ASU beat the Fighting Illini 45-14.
Are you impressed yet? ASU is now 2-0, with each win coming by a significantly comfortable margin. Although the argument can be made that our opponents weren’t in prime fighting condition (specifically Illini starting QB Nathan Sheelhaase, who did not play in Saturday’s game), what people are seeing on the field gives merit to optimism.
So here’s the rundown:
The tailgate: Tempe weather was feeling capricious on Saturday, with cloudy skies and a breeze that stymied certain tailgating activities (specifically those that included red cups or ping pong balls), but the tailgate lots were full of Sun Devil fans who were enjoying temperatures that weren’t in the 100s. There were a few scattered pockets of Illinois fans (as there is a strong Midwestern contingent in the greater Phoenix area) but they kept relatively quiet. There were no notable ‘Maroon Monsoon’ tailgate fashions, aside from the usual t-shirt dresses (some cute, some horrid)and a pair of maroon and gold striped overalls.
The game: the two quarterback system still proved effective, and the changes in personnel kept things interesting. The offense was dynamic, and the Sun Devils played a clean game (one penalty for a 5-yard loss, committed to give punter Josh Hubner more room to work). The Illinois defense was scattered, leaving room for the Devils to connect on pass after pass to the receiving corps (notably Chris Coyle, Jamal Miles, D.J. Foster, and Cameron Marshall). A more detailed summary of game play can be found here, or here[8].
The stadium experience: Reported attendance was 54, 128, but I’m ashamed to say there was a noticeable emptiness to the stadium, especially after the third quarter when people (correctly) assumed Illinois wouldn’t be able to stage a comeback. The “arrive early, stay late” mentality so desired by Sun Devil Athletics has yet to be adopted by the majority of the fan base but, while they were there, the fans kept it loud. One downside of Sun Devil Stadium worth mentioning: cell phone service can be spotty. Tweeting in the lower bowl is almost impossible depending on location, but the outer concourses are usually within a service area.
2-0 is a good place to be for this Sun Devil team but, as with any week during football season, it’s not over yet. The first road game happens Saturday, when ASU faces off against Missouri. It’s yet another opportunity for the Devils to show that they’re grabbing attention for the only reason that matters: success.
