pair of tickets in 1967. He had those tickets until the day Clay Bennett stole the team and moved it in July of 2008. In between my family enjoyed the highs and the lows of being Sonics fans. Although born one year after their 1979 NBA Title, I proudly displayed my World Champions pennant on my bedroom wall. I knew all the players stats backwards and forwards during the “Gruesome Greenies” days of the mid-80′s. The Western Conference Finals in 1993, the first round heartbreak in 1994 and the 1996 NBA Finals against Michael and the Bulls. I was there for all of them. When I moved to Arizona for college, I never gave up loving my Sonics. I would go see them play the Suns, wearing a Vin Baker jersey to the jeers of the Suns fans. But I didn’t care, because you never forget your first love. I love baseball and the Mariners and I love football and the Seahawks, but the Sonics were the first team I remember loving.

A lot of people across the country, including in Phoenix, don’t understand how Seattle people can still be bitter about the Sonics leaving town. I have been told to get over it, grow up, move on, etc. What most people don’t realize is that Seattle was an NBA town first and foremost. Although it may not seem like it here right now, Phoenix is the exact same way. And that’s because before there were the Cardinals, Coyotes or Diamondbacks, there were the Phoenix Suns. I have seen first-hand how this city reacts when the Suns are good and in contention for an NBA title. Same thing with Seattle. Before the Seahawks, Mariners and Sounders, there were the Sonics. The way Suns fans feel about the San Antonio Spurs? That’s how Sonic fans used to feel about the Phoenix Suns. During the 1993 Western Conference Finals, people in Seattle felt that the NBA wanted to make sure that it was Charles Barkley vs. Michael Jordan in the Finals, so they made calls to ensure it. Tim Donaghy’s allegations (his reputation not withstanding) certainly didn’t help the matter. 10 years later, the exact same conspiracy theories floated around Phoenix about Stern and the Spurs.

So why haven’t we gotten over it? Time, for one, is a huge factor. The move is still fresh in most of our minds. Maybe after 10 years it will be different, but right now, the wounds are still healing. The way it went down is another reason. It isn’t like the city didn’t support the team and that’s why they moved (common misconception). In actuality, an egomaniacal coffee mogul led to the team moving. Howard Schultz, the Starbucks magnate, owned the team. He would sit courtside in his ugly, Mr. Rogers sweaters and make sure everyone in the building knew he owned the team (replace the sweater with a foam finger and Suns fans will have an idea of what this is like). Well, Mr. Double Tall Venti Skim decided he needed to sell the team (for reasons I won’t go into). Did he try and find a local owner? No, despite a number of local billionaires who also happened to be Sonics fans. Instead he asked his good buddy David Stern to help him find an owner quickly. And Mr. Stern did, bringing in his good pal Clay Bennett, of the Oklahoma City Bennetts, to purchase the team. Bennett immediately dismantled the team, raised ticket prices and complained to anyone who would listen about his ancient, decrepit KeyArena (re-modeled and re-opened in 1995). Bennett claimed he would make a good faith effort to keep the team in Seattle, despite e-mails to business partners saying he was a “man possessed” when it came to moving the team to Oklahoma City. He put in the same good faith effort into keeping the team in Seattle as I do when I say I will vacuum the living room on my day off. Long story short, the future of the team in Seattle was doomed the minute Coffee Boy sold them to Clay Bennett. And where was Commissioner Stern in all this? He was practically helping Bennett pack, lovingly wrapping his knick knacks in bubble paper. He showed absolutely zero interest in keeping the team in a city it had called home for 41 years. Which is what makes the past few months even more frustrating for Seattle. While the city is trying to put together an arena deal to bring the Sonics back, it seems as if Stern is going door-to-door trying to find local buyers for other teams who could potentially relocate. He facilitated Tom Benson buying the New Orleans Hornets, helped find a Memphis owner for the Grizzlies (even though their owner said they weren’t for sale) and has acted like a, ahem, man possessed trying to keep the Kings in Sacramento. So with all due respect to Suns fans and their hatred of David Stern, get in line. It forms behind the Space Needle.

