Arizona State Sun Devils Football Tickets

In Dirk Koetter's first three seasons the Sun Devils were just 17-20. In 2004 I called them one of the most improved teams in the country. They rose as high as 8-2 with their only two losses to #1 ranked USC and #7 Cal (lost by 72-7 margin). They were stunned by Arizona in the season finale but a late TD got them past Purdue in the Sun Bowl for an outstanding 9-3 finish which included a 44-7 win over a Top 20 Iowa team. Last year they only had to replace 11 lettermen, the fewest in the Pac 10. They hosted LSU in a game that was moved due to the hurricane and nearly pulled off the win with a 560-434 yd edge but lost 35-31. They were 3-1 and Koetter was the darling of Tempe when they hosted USC and appeared on their way to the upset. They led 24-3 at the half and 28-24 with 5:57 left but came up short. The next week vs Oregon, QB Keller injured his thumb and the Sun Devils would drop their next two games including a stunning loss to Stanford (ASU 528-369 yard edge). After two wins they lost at UCLA giving up 660 yards offense and appeared headed for a losing season. They trailed Arizona 20-5 but benefitted from the Cats losing their starting QB, top RB and top WR to injury and rallied for the win on a FG with :03 left. ASU also rallied in the bowl as Koetter said they were lucky to be down by just one TD at the half. ASU benefitted from +7 turnovers and were +2 in the close games. On offense, they lose 3rd Tm AA WR Derek Hagan but have 8 starters back and are extremely deep at QB and could even top last year's 36.8 ppg. Normally when a team only returns 4 starters on defense, you would expect the unit to be weaker but ASU has a solidly fortified defensive front and the secondary is just as experienced as the 2005 version. After allowing 29.9 ppg the D should actually be stronger.

Arizona State Sun Devils Football 2006 Schedule