Football History

The "best season" for Arizona State Sun Devils Football is a subjective question with no definitive answer. It depends heavily on what criteria you prioritize, such as:
Record: The Sun Devils have achieved several impressive records throughout their history. Their best record by winning percentage is 12-0 in 1975, while their highest win total is 13 in 1971 and 1972.
Conference championships: Arizona State has won 17 conference championships across different conferences, including the Border Conference, Western Athletic Conference, and Pac-12 Conference. Their most recent championship came in 2013 in the Pac-12 South.
Bowl appearances and wins: The Sun Devils have appeared in 24 bowl games, winning 15. Their most recent bowl win came in the 2021 Las Vegas Bowl.
National rankings: Arizona State has been ranked in the final AP Top 25 poll on 14 occasions. Their highest ranking was No. 2 in both 1975 and 1996.

Here are some arguments for different seasons as the Sun Devils' best:

1975:

Undefeated record of 12-0
Won the Western Athletic Conference championship
Ranked No. 2 in the final AP Poll
Defeated Nebraska in the Fiesta Bowl
1996:

Record of 11-1
Won the Pac-10 Conference championship
Ranked No. 2 in the final AP Poll
Lost to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl

For more on the 1996 season check out the linked article

The Lafayette Leopards have a unique and recognizable school nickname. Where would a school in Eastern Pennsylvania garner such a name as Leopard though?

According to the school's website, the name was first used on campus when Lafayette sports editor George Parkman referred to the team as the 'Leopards' on October 7, 1927. Parkman noticed that other competitors were selecting animal nicknames and decided Lafayette should have one. NCAAF Nickname 1

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July 14, 1911 - Carrollton, Mississippi - Riley Smith is enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame as a quarterback out of the University or Alabama. The National Football Foundation claims that this 6-1, 195-pounder could pass, block, punt, kick extra points and boot field goals, yes just about anything on the gridiron. In 1935 he was named to the All-America teams of the Associated Press, Collier's Magazine and the All- America Board. He also won the Jacobs Trophy as the best blocker in the Southeastern Conference. Mr Smith performed exceptionally and his contributions were vital in the 1935 Rose Bowl win over Stanford as he kicked the final points in the 29-13 contest to give Alabama the victory. Riley is known for being the first player to play football in the NFL that was drafted! Though the University of Chicago's Jay Berwanger, was picked one selection before Smith in the NFL's first draft selection process of 1936, Berwanger never played in the NFL. In the late 1930's Mr. Riley served as the QB for the Boston and later Washington Redskins (the teamm moved to the Nation's Capital just before his second season). His pro career started off very promising as during the 1936 and 1937 seasons he missed only three minutes in 26 Redskins games, but an injury prematurely cut short his promising NFL career. He later became the head coach at Washington and Lee University for their football program.

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The history of American football is inextricably linked to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

It was on the hallowed grounds of this New Jersey institution that the first intercollegiate football game was contested on November 6, 1869. A contest against the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), this pioneering matchup laid the foundation for the gridiron spectacle that has captivated millions for over a century.  

While the game bore little resemblance to the modern sport, with rules derived from rugby and soccer, it marked the genesis of a tradition. If we saw it today, it would be called a soccer game with more than double the amount of participants on the field. The Rutgers players, distinguished by scarlet turbans and handkerchiefs, sparked a legacy that would evolve into the iconic Scarlet Knights. The name itself, a nod to the distinctive color adopted by the team, has become synonymous with college football's storied past.  

From those humble beginnings, Rutgers football has traversed a long and often challenging path. The program has weathered the storms of time, experiencing periods of triumph and adversity. Yet, the enduring spirit of the Scarlet Knights has remained constant. As the birthplace of college football, Rutgers carries a unique responsibility to honor its heritage while striving for excellence in the modern era.  

Today, the Scarlet Knights continue to compete on the national stage, their history serving as a constant source of inspiration. While challenges persist, the program's foundation, laid on that historic November day in 1869, remains as solid as ever.