Is Seattle the first city to lose a pro sports team? Certainly not. In fact, they lost the Pilots following the 1969 season when a used car salesman named Allan H. Selig bought them out of bankruptcy and moved them to Milwaukee in time for the 1970 season. The city of Seattle sued, and thus the Mariners were born in 1977. I have heard that no one in Minneapolis has venom towards the Lakers. While that’s true, the Lakers moved to Los Angeles in 1960, so that is like comparing apples to apples from 1960. Also, the city had basketball return with the Timberwolves. When the North Stars moved to Dallas, Minnesota fans hated the Stars and the NHL realized their error and brought them the Wild. Winnipeg fans were devastated when the Jets moved and now, voila, the Jets are back. New Orleans got a second chance at basketball after the Jazz left. Charlotte too. So it’s possible Seattle may one day get the Sonics back, but that doesn’t soften the blow any now.

Last week in Seattle, a rally was held downtown to help convince the City and the NBA to bring the Sonics back. 4,000 people attended the mid-afternoon get together that included Shawn Kemp, Gary Payton and Detlef Schrempf. Last season, the Mariners held a Sonics night, and a near sell-out crowd gave standing ovations to all of the 20 former Sonics who attended. Seattle is a city desperate for basketball and deserving of basketball.

This brings me back to the 2012 NBA Finals. While 48 states were most likely rooting for Kevin Durant, James Harden’s beard and the Thunder to deny LeBron James his ring, Miami had a friend in Seattle. Seeing Durant in that hideous blue and orange instead of the glorious green and gold was enough to make me want to replay The Decision on my DVR. Seeing Clay Bennett at the NBA Finals nearly forced me to listen to Big Willie Style just to hear Welcome to Miami. Because just like any Seattle Pilots fan boos Bud Selig and the Brewers, Sonics fans have to boo David Stern and the Thunder. And while the NBA has tried to erase all memory of the Seattle SuperSonics (when was the last time you saw a Durant highlight from his rookie year?), they can’t erase them from Seattle’s minds. That’s why I rooted for the Miami Heat to win.

And if you think I need to get over it and move on, that’s fair. But beware Suns fans, for as much as you hate Robert Sarver, remember it’s better to hate him as the owner of the Phoenix Suns than it would be to hate him as the guy who needed money and sold the Suns to that Microsoft billionaire who moved them to Seattle.

Randy Policar spent 10 years working as a public relations man in professional and college sports. He has worked for the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Rattlers, Phoenix Mercury, Arizona Cardinals and Arizona State Sun Devils. He has also worked a Super Bowl, World Series, College World Series, over 30 Bowl games and four BCS Title Games.

Of course, the year starts with both the Coyotes and Suns mid-way through their seasons. With both of those teams having major questions, the ugly saga of Coyotes’ ownership combined with the lackadaisical middle of the road line-up offered over on Planet Orange explains the less-than-stellar attendance for both. One place where attendance is never a problem is on the sun-baked links of North Scottsdale. As the sports year continues with the “Greatest show on Grass”, the 2012 PGA Waste Management Phoenix Open. And if you’ve read this column in the past you’ll know my opinion of the most-attended PGA tour stop every year. As a matter of fact, the third round attendance set a tourney as well as PGA one day record of over 173,000 people. But for golf fans, this year’s event will be more remembered for Spencer Levin’s final round of 74. Going into Sunday with a six-stroke lead, Levin’s collapse and Kyle Stanley’s final round of 65 created a final round of intrigue and suspense. And if this wasn’t enough golf drama, the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship takes place three weeks later down in Marana, AZ, where the golf is a head-to head matchup with no room for a bad round. This year in a quest for the #1 ranking in golf, Rory Mcilory lost to Hunter Mahan in the final. Not to be deterred, the young Irishman would eventually gain the coveted number one spot within the next few weeks.

If golf is a little mundane for your taste, and you seek a little more horsepower the opportunity to see two of the major race series come literally within two weeks of each other. The insane horsepower of the National Hot Rod Association rode into Firebird Lake for the Arizona Nationals in February. Traditionally the second race of the season, the 2011 schedule had the AZ Nationals in the late fall. But the 2012 schedule had the race weekend back where it belongs as the second race of the season after the Winter Nationals in Pomona, CA. I’ve preached for years that before stating an opinion of this race form, one must have to attend an event. As my daughter puts it, “Daddy, when the cars go by my insides shake around”. And you won’t find any more colorful personalities than in the NHRA. This year’s Top Fuel category winner Antron Brown is one of the most genuine and entertaining interviews in all of sports. And who can’t resist a vintage John Force rant. And just two weeks later the NASCAR nation invaded Phoenix International Raceway for the Subway Fresh Fit 500 where Denny Hamlin came away with a victory circle visit.

