Arizona State Sun Devils football

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Arizona State Sun Devils football
AmericanFootball current event.svg 2024 Arizona State Sun Devils football team
Arizona State Athletics wordmark.svg
First season 1897
Athletic director Jim Rund (interim)
Head coach Kenny Dillingham
1st season, 3–9 (.250)
Stadium Mountain America Stadium
(capacity: 53,599)
Field surfaceBermuda Grass
Location Tempe, Arizona
NCAA division Division I FBS
Conference Pac-12
Past conferencesIndependent (1897–1930)
Border (1931–1961)
WAC (1962–1977)
All-time record62842324 (.595)
Bowl record15171 (.470)
Unclaimed national titles2 (1970, 1975)
Conference titles17
Division titles1 Pac-12 South (2013)
Rivalries Arizona (rivalry)
Consensus All-Americans17
Current uniform
Arizona state football unif.png
ColorsMaroon and gold [1]
   
Fight song"Maroon & Gold"
Mascot Sparky
Marching band Arizona State University Sun Devil Marching Band
Outfitter Adidas
Website TheSunDevils.com

The Arizona State Sun Devils football team represents Arizona State University in the sport of American college football. The Sun Devils team competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as a member of the Pac-12 Conference. Arizona State University has fielded a football team since 1897. The Sun Devils are led by head coach Kenny Dillingham and play their home games at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils have won seventeen conference titles. [2]

Contents

A number of successful and professional football players once played for ASU. The school has 3 unanimous All-Americans and 16 consensus selections. [3] Among the most lauded players the school has produced are Pat Tillman, Terrell Suggs, Jake Plummer, Mike Haynes, Darren Woodson, Charley Taylor, and John Henry Johnson.

In addition to its players, ASU's football program has had several notable head coaches, including Hall of Famers Dan Devine and John Cooper and national champion Dennis Erickson. The all-time school wins leader is Hall of Fame coach Frank Kush, for whom Frank Kush Field at Mountain America Stadium is named. Kush also consistently led the Sun Devils to victory against the Arizona Wildcats, ASU's traditional rival, losing to the Wildcats only twice between 1963 and 1979. [4] [ circular reference ]

History

Early history (1896–1957)

Frederick M. Irish served as the first head football coach at the Territorial Normal School, renamed Tempe Normal School in 1903 and now known as Arizona State University, coaching from 1896 to 1906 and compiling a record of 12–8. Territorial Normal did not field a football team in 1897, 1898, or 1901. George Schaeffer served as the head football coach at Tempe Normal School from 1914 to 1916, compiling a record of 7–8. Aaron McCreary oversaw the school's football program from 1923 to 1929. During this time, the school changed its nickname from the Owls to the Bulldogs and the name of the school was changed to Arizona State University. [5] McCreary left ASU with a 25–17–4 record. [6] Ted Shipkey led the Arizona State football program from 1930 to 1932, compiling a record of 13–10–2. [7] [8] Shipkey was replaced by Rudy Lavik, who led Arizona State to a less impressive 13–26–3 mark in his five seasons. [9] Dixie Howell served as ASU's head coach from 1938 to 1941, compiling a record of 23–15–4. [10] In 1947, Ed Doherty became head coach at Arizona State, where he compiled a 25–17 record from 1947 to 1950. He left ASU five days after defeating rival Arizona, 47–13, because he felt that he didn't have enough job security. [11]

Hall of Fame RB John Henry Johnson played at ASU in the early 1950s Johnson 1961 Topps.jpg
Hall of Fame RB John Henry Johnson played at ASU in the early 1950s

Clyde Smith took over the reins of the Arizona State football program in 1952, and under his leadership, they compiled a record of 15–13–1. [12] Smith resigned following the 1954 season. [13] On February 5, 1955, Michigan State assistant coach Dan Devine accepted the head coaching position at Arizona State. [14] Joining him as an assistant was Frank Kush, who would have even greater success at the school after Devine's departure. During his three years, Devine compiled a record of 27–3–1 (.887), including a spotless 10–0 mark during his final campaign. [15] In that last season, Devine's team led the nation in total offense and scoring, averaging just under 40 points per game in the latter category. [14] Devine's success at Arizona State resulted in an offer from Missouri, which he accepted on December 18, 1957. [16]

Frank Kush era (1958–1979)

Hall of Fame DT Curley Culp played at ASU from 1965 to 1967 1986 Jeno's Pizza - 50 - Buck Buchanan and Curley Culp (Curley Culp crop).jpg
Hall of Fame DT Curley Culp played at ASU from 1965 to 1967
Hall of Fame WR Charley Taylor played at ASU in the early 1960s Charley Taylor, 49ers at Redskins 2019 (48933481837) (cropped).jpg
Hall of Fame WR Charley Taylor played at ASU in the early 1960s

Frank Kush was promoted to the position of head coach at Arizona State, which he would hold for the next 22 years. During his time at Arizona State, Kush was known for being one of the most physically demanding coaches in the game. His daily football practices in the heat of the Arizona desert are still the stuff of legend today.

