3 ASU Football Things: Turnovers, Rudy Carpenter and Bowl Dreaming
Three straight wins and Arizona State is still alive for a bowl berth. Here are three things we think we think after the Sun Devils’ 34-9 victory over UCLA last night.
1. The Best Offense is a Good Defense
The Sun Devils became only the second team in NCAA Division I-A history to return four turnovers for touchdowns. Paul Unga and Troy Nolan had senior nights to remember with a 100-yard interception return and a play ‘til the whistle 17-yard fumble return, respectively. Linebackers Mike Nixon and Travis Goethel each chipped in a pick six. This for a Sun Devil team that forced just four turnovers in its first five games.
2. Ain’t No Cure for the Senior Night Boos
Rudy Carpenter was first out of the Tillman Tunnel on senior night and his reception was surprisingly warm considering fans’ mixed feelings to him. (Just vote in the survey on the right to see what we mean.) Carpenter responded to the reception by turning in perhaps his worst performance of the season. Carpenter completed 13-of-26 passes for a measly 101 yards and an interception, while the offense as a whole managed just 122 yards against an admittedly stout UCLA defense.
3. One More Win and We’re Going Bowling
Last night’s contest was a bowl elimination game and ASU survived. Only one thing now stands between ASU and a spot in the Las Vegas Bowl or Emerald Bowl. (2008-09 College Football Bowl Schedule) A win over Arizona would place the Sun Devils in the upper half of the Pac-10 standing and net ASU a fifth consecutive bowl berth for the first time in school history. Hey, that seems worth playing for to us.
What’s Your Take, Sun Devils?
What’d you take away from the game last night? Let us know in the comments below. And remember to vote for your favorite senior on the right side of the page!
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U.G.L.Y. If the offense can’t get it together next weekend, the defense is going to have to play even better than they have the past few games.
It’s sad that some fans have let Rudy’s mouth and emotion overshadow his performance on the field over the past 4 years. You can’t blame him for the injuries to the wide outs or Herring. He’s had a great career–look at his numbers and the 3 wins (so far) against UA. He should have been given the kind of love that Rudy Burgess got last season.
Rudy Carpenter has regressed quite a bit since his freshman year. He runs his mouth way too much, he makes stupid decisions, and he is out of shape. Look at his face when he takes off his hat – he looks like the Pillsbury Doughboy. He is all puffy and bloated.
Rudy Carpenter is to ASU football what Brett Wallace is to ASU baseball. Both put up gaudy numbers but neither of them have ever done anything important. Rudy disappears in big games (except the UA) and so did Wallace.
David I have to disagree. To say Rudy is like Brett Wallace is a joke. Rudy never put up the kind of numbers that Wallace did. Not even close. Yes, Wallace joked in the CWS in 07, but winning back-to-back Pac-10 Triple Crowns and cherry picking some bad college football teams are not one and the same.
Don’t know how we’re going to beat the UofA with the offense we run out there game after game.
Four touchdowns by the defense is what it took to win, and while a win is a win I can guarantee the defense won’t get four touchdowns against UofA next week.
Somebody somewhere has to step up and make plays.
My strategy for the UofA, run Keegan Herring 35 times as a going away present and let Rudy Carpenter throw it 20 times and hopefully something happens out of that type of play calling.
Go Devils
I still think there is something wrong with Rudy physically. Either his thumb never healed or he put on weight and is out of shape or something else.
His passes lack velocity and he underthrows the longer passes. Maybe he just needs glasses.
Due to Rudy’s decline in performance I think we’re seeing the conservative play calling from the offensive coordinator. I just don’t think Rudy can pull off the plays that they want him to.
Nonetheless, strange things happen during rival games and I truly believe ASU being underdogs plays to our advantage. I hope Rudy steps up and beats them for a 4th time.
Can anyone honestly believe that Rudy struggles at quarterback because he is in bad shape? Look at the pounding he has taken over the last few years. That would have been enough to end the career anyone who was not in top physical condition a long time ago. It is amazing the Rudy is able to compete game after game given the punishment he has endured playing behind a sub-par offensive line.