To round out the first quarter of the year the boys of summer are currently amidst their annual right of passage to the Valley. Fifteen Major League Baseball teams are drawing fans from across the country to watch their favorite teams get their winter kinks out. And if that wasn’t enough, the NCAA March Madness gets a little southwest cooking as the West bracket gets their Final Four representative from the US Airways Center next weekend. And of course the Arizona Rattlers, the indoor warriors of football, start their season every March.

I believe you really have to step away from Phoenix to really appreciate the great opportunities sports fans have when most of the country is still enjoying winter. NBA, NHRA, NHL, NASCAR, PGA, AFL and the MLB all in three months with the best weather in America.

My spring cleaning wouldn’t be complete without a few words about a departed friend. No, he didn’t pass away, he just left the sports world to join the private sector. Randy Policar, formerly of the Arizona State University sports information office will be sorely missed. Most sports fans don’t realize the best friend of any media member is the media relations or sports information directors. They credential, allow access to players, feed valuable information as well as babysit the media. A great relationship with these staffers is invaluable to the beat writer. I’ve had the pleasure to work with Randy during his time with the Diamondbacks, Rattlers/Mercury as well as ASU. And now as Randy starts his new career outside the ‘velvet ropes’ I would like to thank him for being part of this reporters media career. This journey would never have been the same without him.

Four years ago the Oklahoma Sooners and the Oklahoma State Cowboys invaded the Valley of the Sun to participate in the Insight & Fiesta Bowls. Fast forward to 2011/12 and once again the Orange and black as well as the crimson and cream cover the greater Phoenix landscape. But this time, the Sooners played in the Insight and the Cowboys in the Fiesta. Unfamiliar roles indeed, as the Sooners have been BCS regulars while the Cowboys have been mired in lower tier bowls. But could the Cowboys find the elusive Fiesta win the Sooners were denied? Even Oklahoma State booster extraordinaire T. Boone Pickens commented that the rise of his Cowboys was two years earlier than even he thought.

The Insight scoring was started the same way a lot of Oklahoma scoring was all year. Quarterback Landry Jones would lead his team downfield and then once in the red zone back up quarterback Blake Bell would get the nod for the score and the Sooners would lead the Iowa Hawkeyes 7-0 after the first quarter. The scoring was similar for the Stanford Cardinal, as they too led the at the end of one with a beautiful 53 yard Oliver Luck pass to wide out Ty Montgomery. The appearance of sleep from Iowa and Oklahoma State was not more evident than the Cowboy’s one yard rushing, 27 total yards and zero first downs in the first fifteen minutes. But unlike Iowa, Oklahoma State decided to make it a game in the second quarter.
While Blake Bell scored his second touchdown in the second quarter to lead the Sooners to a 14-0 half time lead over the still apathetic Hawkeyes, the scoring brigade gates opened widely in the Fiesta Bowl.

After a Jeremy Stewart 24 yard scamper to put the Cardinal up 14-0, it became the Brandon Weedden to Justin Blackmon show as they connected on touchdown passes of 43 and 67 yards. Not to be outdone, the Cardinal proceeded to march downfield and finished the drive with a four yard touchdown run by Stephan Taylor to put the Cardinal back up by seven. The Cowboys got the ball back with 2:18 left in the half which was plenty of time as quarterback Brandon Weeden called his own number with just :27 seconds left in the half to send the game into the half knotted up at 21.

Interestingly enough, in both games the third quarter was rather quiet with Oklahoma getting the only points in the Insight and only 10 total points scored in the Fiesta. But fear not, the fourth quarter is what makes games great, and both the Insight and Fiesta had a lot left to show.

It only took three quarters for the Iowa Hawkeyes to awaken and when they did, it proved exciting. Scoring early in the quarter, playing some defense and scoring again with just under seven minutes to play lit a fire under the Sooners behinds. But unfortunately the Hawkeyes couldn’t keep the Sooners off the board late and they gave up a field goal and a late touchdown to lose 31-14. The final 15 minutes in the Fiesta lived up to every game in recent memory. Both the Cowboys and Cardinal threw everything they had to close out this BCS game. With just mere minutes left on the clock, Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck drove his team 63 yards to set up a game winning field goal with no time left on the clock. Red shirt freshmen kicker Jordan Williamson then missed a 35 yarder to send the game into overtime. With Stanford getting the ball first, the Cowboy defense got stout when it needed it the most and Stanford had to rely on their kicker again with a 41 yard attempt which also went left for his third miss of the night. On the Cowboys second play from scrimmage in overtime Brandon Weeden hit fellow senior and overlooked wide out Colton Chelf for what appeared to be a game winning touchdown, but after further review it showed he was down on the one. Setting up a field goal, Weeden took a knee on the five yard line before his punter/kicker Quinn Sharp drilled the 22 yarder home to give the Cowboys of Oklahoma State their first BCS bowl victory and arguable their biggest win in football history.

