1970 Arizona State Sun Devils football team

{{Infobox college sports team season

| year = 1970

| team = Arizona State Sun Devils

| sport = football

| image =

| image_size =

| conference = Western Athletic Conference

| short_conf = WAC

| CoachRank = 8

| APRank = 6

| record = 11–0

| conf_record = 7–0

| head_coach = Frank Kush

| hc_year = 13th

| off_coach =

| oc_year =

| off_scheme =

| def_coach =

| dc_year =

| def_scheme =

| captain =

| stadium = Sun Devil Stadium

| bowl = Peach Bowl

| champion = WAC champion
Peach Bowl champion
National champion
(Poling System)

| bowl_result = W 48–26 vs. North Carolina

}}

The 1970 Arizona State Sun Devils football team was an American football team that represented Arizona State University in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) during the 1970 NCAA University Division football season. In their 13th season under head coach Frank Kush, the Sun Devils compiled an 11–0 record (7–0 against WAC opponents), won the WAC championship, and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 405 to 151.{{cite web|title=1970 Arizona State Sun Devils Schedule and Results|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=SR/College Football|access-date=October 26, 2016|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/arizona-state/1970-schedule.html}}{{cite web|title=2016 ASU Football Media Guide|publisher=Arizona State University|year=2016|page=122|url=http://www.sundevilguides.com/football/#122/z|access-date=2016-10-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025235122/http://www.sundevilguides.com/football/#122/z|archive-date=2016-10-25|url-status=dead}} ASU was picked as the overall #1 team for the 1970 College Football season by Poling System. Poling was a mathematic system used to rank college football teams. It was considered a "National Champion Major Selector" by the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

The team's statistical leaders included Joe Spagnola with 1,991 passing yards, Bobby Thomas with 900 rushing yards, and J. D. Hill with 908 receiving yards.{{cite web|title=1970 Arizona State Sun Devils Stats|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=SR/College Football|access-date=October 26, 2016|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/arizona-state/1970.html}}

Schedule

{{CFB schedule

| rankyear = 1970

| poll = AP

| timezone = Mountain

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 19

| w/l = w

| rank = 20

| opponent = Colorado State

| site_stadium = Sun Devil Stadium

| site_cityst = Tempe, AZ

| score = 38–9

| attend = 43,504

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-daily-star-arizona-state-swamps/155442817/|work=The Arizona Daily Star|title=Arizona State swamps CSU|date=September 20, 1970|accessdate=September 16, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 26

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| opponent = Kansas State

| site_stadium = Sun Devil Stadium

| site_cityst = Tempe, AZ

| score = 35–13

| attend = 50,255

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-sun-devils-rip-cat/155442932/|work=The Kansas City Star|title=Sun Devils rip 'Cats|date=September 27, 1970|accessdate=September 16, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 3

| w/l = w

| away = y

| rank = 18

| opponent = Wyoming

| site_stadium = War Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Laramie, WY

| score = 52–3

| attend = 17,170

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-spaghetti-oe-sets/155443079/|work=The Courier-Journal|title='Spaghetti Joe' sets table as Ariz. State routs Wyoming 52–3|date=October 4, 1970|accessdate=September 16, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 10

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| rank = 14

| opponent = Washington State

| site_stadium = Sun Devil Stadium

| site_cityst = Tempe, AZ

| score = 37–30

| attend = 46,098

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-cougs-cant-quite-do-it/155443160/|work=The News Tribune|title=Cougs can't quite do it|date=October 11, 1970|accessdate=September 16, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 17

| w/l = w

| away = y

| rank = 12

| opponent = BYU

| site_stadium = Cougar Stadium

| site_cityst = Provo, UT

| score = 27–3

| attend = 18,288

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-idaho-statesman-arizona-state-pummel/155443326/|work=The Idaho Statesman|title=Arizona State pummels hapless BYU club 27–3|date=October 18, 1970|accessdate=September 16, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 24

| w/l = w

| away = y

| rank = 12

| opponent = UTEP

| site_stadium = Sun Bowl

| site_cityst = El Paso, TX

| score = 42–13

| attend = 23,035

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ogden-standard-examiner-sun-devils-r/155443415/|work=The Ogden Standard-Examiner|title=Sun Devils rip Miners|date=October 25, 1970|accessdate=September 16, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 7