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The 1984 college football season witnessed a moment etched forever in sports lore: the "Hail Flutie" game between the Boston College Eagles and the Miami Hurricanes. This wasn't just a game on November 23, 1984; it was a heart-stopping display of resilience, desperation, and a last-second miracle that defied all odds.

The stage was set in the hostile Orange Bowl, with the defending national champions, Miami, favored to win. Both teams boasted prolific offenses, led by quarterbacks Doug Flutie for Boston College and Bernie Kosar for Miami. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with multiple lead changes and a constant offensive threat.

Late in the fourth quarter, Miami surged ahead with a touchdown, placing them up 45-41. Dejected Boston College fans braced for defeat. But then, the magic happened. With just 28 seconds remaining, the Eagles launched a desperate three-play drive, gaining 32 yards and positioning themselves on Miami's 48-yard line. With six seconds left, Flutie, scrambling under pressure, unleashed a Hail Mary pass towards the end zone.

The play, called "55 Flood Tip," designed for receivers to run straight routes and tip the ball to another teammate, unfolded in a chaotic ballet. Miami defenders converged, while Boston College receivers fought for position. Amidst the chaos, Gerard Phelan, a reserve wide receiver, miraculously emerged with the ball, cradling it just before it hit the ground in the end zone. Pandemonium erupted. Boston College had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a last-second, 48-yard touchdown pass.

The "Hail Flutie" play wasn't just a game-winner; it became a cultural phenomenon. It was a reminder that even in the face of overwhelming odds, a single play can rewrite history. Flutie's name became synonymous with clutch plays and miraculous finishes. The "Hail Flutie" game transcended the realm of sports, becoming a symbol of hope, perseverance, and the power of believing until the very end.

There is so much more to explore, so check out our other stories of Boston College football history.

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Steven Joseph Suhey's football career wasn't a whirlwind of touchdown dances and headline-grabbing stats. Instead, it was a carefully woven tapestry of leadership, versatility, and family legacy, leaving its mark on both Penn State and the fledgling professional game.

Suhey's collegiate years were the golden age. He was an All-American guard, anchoring the offensive line and leading the Nittany Lions to the 1948 Cotton Bowl Classic victory. His leadership extended beyond the field, with some crediting him for igniting the iconic "We Are Penn State!" chant in a defiant stand against racial prejudice. This fierce pride and dedication cemented him as a campus legend.

However, Suhey's story doesn't end in Happy Valley. He blazed a trail into the newly formed NFL, joining the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1948. While his professional career spanned only two seasons, his presence as one of the first Penn State products in the league held significant weight. He paved the way for future Nittany Lions like Franco Harris and John Cappelletti, showing that hard work and grit could bridge the gap from Big Ten excellence to professional success.

But Suhey's impact transcended even the gridiron. He married Virginia "Ginger" Higgins, daughter of his Penn State coach Bob Higgins, further intertwining his life with the Nittany Lion legacy. Three of their sons became Penn State lettermen, and his grandson Kevin even donned the blue and white. This generational commitment earned the Higgins-Suhey family the well-deserved title of "first family of Nittany Lion football," signifying their lasting influence on the program.

Steve Suhey's football career may not have been defined by gaudy numbers or championship rings. Instead, it was a testament to leadership, versatility, and family legacy.

Born May 7, 1930, in Rochester, Pennsylvania, was Babe Parilli the legendary University of Kentucky quarterback. Parilli quarterbacked the Wildcats for Hall of Fame coach Bear Bryant from 1949-51 according to his bio on the footballfoundation.org website.

Babe introduced Bear Bryant's "T" Formation that baffled opponents and spectators alike, magically taking Kentucky into the national spotlight. On the field or in the stands, you simply lost sight of the football once Parilli had it in his magical Houdini hands. Defenders tackled backs not carrying the ball as Parilli miraculously seemed to repossess it and toss it into hands that suddenly appeared from obscurity. In 1949 and 1950, Parilli directed teams that ran up 684 points against 115 opposition points.