In retrospect, Oklahoma and their storied football pedigree took care of business in the Insight and Oklahoma State didn’t wilt under the bright spotlight of the BCS to make Arizona one of the most popular places to be outside the great state of Oklahoma. The result of the 41st annual Tostitos Fiesta Bowl also sent the Pac-12 conference into the off season with a dismal 2-5 bowl record. Perhaps that’s why the conference will display four new head coaches in the 2012 season.

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Well, thats what the advertising campaign promotes. But unfortunately for the Arizona State Sun Devils, the Maaco Bowl Las Vegas was nationally televised. In a bowl game that featured two teams going in totally opposite directions, tonights outcome was rather predictable. A one loss Boise State team feeling very slighted by the BCS versus an Arizona State team who has lost four in a row to finish the season 6-6. A 14 point spread was very generous.

ASU deferred the opening kick to Boise St, which in turn returned it 100 yards courtesy of one Doug Martin. Boise St 7- ASU 0. Arizona State’s first two drives were a total of nine plays and 24 yards. In the mean time Boise St put up another score on a 14 yard pass from Kellen Moore to Tyler Shoemaker and a 14-0 lead. Arizona States first quarter was more of the same we’ve seen the last month of the season. Multiple penalties (3 in a row at one point) and what I call ‘November tackling”. Reaching and slapping at the ball carrier. The quarter ended on an ASU drive that went five plays for 0 yards and took 2:27 off the clock.

The second quarter started with a Boise St 8 play 80 yard drive and Moore to Matt Miller touchdown pass. Followed directly by a Vontaze Burfict unsportsmanlike personal foul. The two teams exchanged punts before ASU found its offense. A 12 play 66 yard drive resulted in an Alex Garoutte 32 yard field goal. Many in the press box as well as stands thought a first down try would have been more prudent, but the ASU lame duck coaching staff opted for three. Boise ST 21 – ASU 3. On Boise’s very next drive quarterback Kellen Moore let loose a guaranteed pick six beach ball to DB Deveron Carr only to have him trip on the Sam Boyd field turf and drop the ball. A costly drop, as the Broncos scored another touchdown five plays later on a vintage Bronco trick play as wide out Matt Miller hit TE Kyle Efaw to go up 28-3.The quarter mercifully ended with that score.

The second half started the same as the first half. In something I have never seen before, both halves began with kick-off returns for scores. ASU’s Rashard Ross took the second half kick 98 yards to pull ASU to within 18. On the next two Boise drives ASU’s defense manned up and picked off Moore and recovered a Moore fumble. The Sun Devil offense? A four and out and then a 100 yard Boise St pick six. The quarter ended Boise St 35- ASU 10. All told ASU’s offense went 0-3 on third downs, 0-2 on fourth downs, a minus 12 yards rushing and one interception in the quarter.

The 4th quarter was an exhibition of two teams that knew the game was over and forgot to play defense. While Boise scored the first two touchdowns with one coming on a fumble return ASU managed to fight for a touchdown on a Gerrell Robinson 21 yard pass. The game MVP Doug Martin, scored Boise’s final points while Osweiler actually found seldom used wide out George Bell for a 30 yard score almost as time was expiring. The final gun mercifully went off with the final score Boise St 56 – ASU 24.

The outcome of this game was not surprising and actually was a relief for this Sun Devil season to finish. Although ASU QB Brock Osweiler secured a few Sun Devil passing records during this game, they were lost in a teary post game press conference as he said goodbye to the coach who brought him to Tempe. Besides an opponent who arguably got screwed by the BCS, this ASU squad had to deal with a 4 game losing streak, and exiting coach and a new coach who came in and started wrecking havoc inside the athletic department. Next up? The Todd Graham era…..

2011 Las Vegas Bowl Post Game Sound

2011 Las Vegas Bowl Post Game by sparkyfan

As with the hiring of all new head coaches fans ponder the greatness of the incoming regime and all the championships they’ll accumulate. And Wildcat fans are no different. With the hiring of their new football coach Rich Rodriguez, Wildcat fans are enjoying the holidays with a smug demeanor how they ‘got over’ on the rest of the colleges looking for their next great coach. But in reality, they had their potential new head coach all along and didn’t even realize it.

