TEMPE — It didn’t take Todd Graham long to learn the importance of the Arizona-Arizona State football rivalry.
Just a little study.
“When I first came here, one of the things that was important was really researching and knowing the history of the program,” the second-year Sun Devils head coach said. “I talked with former players, one of the first groups I talked to, and in meeting boosters, alumni, fans — no question about it, the most important thing to our fan base was winning this game.”
Monday, Graham walked into the team’s weekly news conference and a group of students in the back stood up and clapped, celebrating last weekend’s 38-33 win over UCLA that clinched the Pac-12 South title for the No. 13 Sun Devils (9-2, 7-1 Pac-12).
Lose on Saturday against the Wildcats (7-4, 4-4) and the room won’t be so jovial next week.
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“One of things that took me back as I talked to people (was that) they talked about discipline, how they wanted to be represented, but clearly what everyone talked about is this game,” Graham said. “This is the game.”
A self-proclaimed college football fan and college football historian, Graham said that being involved in one of the oldest rivalries in the sport is “pretty special.”
During a coaching career that spans more than 20 years, he’s seen some good ones. Hired by Rich Rodriguez to coach linebackers for West Virginia in 2001, Graham got a first-hand look at the “Backyard Brawl” between the Mountaineers and Pittsburgh, which dates back to 1895. He got a look at the other end 10 years later, when he was hired by the Panthers in 2011 as head coach before leaving for the Sun Devils the next year.
Graham lauded the Territorial Cup for its heritage and history, as some funky endings the last few years have added to the lore of the rivalry. But just because Graham has studied the idiosyncrasies — the road team has won the last four games in the duel, and the team with the worse record has won the last three — doesn’t mean he thinks they’ll have an impact on Saturday’s matchup.
“I don’t worry about all that stuff,” Graham said. “Every week there’s something like that. I don’t think last year has anything to do with this year. People have a whole bunch of time on their hands to spend analyzing stuff.”
Graham calls Carey nation’s best back
Graham didn’t mince words lauding Arizona junior running back and the school’s new leading rusher Ka’Deem Carey, who piled up 172 yards and a touchdown against the Sun Devils last season.
“Of all the backs we’ve faced and seen on film, he’s the best back in the country, no doubt about it,” Graham said. “Probably the best back in the country last year, too. Just a tremendous downhill runner. A guy with tremendous balance, strength, finishing runs. He’s the key to stopping them.”
Devils’ special teams a concern for coach
Offense, check.
Defense, check.
Special teams, now that’s where Graham starts to get a bit frustrated with his Sun Devils.
Arizona State ranks near the top of the conference in several offensive and defensive categories but last in punting, as evidenced by UCLA first-time punt returner Ismael Adams’ Pac-12 special teams player of the week award. It’s an alarming trend for Graham, who has tried to correct the issue, to little avail.
“Three weeks ago, we put on the board that we felt like we were playing at an extremely high level offensively, extremely high level defensively. Now we have to make special teams a priority,” Graham said. “Last week, it put us in jeopardy. It’s the most important thing.”
Running back Grice remains day to day
Graham had little to say but wait-and-see on star running back Marion Grice, who suffered a lower leg injury in the fourth quarter of the win at UCLA. After limping off the field and reportedly requiring crutches to exit the locker room, Grice remains day to day.
Coach tries to hype fans with donuts
The Arizona State coaching staff has resorted to a little sugary bribery to reel in the student body to Saturday’s game.
“We had some kids standing in line for tickets, (so) coach (Tim) Cassidy went out and got some donuts,” Graham said. “We talked to them about their game preparation to get that place rocking.”