During his lengthy career in the desert, Kush compiled a record of 176–54–1, with only one losing season. In his first 11 years, he captured two conference titles and finished runner-up five times. That success led to him accepting the head coaching job at the University of Pittsburgh on January 4, 1969. However, just five days later, Kush had a change of heart and returned to Arizona State. [17]

Kush's return would begin a memorable era in Sun Devil football history with five consecutive Western Athletic Conference championships as the team won 50 of 56 games from 1969 to 1973. During this time, Arizona State won the 1970 Peach Bowl and the first three editions of the Fiesta Bowl. In 1974, the team dropped to 7–4, but bounced back with authority the following year when they went 12–0, capping the year with a thrilling 17–14 win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Fiesta Bowl, a game in which Kush's son, Danny, kicked three field goals, including the game winner. A down year in 1976 saw the team fall to 4–7, but another comeback resulted the next year with a 9–3 mark. In that year's Fiesta Bowl, the Sun Devils lost a bowl game for the only time under Kush's leadership, with a 42–30 defeat to Penn State. In 1978, Kush's team once again finished 9–3, this time defeating Rutgers in the Garden State Bowl.

In September 1979 former Sun Devil punter Kevin Rutledge filed a $1.1 million lawsuit against the school, accusing Kush and his staff of mental and physical harassment that forced him to transfer. The most dramatic charge was that Kush had punched Rutledge in the mouth after a bad punt in the October 28, 1978, game against the Washington Huskies. During the next few weeks, overzealous fans turned things ugly when the insurance office of Rutledge's father suffered a fire and the family's attorney received two death threats. [18]

On October 13, 1979, Kush was fired as head coach for interfering with the school's internal investigation into Rutledge's allegations. [19] Athletic director Fred Miller cited Kush's alleged attempts to pressure players and coaches into keeping quiet. The decision came just three hours before the team's home game against Washington. Kush was allowed to coach the game, with the Sun Devils pulling off an emotional 12–7 upset of the sixth-ranked Huskies, fueled by the angry crowd incensed by the decision. After the game ended, Kush was carried off the field by his team. [18] The win gave him a 3–2 record on the season, but all three victories were later forfeited when it was determined that Arizona State had used ineligible players.

Future NFL players who played under Kush at Arizona State include Charley Taylor, Curley Culp, Danny White, Benny Malone, Mike Haynes, and John Jefferson and Steve Holden. Baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson also played a year of football at Arizona State for Kush on a football scholarship before switching to baseball. [20]

Darryl Rogers era (1980–1984)

Darryl Rogers replaced Kush and led the Sun Devils to a 37–18–1 record in five seasons. [21] The best season of the Rogers era came in 1982, a 10–2 campaign that resulted in a Fiesta Bowl win and a No. 6 ranking in the final AP and Coaches' polls. [22] Rogers accepted an offer to serve as head coach of the NFL's Detroit Lions and left ASU after the 1984 season. [23]

John Cooper era (1985–1987)

John Cooper left his post as Tulsa head coach and became the head coach at Arizona State in 1985. His teams played in three consecutive bowl games, including the 1987 Rose Bowl. [24] Notably, he was just 0–2–1 against arch-rival Arizona. He accepted the job as head coach at Ohio State on December 31, 1987. [24] The 1986 team won the school's first Pacific-10 Championship and went on to defeat the Michigan Wolverines in the 1987 Rose Bowl. [24]

Larry Marmie era (1988–1991)

ASU promoted Larry Marmie from defensive coordinator to head coach to replace Cooper. [25] Marmie's tenure was marked by mediocrity and disappointment, with a 6–5 mark in 1988, [26] a 6–4–1 record in 1989, [27] a 4–7 campaign in 1990, [28] and a 6–5 season in 1991. [29] School administrators fired Marmie following the 1991 season, amidst fan impatience. [30]

Bruce Snyder era (1992–2000)