Enter Offensive Coordinator Sonny Dykes. In his three-year tenure at the University of Arizona as OC, the Wildcats became one of the most powerful offenses in the Pac-10. This after he helped Mike Leach and the Texas Tech Red Raiders become one of the nations most potent offensive units. Before his arrival in Tucson, the Wildcat offense was anemic, punchless and lacked any kind of big play ability. That changed in his three years in the Old Pueblo guiding receiver Mike Thomas and quarterback Willie Tuitama to conference honors as well as escalating the Arizona offense to national rankings in several categories. But unfortunately for Wildcat fans, the administration was so enamored with Mike Stoops and his two bowl invites (on the back of Dykes offenses) that they extended his (Stoops) contract. So when Dykes left, so did Arizona’s hopes of national prominence. Back to back seasons of 7-6 and 1-5 before Stoops was relieved of his duties.

So as the 2011 Western Athletic Conference coach of the year sits speaking to the media post 2011 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl, one must wonder if Arizona made the right decision when it chose a football family coaching tree to lead their program. The Stoops or Dykes.

Most importantly, the 2012 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl has an epic match-up and perhaps the most anticipated game of the bowl season. LSU was a clearcut #1 all year, but who they should play in the BCS Championship game has been hotly contested. Both Fiesta Bowl participants, Stanford and Oklahoma State, feel they should have had an opportunity for the elusive national championship. But both teams with one loss must prove their mettle on January 2nd in the 41st annual Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

So on a beautiful holiday weekend late (8:21pm kickoff) friday evening with a student section looking like a Florida Marlins game, the Arizona State Sun Devils took the field on Senior Night. And immediately after kick-off the Cal Bears took the ball downfield and put up a 48 yard field goal to take the lead 3-0. Not to be out done, ASU proceeded to march down field and in 11 plays and covering 80 yards Cameron Marshall punched the ball in from the one to take a 7-3 lead. After a weak 59 yard kickoff the Bears started their next drive on their own 29. They then rattle off a six play 71 yard scoring drive with none of the plays going for less than 11 yards. The score coming on an Isi Sofele 18 yard run. Cal 10- ASU 7.

The ensuing kickoff saw Jamal Miles return the ball 51 yards to the Cal 45. And in the ‘we continue to show how we’ve lost three games in a row to lesser talented teams’ category, seldom used and disappointing tailback Kyle Middlebrooks fumbled the ball away. First play for Cal resulted in an ASU pass interference penalty and then a 16 yard run by quarterback Zach Maynard for a touchdown. The 1st quarter ended with ASU having the ball over 10 minutes but trailing the Golden Bears 17-7. The first play of the second quarter saw Osweiler find fan favorite Aaron Pflugrad for 16 yards to bring the score 17-14. The second drive in the quarter ASU had the Bears stopped on third down but committed another pass interference penalty which kept the drive going. Five plays later CJ Anderson punched it in from the one to extend CAL’s lead back to 10 points. Before Sun Devil fans could reseat themselves after the kick-off, on ASU’s first play Osweiler was picked off with CAL getting the ball back on the Devil 16 yard line. Despite another ASU penalty, they still only allowed a field goal to keep the Bears within a two score range. Just as quick as they fell behind, ASU took the next drive in for a touchdown and on the following kick-off, turned a fumble recovery into another score. Halftime score, ASU 28- Cal 27.

The scoring continued into the 3rd quarter as ASU put up 10 points and Cal 14. A more important storyline of the third wasn’t so much the score but three more ASU penalties. The big one coming from Vontaze Burfict in what might be his final personal foul he ever commits as a Sun Devil. Burfict sat on the bench through the entire fourth quarter dis-interested and dis-connected. A sad ending for what was suppose to be a spectacular season for the junior linebacker. Cal mustered only two field goals in the fourth quarter but it was more than enough as ASU couldn’t get any offense going. Final score CAL 47- ASU 38.

The disappointment of this game was muffled by the previous three weeks worth of losses. To go from #18 ranked in the country with a record of 6-2 and the ‘easy’ part of the schedule ahead, to 6-6 is a numbing experience. A numbness the Devils will have to take into a second tier bowl game. Two questions remain for the ASU 2011 season, what bowl will they attend and will Coach Erickson be coaching them. The only highlight of the night for me was having one of my Pac-12 fantasy team players apologize to me for a sub-par season. Hey, its something….