Friday Afternoon Lights

That afternoon Coach, Mike, Denise, and I, accompanied by Dale (friend/business partner of Bobbins' father) headed to Tempe for the ASU-UCLA game.  It was senior day for the Devils, and the only notable future Devil graduate was kicker Thomas Weber (who's had a terrible year).  Dale played for ASU in the early 1960s, under legendary coach Frank Kush, and had many stories of his college career to share.  Because of his access and knowledge of the team, he also has unique insights into what's happening on and off the field.  It's a down year for both teams, particularly UCLA.  Tempe-bred Rick Neuheisel has not done well coaching the Bruins.

The Devils came out sluggish and made several bad mistakes, giving UCLA a 17-0 lead in the first quarter.  ASU QB Steven Threet suffered his second concussion of the season toward the end of the quarter.  Second stringer Brock Osweiler quite ably stepped in, providing a much-needed spark, leading the team downfield and throwing 3 TD passes to go into halftime up 21-20.  UCLA kept it a little close after that, but a 99 yard Devil run-back after a UCLA touchdown put the game out of reach.  Osweiler was impressive, throwing 5 TD passes and rushing for one.  Vontaze Burfict was flagged for another 15 yard penalty, probably unfairly.  The officiating, on both sides, disappointed again.  It seems like the ref's have to be involved in every play.  I come to watch the players make plays, not the ref's intervene at every step.  At any rate, it was a nice way to end the season at home and send the seniors out.  To top it off, UofA got annihilated by Oregon Friday night.  I hope they lose their 4th straight this Thursday in the Territorial Cup.  Go Devils!

Dale makes his way up to our row and surveys the field pre-game.