Bruce Snyder left California to become ASU's head coach in 1992. [31] Snyder's 58 wins and nine-year tenure as head coach at Arizona State each rank second in school history to marks set by Frank Kush. Snyder led ASU to four bowl games including a win in the 1997 Sun Bowl. [31] More than 40 ASU players coached by Snyder were selected in the National Football League Draft, including seven in the first round, and more than 40 others signed free agent contracts in the National Football League. In 1996, Snyder led the Sun Devils to one of the finest seasons in school history and was named Pacific-10 Coach of the Year. [31] The 1996 squad finished with an 11–1 record and captured the Pacific-10 championship. The Sun Devils stunned the top-ranked and two-time defending national champion Nebraska Cornhuskers in the season's second game. Arizona State reeled off the third undefeated regular season in school history en route 1997 Rose Bowl, where they came within 19 seconds of a victory over Ohio State. Had they won, the Sun Devils would have likely won at least a share of the national championship, as they would have been the only undefeated major-conference team in the nation. For his efforts that season, Snyder won a number of national coaching awards, including the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award and the Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award. [31] Snyder stepped down as ASU head coach following the 2000 season. [31]

Dirk Koetter era (2001–2006)

Boise State head coach Dirk Koetter was hired to replace Snyder in 2001. [32] At Arizona State, Koetter compiled a 40–34 record and four Bowl appearances in six years. [33] Under Koetter the Sun Devils were known for a vertical passing attack. On November 26, 2006, Koetter was terminated as the head football coach. [34] His final game was the 2006 Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve, a 41–24 loss.

Dennis Erickson era (2007–2011)

Coach Erickson Coach Dennis E interview.jpg
Coach Erickson
ASU quarterback Rudy Carpenter hands off to tailback Dimitri Nance in the 2008 game at California ASU@Cal 2008.jpg
ASU quarterback Rudy Carpenter hands off to tailback Dimitri Nance in the 2008 game at California

Seasoned coaching veteran Dennis Erickson left Idaho for the opportunity to lead his fourth BCS program. Athletic director Lisa Love hired him on December 9 to replace the recently fired Dirk Koetter. Arizona State was Erickson's third head coaching stint in the Pacific-10, after Washington State and Oregon State. In addition to Idaho, Erickson also had college head coaching tenures at Wyoming and Miami, as well as in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers.

Arizona State paid $2.8 million to Koetter and a $150,000 buyout to Idaho to complete the hiring of Erickson to a five-year contract. He immediately paid dividends for ASU, leading the Sun Devils to a 10–2 regular season record in 2007, a share of the Pacific-10 title, and a berth in the Holiday Bowl. Erickson was named the 2007 Pacific-10 Coach of the Year, becoming the first to ever win the award at three different Pacific-10 schools. He also coached another major award winner; placekicker Thomas Weber was named the Lou Groza Award winner. Erickson worked for the relatively low salary of $500,000 from ASU in his first season, with another $2 million paid by the 49ers for the last year of his NFL contract. The remaining four years of the original ASU contract paid $1.275 million per year. [35] In 2008 the Arizona Board of Regents had approved a contract extension to keep Erickson at Arizona State through June 2012. [36] Erickson's early success at ASU was not sustained, as the Sun Devils failed to have another winning season and lost three of four Territorial Cup rivalry games against Arizona. In his final four seasons, Erickson was 21–28 overall and 14–22 in conference. After opening the 2011 season with a promising 6–2 record, Arizona State suffered four straight Pac-12 defeats in November to end the regular season, and Erickson was fired on November 28. [37] He was allowed to coach in their bowl game on December 22, but ASU was soundly beaten 56–24 by Boise State in the Maaco Bowl in Las Vegas for their fifth consecutive loss.

Todd Graham era (2012–2017)

Todd Graham was announced as Arizona State University's head coach on December 14, 2011. [38] Graham came to ASU after only one season at Pittsburgh, informing his players and assistant coaches of his decision to leave Pitt for ASU via text message. [39] Graham also previously served as head coach at Rice for one season and Tulsa for four seasons.

In his first season at Arizona State, the Sun Devils went 8–5 securing their first winning season since 2007. With a win in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl against the Navy Midshipmen, the 2012 Sun Devils won the final three games of the season for the first time since 1978. [40] ESPN's Pac-12 Blog writer Ted Miller called Todd Graham's first season at Arizona State an "unquestioned success." [41] In 2013, Graham continued to build positive momentum and led ASU the Pac-12 South title after defeating UCLA and rival Arizona. ASU finished the season 10–4 and ranked No. 21 in the AP Poll and No. 20 in the Coach's Poll. [42] For his efforts in leading ASU to a Pac-12 South championship, Graham received the 2013 Pac-12 Coach of the Year Award. In 2014, ASU finished with yet another 10 win season by going 10–3 and ranking No. 12 in the final AP Poll and No. 14 in the final Coach's Poll. The season was capped off with Graham leading the Sun Devils to victory over Duke University in the Sun Bowl. [43] The 2015 season saw a big drop off for the program as the Sun Devils finished a disappointing 6–7 with a 42–43 loss to the West Virginia Mountaineers in the Cactus Bowl. The trend continued into the next two seasons. The Sun Devils finished 2016 on a 6-game losing streak which culminated in a 5–7 record. 2017 would be Graham's final season. The team improved only slightly, finishing 7–6 with a Sun Bowl loss to North Carolina State, 31–52. Graham and Arizona State agreed to part ways on November 26, 2017, following a 7–5 regular season. [44] [45]