The Wildcats held 10 of 22 opponents scoreless, and all but three to 7 points or less. In 1949, Parilli led Kentucky to a 9-3 record, including wins over LSU, Ole Miss, Georgia and Florida. In 1950 during Parilli’s junior year, the Wildcats produced the greatest season in school history, including an 11-1 campaign and Southeastern Conference Championship. Parilli’s senior season resulted in an 8-4 record, culminating his illustrious career with NCAA records at time for career passing touchdowns (50), completions (331) and passing yards (4,351).

Babe Parilli was honored with induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1982 after the National Football Foundation tabulated up their votes. Parilli was selected in the first round as the number 4.overall pick of the 1952 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers, and he played professional football for 18 seasons, including four with the Packers , three with the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League, one with the Cleveland Browns, one with the Oakland Raiders, seven with the Boston Patriots and two with the New York Jets. NCAAF Jersey 10

Born December 1, 1902 - Ordiliia, Washington - Morris “Red” Badgro the legendary USC end arrived on scene of life. Red was known for his sure tackling , solid blocking and great hands at USC and had a couple of options after school was over because according to his bio on the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s website, Red was a 3 sport star for the USC Trojans.  You see Red Badgro was also a talented baseball player as well and he teetered back and forth as to which sport he should play professionally. First stop was in football as he played with Red Grange on the NY Yankees football team. After one season on the gridiron he played a couple years on the diamond with baseball’s  St. Louis Browns. His love for football was too much though as 1930 saw him back in pads playing for the New York Giants. His contributions on offense and defense were significant to some big Giants victories including a key blocked punt against the Boston Redskins in 1935 that he took in for a touchdown. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Red Badgro in 1991.

June 6, 1879 - Jimmy Johnson was the quarterback for the Carlisle Indian Industrial School from 1899 to 1903 as well as Northwestern University's Dental School in 1904 and 1905. At Carlisle he played under the teaching of the legendary head coach Pop Warner and was named All-American by Walter Camp per the FootballFoundation.org. Camp based his selection on a remarkable game he witnessed when Carlisle played Harvard.  After Carlisle he studied dentistry at Northwestern and helped turn the football program there around in his two seasons played. In 1904 he scored a touchdown and helped beat Illinois 12-6 in the last game played at Sheppard Field. In 1905 he helped dedicate a new field, seating 13,000, on Central Street in Evanston, Illinois, as Northwestern beat Beloit 18-2. Johnson scored a touchdown and ran for 200 yards. Mr. Johnson was selected to enter the College Football Hall of Fame in 1969. After school was completed Johnson returned to Carlisle to help coach the players as an assistant in 1906, one season before a kid named Thorpe showed up to play on the gridiron for the Institute.

Born May 1, 1905, in De Ridder, Louisiana, was the Louisiana-Lafayette (1922-25 ) and with Army from 1926 to 1929, halfback Chris “Red” Cagle. The National Football Foundation states in their bio of Red that Chris while at  Southwestern Louisiana chalked up 235 points by scoring touchdowns, kicking extra points and converting field goals. This was a school record that lasted until 1989! He was able to play in college for 8 seasons as he split the balance of his NCAA career with the Army Cadets. Red was an All-America halfback the last three seasons at West Point. His longest runs were 75 yards against Yale, 1928; 70 yards against Ohio Wesleyan and 65 yards against Yale, 1929. In four years at Army he scored 169 points, averaged 6.4 yards per attempt in rushing and 26.4 yards on kickoff returns. Our friend Chris Willis from NFL Films wrote in an article for the Pro Football Journal website that Cagle was on the cover of Time Magazine in 1929 while with Army. He was often seen playing with either his chin strap undone or with no helmet at all. Chris Cagle was honored with induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954 after the National Football Foundation tallied their votes. C. Willis goes on to tell us that Cagle played 5 steady but uneventful seasons in the NFL with the New York Giants. Red Cagle did however own an NFL franchise, the Brooklyn Dodgers, for a couple of seasons with his partner John “Shipwreck” Kelly.