Arizona State Sun Devils football

Arizona State Sun Devils football
2016 Arizona State Sun Devils football team
First season	1897 (1897)
Head coach	Todd Graham 5th year, 39–26 (.600)
Stadium	Sun Devil Stadium
Seating capacity	65,870
Field surface	Grass
Location	Tempe, Arizona
NCAA division	Division I FBS
Conference	Pac-12 (1978–present)
Division	South (2011–present)
Past conferences	Independent (1897–1930) Border (1931–1961) WAC (1962–1977)
All-time record	595–374–24 (.611)
Bowl record	14–13–1 (.518)
Unclaimed nat'l titles	2 (1970, 1975)
Conference titles	17
Division titles	1
Consensus All-Americans	17
Current uniform
Colors	Maroon and Gold[1]
Fight song	"Maroon & Gold"
Mascot	Sparky
Marching band	Arizona State University Sun Devil Marching Band
Rivals	Arizona Wildcats
Website	TheSunDevils.com

The Arizona State Sun Devils football team represents Arizona State University in the sport of American football. The Sun Devils team competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the South Division of the Pac-12 Conference (Pac-12). Arizona State University has fielded a football team since 1897 and has an all-time record of 589-369-24 (a .612 winning percentage). The Sun Devils play at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, which has a capacity of 65,870. The Sun Devils have won seventeen conference titles.

A number of successful and professional football players once played for ASU. The school has 2 unanimous All-Americans and 16 consensus selections and 13 alumni currently playing in the NFL. Among the most lauded and notable players the school has produced are Pat Tillman, Terrell Suggs, Mike Haynes, Darren Woodson, Charley Taylor, and John Henry Johnson. In addition to its players, ASU's football program has been noted for its coaches, most notably Frank Kush, for whom Frank Kush Field at Sun Devil Stadium is named. Kush also led the Sun Devils on their longest winning streak against the University of Arizona, ASU's traditional rival.

History

The Sun Devils had great success in the 1960s and 1970s under head coach Frank Kush. In that 22-year stretch, they compiled a 176–54–1 record, putting Arizona State on the college football map. From 1969 to 1971, the team put together a school-record 21-game winning streak. The 1986 team won the Pac-10 Championship and went on to defeat the Michigan Wolverines in the 1987 Rose Bowl. The 1996 team carried an undefeated season into the 1997 Rose Bowl, but suffered a narrow last-minute defeat to Ohio State which removed them from National Championship consideration.

Head coaches

Home Stadium

The Sun Devils play their home games at Frank Kush Field at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. Sun Devil stadium was constructed in 1958 and originally held a capacity of 30,000.^[2]

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.^[2]

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

• 1897–1926 Normal Field
• 1927–1935 Irish Field
• 1936–1957 Goodwin Stadium

Culture

• Colors – Arizona State's traditional colors are maroon and gold.
• Songs - The fight songs for Arizona State are "Maroon and Gold" and "Go Go Devils". After a touchdown "Maroon and Gold" is played. After a field goal "Go Go Devils" is played. For big plays, a shortened version of either song is played.
• Mascot – Arizona State's mascot is "Sparky the Sun Devil". Sparky was adopted as ASU's mascot in 1946 following a vote was held to replace the Bulldog, the mascot at the time.
• Devil Walk - Prior to each home game, fans and the Sun Devil Marching Band welcomes the team inside Wells Fargo Arena (Tempe) as they head to the football stadium. At the conclusion of the event, the marching band performs a short concert.
• Marching Band - Main article: Arizona State University Sun Devil Marching Band

Arizona State fields a 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 half time shows and stand tunes, the Sun Devil Marching Band always play the Arizona State fight songs and the Alma Mater.

Rivalry

Arizona State's main rival is the University of Arizona.

ASU has had its longest and most intense rivalry with Arizona. The football rivalry game between the schools is known as "The Duel in the Desert" and is played for the Territorial Cup. Arizona State won the first matchup in 1899, 11-2. The Arizona Wildcats have the all-time series lead with a record of 49-40-1. This record dates back to 1899, before Arizona State was recognized as a university; however, ASU was a member of the Border Conference from 1931–1961 along with the University of Arizona. ASU was not considered a "major school" until 1931. Since that year the series is tied at 38-38-1.^[3]

Since becoming a university in 1958,^[4] 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, the University of Arizona leads the series 19-16-1. ASU has recently enjoyed more success in the series, winning six out of the past ten meetings. 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 loss to Arizona on November 19, 2011, 31-27 in Tempe. The Sun Devils finished the 2012 season with a win over the #24 ranked Arizona Wildcats in Tucson; ending the game with a score of 41-34. In 2013, the #13 ranked Sun Devils beat the Wildcats 58-21 in Tempe. In 2014, the Wildcats hosted the cup and beat the Sun Devils 42-35, and claimed the Pac-12 South Championship.

Championships

National championships

Conference championships

[*] denotes conference co-champions

Records

Arizona State at the Rose Bowl

All-time bowl record

Arizona State has played in 29 bowls in its history with a combined record of 14–14–1.

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.

Camp Tontozona

An Arizona State University property, is a 36-acre (150,000 m²) camp just outside Payson, Arizona 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 1960–2008. 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.^[5] After a 4-year absence the Sun Devils returned to Camp Tontozona starting in Aug 2012.^[6] The team was able to make the return after a short fund raising effort by fans and alumni brought in over $160,000.^[7]

Verde Dickey Dome

Formerly opened as Devil Dome and nicknamed,"The Bubble", $8.4 million practice facility broke ground on May 15, 2008^[8] 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.^[9] 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 Sun Devil Stadium, Weatherup Basketball Center, The Athletes Performance Center, John Spini Gymnastics Center, and wrestling practice facility.^[10]

Unanimous All-Americans

• 2002 – Terrell Suggs, Defensive end
• 1978 – Al Harris, Defensive end

Consensus All-Americans

• 2012 – Will Sutton, Defensive tackle
• 2007 – Thomas Weber, Kicker
• 2006 – Zach Miller, Tight end
• 1996 – Juan Roque, Offensive tackle
• 1987 – Randall McDaniel, Guard
• 1986 – Danny Villa, Tackle
• 1985 – David Fulcher, Safety
• 1984 – David Fulcher, Safety
• 1983 – Luis Zendejas, Kicker
• 1982 – Mike Richardson, Safety
• 1981 – Mike Richardson, Safety
• 1977 – John Jefferson, Wide receiver
• 1975 – Mike Haynes, Cornerback
• 1973 – Woody Green, Running back
• 1972 – Woody Green, Running back
• 1968 – Ron Pritchard, Linebacker

All-Americans

Retired jerseys

Other names to be placed on the facade of the Sun Devil Stadium Press Box includes John Jefferson, Ron Pritchard, and Randall McDaniel. Jefferson, Pritchard and McDaniel were honored when they were selected to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Indiana.

Current Professional Football players/coaches/commentators

Other notable players

Future non-conference opponents

Announced schedules as of July 24, 2015^[11]

See also

• List of Border Intercollegiate Athletic Association football champions

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Arizona State Sun Devils football.

• Official website