Herm Edwards era (2018–2022)

WR Brandon Aiyuk in 2019 Brandon Aiyuk.jpg
WR Brandon Aiyuk in 2019

On December 3, 2017, longtime NFL coach and ESPN analyst Herm Edwards was announced as the next head coach of the Sun Devils. [46] Edwards kicked off the 2018 season with a 2–0 record, including a marquee win over then #15 Michigan State. Despite the promising start, the Devils dropped four of their next five games, sitting with a 1–3 conference record. Arizona State surged, winning their next three, but fell just short to Oregon and a Pac-12 South title. The Territorial Cup was played at Arizona Stadium on Saturday, November 24. Arizona led the Sun Devils by 19 points entering the fourth quarter, but a wild comeback by ASU, capped off by what would've been a game winning field goal by Arizona, resulted in the cup staying in Tempe. The Sun Devils then faced Fresno State In the Las Vegas Bowl, losing 31–20 and completing the season with a 7–6(5–4) record. Herm Edwards started his second season off 3–0, once again beating #18 Michigan State, this time on the road. ASU dropped their conference opener against Colorado, but bounced back with two straight wins, including a victory over #15 Cal to improve to 2–1 in conference play before dropping four consecutive games, officially disqualifying them from the Pac-12 South title. Arizona State shocked #6 Oregon at home, winning 31–28 in front of a packed stadium. The Sun Devils capped off the season with a win over rival Arizona, 24–14, and a Sun Bowl victory over Florida State, 20–14, finishing with a record of 8–5(4–5). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic Pac-12 teams had only six games scheduled. Arizona State dropped their first game to #20 USC 28–27 in heartbreaking fashion, and their following two contests were cancelled due to COVID complications within the Arizona State program. The Sun Devils returned from their nearly month long hiatus with a game versus UCLA, which they lost at home 25–18. ASU traveled to take on Arizona in Tucson for the 94th installment of the Territorial Cup. The Sun Devils slaughtered the Wildcats, 70–7, retaining the Cup for the third straight year. In their fourth and final game of the season, Arizona State capped off the season with a 46–33 win over Oregon State to finish the season 2–2 (2–2). In June 2021, rumors began circulating of several NCAA violations committed by Herm Edwards and the Arizona State staff, which were confirmed by several articles, including one published on June 23 by Pete Thamel of Yahoo! Sports. As a result of the allegations, tight ends coach Adam Breneman, defensive backs coach Christian Hawkins, and wide receivers coach Prentice Gill were placed and remain on administrative leave. [47] [48] Despite the numerous allegations of violations and rumors that the entire staff may be fired after the season, Herm Edwards and his Sun Devils finished 8–5 overall and 6–3 in Pac-12 play. The season concluded with a 20–13 loss to Wisconsin in the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl. During the 2021-2022 offseason, multiple coaches including Zak Hill and Antonio Pierce resigned. [49] 17 players including the starting quarterback Jayden Daniels and All-American linebacker Eric Gentry, entered the transfer portal as a result of the investigation and NIL. [50] On September 18, 2022, Arizona State fired Edwards the day following a 30–21 loss to Eastern Michigan. [51]

Kenny Dillingham era (2023–present)

On November 27, 2022, Kenny Dillingham, previously the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Oregon, was named as Arizona State's head coach. [52] His first season with the team resulted in a 3–9 finish, [53] with a notable 15–7 loss to the eventual National Champion runners-up Washington Huskies. [54]

Conference affiliations

Championships

Conference championships

Arizona State has won 17 conference championships, seven in the Border Conference, seven in the Western Athletic Conference, and three in the Pac-12 Conference.

YearCoachConferenceRecordConference record
1931 Ted Shipkey Border 6–23–1
1939 Dixie Howell Border8–2–14–0
1940 Dixie HowellBorder7–2–23–0–1
1952 Clyde B. Smith Border6–34–0
1957 Dan Devine Border10–04–0
1959 Frank Kush Border10–15–0
1961 Frank KushBorder7–33–0
1969 Frank Kush WAC 8–26–1
1970 Frank KushWAC11–07–0
1971 Frank KushWAC11–17–0
1972 Frank KushWAC10–25–1
1973Frank KushWAC11–16–1
1975 Frank KushWAC12–07–0
1977Frank KushWAC9–36–1
1986 John Cooper Pacific-10 10–1–15–1–1
1996 Bruce Snyder Pacific-1011–18–0
2007 Dennis Erickson Pacific-1010–37–2

† Co-champions

Division championships

Arizona State lost the 2013 Pac-12 South division championship.

YearDivisionCoachOpponentCG result
2013 Pac-12 South Todd Graham Stanford L 14–38

Unclaimed National Championships

Despite being the only team to finish undefeated in the 1975 season, ASU was ranked 2nd place in both the AP and Coaches rankings. However, on January 17, 1976 Sporting News Ranked ASU as the #1 team in College Football for the 1975 season. [55] The National Championship Foundation also recognized ASU as the #1 ranked team in the nation. ASU was also ranked #1 in 1970 by the Poling System (1935–1984). [56]

SeasonConferenceCoachSelectorOverall recordConference recordBowlOpponentResult
1970 WAC Frank Kush Poling System 11–07–0 Peach Bowl North Carolina W 48–26
1975 WAC Frank Kush Sporting News/ National Championship Foundation 12–08–0 Fiesta Bowl Nebraska W 17–14

Bowl games

Arizona State at the Rose Bowl UCLA Rose Bowl record.jpg
Arizona State at the Rose Bowl

Arizona State has played in 33 bowl games in its history. The Sun Devils have a bowl record of 15–17–1. [57]

DateCoachBowlOpponentResult
January 1, 1940 Dixie Howell Sun Bowl Catholic T 0–0
January 2, 1941Dixie Howel Sun Bowl Western Reserve L 13–26
January 2, 1950 Ed Doherty Salad Bowl Xavier L 21–33
January 1, 1951Ed Doherty Salad Bowl Miami (OH) L 21–34
December 30, 1970 Frank Kush Peach Bowl North Carolina W 48–26
December 27, 1971Frank Kush Fiesta Bowl Florida State W 45–38
December 23, 1972Frank Kush Fiesta Bowl Missouri W 49–35
December 21, 1973Frank Kush Fiesta Bowl Pittsburgh W 28–7
December 26, 1975Frank Kush Fiesta Bowl Nebraska W 17–14
December 25, 1977Frank Kush Fiesta Bowl Penn State L 30–42
December 16, 1978Frank Kush Garden State Bowl Rutgers W 34–18
January 1, 1983 Darryl Rogers Fiesta Bowl Oklahoma W 32–21
December 22, 1985 John Cooper Holiday Bowl Arkansas L 17–18
January 1, 1987John Cooper Rose Bowl Michigan W 22–15
December 30, 1987John Cooper Freedom Bowl Air Force W 33–28
January 1, 1997 Bruce Snyder Rose Bowl Ohio State L 17–20
December 31, 1997Bruce Snyder Sun Bowl Iowa W 17–7
December 25, 1999Bruce Snyder Aloha Bowl Wake Forest L 3–23
December 25, 2000Bruce Snyder Aloha Bowl Boston College L 17–31
December 27, 2002 Dirk Koetter Holiday Bowl Kansas State L 27–34
December 31, 2004Dirk Koetter Sun Bowl Purdue W 27–23
December 27, 2005Dirk Koetter Insight Bowl Rutgers W 45–40
December 24, 2006Dirk Koetter Hawaiʻi Bowl Hawaiʻi L 24–41
December 27, 2007 Dennis Erickson Holiday Bowl Texas L 34–52
December 22, 2011Dennis Erickson Maaco Bowl Las Vegas Boise State L 24–56
December 29, 2012 Todd Graham Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl Navy W 62–28
December 30, 2013Todd Graham Holiday Bowl Texas Tech L 23–37
December 27, 2014Todd Graham Sun Bowl Duke W 36–31
January 2, 2016Todd Graham Cactus Bowl West Virginia L 42–43
December 29, 2017Todd Graham Sun Bowl NC State L 31–52
December 15, 2018 Herm Edwards Las Vegas Bowl Fresno State L 20–31
December 31, 2019Herm Edwards Sun Bowl Florida State W 20–14
December 30, 2021Herm Edwards Las Vegas Bowl Wisconsin L 13–20

Head coaches

Coach Cooper John Cooper at The Game in 2014.jpg
Coach Cooper
Coach Graham Todd Graham at 2014 Sun Bowl.jpg
Coach Graham
Coach Herm Edwards Herm Edwards-NFL Live (32558318905) (cropped).jpg
Coach Herm Edwards
TenureCoachYearsRecordPct.
1897–1906 Frederick M. Irish 812–8.600
1914–1916 George Schaeffer 37–8.467
1919 George E. Cooper 10–2.000
1922 Ernest C. Wills 10–3–1.125
1923–1929 Aaron McCreary 725–17–4.587
1930–1932 Ted Shipkey 312–10–2.542
1933–1937 Rudy Lavik 513–26–3.345
1938–1941 Dixie Howell 423–15–4.595
1942 Hilman Walker 12–8.200
1946 Steve Coutchie 12–7–2.273
1947–1950 Ed Doherty 425–17.595
1951 Larry Siemering 16–3–1.650
1952–1954 Clyde Smith 315–13–1.534
1955–1957 Dan Devine 327–3–1.887
1958–1979 Frank Kush 22176–54–1.764
1979 (interim) Bob Owens 13–4.429
1980–1984 Darryl Rogers 537–18–1.670
1985–1987 John Cooper 325–9–2.722
1988–1991 Larry Marmie 422–21–1.511
1992–2000 Bruce Snyder 958–47.552
2001–2006 Dirk Koetter 640–34.541
2007–2011 Dennis Erickson 531–31.500
2012–2017 Todd Graham 646–32.590
2018–2022 Herm Edwards 626–20.565
2022 (interim) Shaun Aguano 12–4.333
2023–present Kenny Dillingham 13-9.250

[58]

Home stadiums

Mountain America Stadium Sun Devil Stadium - Pac12 Championship.jpg
Mountain America Stadium

The Sun Devils play their home games at Frank Kush Field at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. Mountain America Stadium, formally known as Sun Devil Stadium, was constructed in 1958 and originally held a capacity of 30,000. [59]

On September 21, 1996, the playing surface was renamed Frank Kush Field after the long time ASU coach in a 19–0 upset of then top-ranked Nebraska. [59]

Prior to the construction of Mountain America Stadium, the Sun Devils played their home games at the following locations:

Culture

ASU's traditional uniform colors are maroon and gold Arizona State player entrance vs USC 3284.jpg
ASU's traditional uniform colors are maroon and gold

Arizona State fields a more-than-300-member marching band that performs at all home football games, bowl games, and the rivalry game with the University of Arizona. In addition to halftime shows and stand tunes, the Sun Devil Marching Band always play the Arizona State fight songs and the Alma Mater.

Rivalries

Arizona

Arizona State's longest and most intense rivalry is with the University of Arizona. The football game between the schools is nicknamed The Duel in the Desert, and the winner of the game receives the Territorial Cup. Arizona State won the first matchup in 1899 by a score of 11–2. Arizona holds the all-time series lead with a record of 51–45–1.

Since becoming a university in 1958, [60] Arizona State has the overall lead in the rivalry series with a record of 31–24–1. Since ASU and Arizona became Pac-12 Conference members in 1978, Arizona leads the series 19–16–1. In recent contests, an unranked Sun Devils team upset a ranked Arizona Wildcats team 30–29 in Tucson in 2010. After a strong start in 2011, ASU ended the season with a 31–27 loss to Arizona in Tempe. The Sun Devils finished the 2012 season with a win over the No. 24 ranked Wildcats in Tucson by a score of 41–34. In 2013, the No. 13 ranked Sun Devils beat the Wildcats 58–21 in Tempe. In 2014, the Wildcats hosted the game and beat the Sun Devils 42–35 to claim the Pac-12 South championship.

Practice facilities

Bill Kajikawa Practice Fields

Bill Kajikawa Practice Fields, located on Sixth Street and Rural Road, is normally where Sun Devil football team practices when weather permits.[ citation needed ]

Camp Tontozona

An Arizona State University property, is a 36-acre (150,000 m2) camp just outside Payson created by former legendary coach Frank Kush was used as a bonding place for his players. Tontozona has marked the unofficial start of the Sun Devils' seasons from 1960 to 2008. Due to the knack of losing practices to rainouts, short and torn up fields leading to excessive injuries, and travel costs, the team decided to move camp back to Tempe campus with the arrival of the Devil Dome. [61] After a 4-year absence the Sun Devils returned to Camp Tontozona starting in Aug 2012. [62] The team was able to make the return after a short fund raising effort by fans and alumni brought in over $160,000. [63]

Verde Dickey Dome

Formerly opened as Devil Dome and nicknamed,"The Bubble", $8.4 million practice facility broke ground on May 15, 2008 [64] to provide a climate controlled space for the Sun Devil football team, Sun Devil Marching Band, ASU Intramurals and for other athletic department events. Before its full completion and turn over from the contractor to the university on the night of August 28, 2008, a powerful storm brought it down. [65] The Bubble was re-inflated early October and was fully repaired for use in July 2009. During the 2009 season the facility was renamed and dedicated to generous donor Dr. Verde Dickey as the Verde Dickey Center, to not only commemorate his donation for the facility but also his donations to Sun Devil Marching Band and projects such as renovation of locker rooms in Wells Fargo Arena and Mountain America Stadium, Weatherup Basketball Center, The Athletes Performance Center, John Spini Gymnastics Center, and wrestling practice facility. [66]

Retired numbers

Arizona State Sun Devils retired numbers
No.PlayerPos.TenureRef.
11 Danny White QB, P 1971–1973 [67]
27Bobby Mulgado HB 1954–1957
33 Wilford White HB1947–1950
40 Mike Haynes CB 1974–1975
42 Pat Tillman LB 1994–1997

All-Americans

[68]

† Consensus All-Americans

‡ Unanimous All-Americans

College Football Hall of Fame Members

NamePositionYear
David Fulcher Safety2021
Jake Plummer Quarterback2019
Bob Breunig Linebacker2015
Pat Tillman Linebacker2010
Randall McDaniel Guard2008
Ron Pritchard Linebacker2003
Mike Hayes Wide receiver2000
Danny White Quarterback1997
Frank Kush Head coach1995
John Jefferson Wide receiver1983

Pro Football Hall of Fame Members

NamePositionPro Bowls# of SeasonsYearCareer History
Curley Culp DL / DT6142013Denver Broncos (1968), Kansas City Chiefs (1968–1974), Houston Oilers (1974–1980), Detroit Lions (1980–1981)
Randall McDaniel LG12142009Minnesota Vikings (1988–1999), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2000–2001)
Mike Haynes DB / CB9141997New England Patriots (1976–1982), Los Angeles Raiders (1983–1989)
John Henry Johnson HB/FB4131987San Francisco 49ers (1954–1956), Detroit Lions (1957–1959), Pittsburgh Steelers (1960–1965), Houston Oilers (1966)
Charley Taylor WR / RB8131984Washington Redskins (1964–1975, 1977)

Other notable players

Future Big-12 opponents

On November 1, 2023, Arizona State's Big-12 opponents from 2024 through 2027 were revealed, with their rivalry game against Arizona being a protected annual game. [69]

Future Arizona State Sun Devils Football Schedule
2024202520262027
vs BYU vs Arizona vs Colorado vs Arizona
vs Utah vs Texas Tech vs Baylor vs BYU
vs Kansas vs TCU vs Oklahoma State vs Utah
vs UCF vs Houston vs Kansas State vs Iowa State
at Arizona vs West Virginia at Arizona vs Cincinnati
at Texas Tech at Utah at BYU at Colorado
at Oklahoma State at Colorado at Texas Tech at TCU
at Kansas State at Baylor at Kansas at Houston
at Cincinnati at Iowa State at UCF at West Virginia

Future non-conference opponents

Announced schedules as of November 19, 2023. [70]

20242025202620272028202920302031203220332034
Wyoming Northern Arizona Bowling Green Cal Poly Northern Arizona Northern Arizona LSU at Florida Texas at Texas Northern Arizona
Mississippi State at Mississippi State at Texas A&M Texas A&M at San Diego State at LSU
at Texas State Texas State Hawaii at UNLV Florida San Diego State

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Mountain America Stadium is an outdoor college football stadium in the southwestern United States, on the campus of Arizona State University (ASU) in Tempe, Arizona. The stadium is officially named Mountain America Stadium, Home of the ASU Sun Devils. It was named Sun Devil Stadium until 2023. It is home to the ASU Sun Devils football team of the Pac-12 Conference. The stadium's seating capacity as of 2018 is 53,599, reduced from a peak of 74,865 in 1989. The natural grass playing surface within the stadium was named Frank Kush Field in 1996 in honor of the former coach of the team. The stadium underwent a five-year, $304-million renovation that was completed in August 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew Walter</span> American football player (born 1982)

Andrew Scott Walter is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils and was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He was also a member of the New England Patriots. After his playing career, he ran for office in the Arizona House of Representatives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dirk Koetter</span> American football coach (born 1959)

Dirk Jeffrey Koetter is an American football coach who is currently the offensive coordinator at Boise State University. He was the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL) from 2016 to 2018 and was the head coach at Boise State from 1998 to 2000 and at Arizona State University from 2001 to 2006, compiling a career college football record of 66–44 (.600). Koetter also served as the offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Atlanta Falcons, and the Buccaneers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Kush</span> American football player and coach (1929–2017)

Frank Joseph Kush was an American football player and coach. As a player he earned All-American honors in 1952 as a defensive lineman playing for the Michigan State Spartans.

The Arizona State Sun Devils are the athletic teams that represent Arizona State University. ASU has nine men's and eleven women's varsity teams competing at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level as a member of the Pac-12 Conference. The mascot was adopted in 1946; earlier nicknames were the Normals and later, the Bulldogs. The Sun Devil mascot, Sparky, was designed by former Disney illustrator Bert Anthony. ASU's chief rival is the University of Arizona Wildcats, and both universities' athletics departments compete against each other in the Territorial Cup Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Arizona State Sun Devils football team</span> American college football season

The 2006 Arizona State Sun Devils football team represented Arizona State University in the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's coach was Dirk Koetter who was fired after the season. It played its home games at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona.

Bruce Fletcher Snyder was an American football player and coach. After playing college football at the University of Oregon in the early 1960s as a fullback, Snyder embarked on a coaching career. He was the head football coach at Utah State University (1976–1982), University of California, Berkeley (1987–1991), and Arizona State University (1992–2000), compiling a record of 125–106–6 (.540) at the three schools.

The 2006 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl was a college football bowl game that was a part of the 2006-2007 bowl game schedule of the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. This was the fifth Hawaiʻi Bowl played, and was sponsored by Sheraton Hotels and Resorts. It was played on Christmas Eve 2006, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. The game matched the Hawaiʻi Warriors against the Arizona State Sun Devils, and was televised on ESPN.

Rudy Carpenter is a former professional gridiron football quarterback. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Arizona State.

The 1996 Arizona State Sun Devils football team represented the Arizona State University in the 1996 NCAA Division I-A college football season. The team's head coach was Bruce Snyder, who was coaching his fifth season with the Sun Devils and 17th season overall. Home games were played at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. They participated as members of the Pacific-10 Conference.

The 1975 Arizona State Sun Devils football team represented Arizona State University in the 1975 NCAA Division I football season. The offense scored 347 points, while the defense allowed 127 points. Led by head coach Frank Kush, the Sun Devils were undefeated in the regular season (11–0), perfect in Western Athletic Conference play (7–0), and won the Fiesta Bowl. After beating Nebraska, 17–14, Kush said, "From the players' standpoint, this was probably the most important game since I have been here. Not only was the game important for the recognition this team will receive, but it also helps gain recognition for the great teams and players we have had here in the past." They finished the season (12–0) overall and were ranked # 2 in both the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll. On January 17, 1976 Sporting News Ranked ASU as the #1 team in College Football for the 1975 season. This was the only poll that recognized ASU as the National Champions. This remains the highest ranked finish in Arizona State football history in both the AP and Coaches Poll.

The 1979 Arizona State Sun Devils football team represented Arizona State University in the 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season, and competed as a member of the Pacific-10 Conference (Pac-10). The team was led by head coach Frank Kush through the first five games and by Bob Owens for the final seven games. They finished with a record of six wins and six losses. The offense scored 306 points while the defense allowed 208 points. The team later vacated five victories.

The 1970 Arizona State Sun Devils football team was an American football team that represented Arizona State University in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) during the 1970 NCAA University Division football season. In their 13th season under head coach Frank Kush, the Sun Devils compiled an 11–0 record, won the WAC championship, and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 405 to 151. ASU was picked as the overall #1 team for the 1970 College Football season by Poling System. Poling was a mathematic system used to rank college football teams. It was considered a "National Champion Major Selector" by the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

The 1979 Arizona Wildcats football team represented the University of Arizona in the Pacific-10 Conference (Pac-10) during the 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their third and final season under head coach Tony Mason, the Wildcats compiled a 6–5–1 record, lost to Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl, and outscored their opponents, 244 to 243. The team played its home games on campus at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona.

The 1980 Arizona Wildcats football team represented the University of Arizona in the Pacific-10 Conference (Pac-10) during the 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their first season under head coach Larry Smith, the Wildcats compiled a 5–6 record, finished in a tie for sixth place in the Pac-10, and were outscored by their opponents, 275 to 215. The team played its home games in Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona.

The 1981 Arizona Wildcats football team represented the University of Arizona in the Pacific-10 Conference (Pac-10) during the 1981 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their second season under head coach Larry Smith, the Wildcats compiled a 6–5 record, finished in a tie for sixth place in the Pac-10, and outscored their opponents, 253 to 205. The team played its home games in Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona.

The 1962 Arizona State Sun Devils football team was an American football team that represented Arizona State University in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) during the 1962 NCAA University Division football season. In their fifth season under head coach Frank Kush, the Sun Devils compiled a 7–2–1 record, finished in second place in the WAC, and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 304 to 126.

The 1963 Arizona State Sun Devils football team was an American football team that represented Arizona State University in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) during the 1963 NCAA University Division football season. In their sixth season under head coach Frank Kush, the Sun Devils compiled an 8–1 record, won the WAC championship, and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 249 to 122.

The 1978 Arizona State Sun Devils football team was an American football team that represented Arizona State University in the Pacific-10 Conference (Pac-10) during the 1978 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their 21st season under head coach Frank Kush, the Sun Devils compiled a 9–3 record, finished in a tie for fourth place in the Pac-10, and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 347 to 236.

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