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| rank = 12

| opponent = San Jose State

| site_stadium = Sun Devil Stadium

| site_cityst = Tempe, AZ

| score = 46–10

| attend = 40,009

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-streaking-sun-devil/155443534/|work=The Spokesman-Review|title=Streaking Sun Devils rip Sparts|date=November 8, 1970|accessdate=September 16, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 14

| w/l = w

| rank = 11

| opponent = Utah

| site_stadium = Sun Devil Stadium

| site_cityst = Tempe, AZ

| score = 37–14

| attend = 42,000

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-collins-coloradoan-arizona-state-ra/155443645/|work=Fort Collins Coloradoan|title=Arizona State raps Utah, 37–14|date=November 15, 1970|accessdate=September 16, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 21

| w/l = w

| rank = 9

| opponent = New Mexico

| site_stadium = Sun Devil Stadium

| site_cityst = Tempe, AZ

| score = 33–21

| attend = 51,283

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-arizona-beats-unm-ta/155443847/|work=The Sacramento Bee|title=Arizona beats UNM, takes title|date=November 22, 1970|accessdate=September 16, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = December 5

| w/l = w

| away = y

| rank = 9

| opponent = Arizona

| site_stadium = Arizona Stadium

| site_cityst = Tucson, AZ

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 10–6

| attend = 38,500

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-patriot-news-arizona-state-sneaks-pa/155444061/|work=The Patriot-News|title=Arizona State sneaks past tenacious Arizona U., 10–6|date=December 6, 1970|accessdate=September 16, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = December 20

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| neutral = y

| rank = 8

| opponent = North Carolina

| site_stadium = Grant Field

| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA

| gamename = Peach Bowl

| score = 48–26

| attend = 52,126

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-daily-star-arizona-state-blister/139359174/|work=The Arizona Daily Star|title=Arizona State blisters Tar Heels, 48–26|date=December 31, 1970|accessdate=January 22, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

{{cite web |author= |title=1970 NCAA Football Statistics (Arizona State) |url=https://stats.ncaa.org/teams/296376 |publisher=National Collegiate Athletic Association |accessdate=September 16, 2024 }}

Game summaries

=Arizona=

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Arizona St

|V1= 0|V2= 0|V3=7 |V4=3

|Host=Arizona

|H1= 0|H2= 0|H3= 0|H4=6

|Date=December 5

|Location=Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Arizona

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather=

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=

}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry=yes |Quarter=Q3 |Time= |Team=ASU |Event=Hill 7 yard pass from Spagnola (Ekstrand kick) |Score= ASU 7–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=Q4 |Time= |Team=ARIZ |Event=McKee 20 yard pass from Demery (kick failed) |Score= ASU 7–6}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=Q4 |Time= |Team=ASU |Event=Ekstrand 20 yard field goal |Score= ASU 10–6|LastEntry=yes}}

Eugene-Register Guard. 1970 Dec 6.

Roster

{{American football roster/Header

| year = 1970

| team = Arizona State Sun Devils

| teamcolors = f

| offensive_players=

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=Sr|first=Dave|last=Buchanan|dab=Dave Buchanan (Canadian football)|pos=RB|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=67|class=Sr|first=Ken|last=Coyle|pos=G}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=76|class=Jr|first=Roger|last=Davis|pos=T}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=30|class=Jr|first=Calvin|last=Demery|pos=TE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=40|class=Jr|first=Oscar|last=Dragon|pos=FB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=79|class=Jr|first=Ed|last=Fisher|pos=T}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=20|class=Sr|first=J. D.|last=Hill|pos=WR|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=25|class=So|first=Steve|last=Holden|pos=WR}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=10|class=Jr|first=Grady|last=Hurst|pos=QB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=51|class=So|first=Ron|last=Lou|pos=C}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=43|class=So|first=Brent|last=McClanahan|pos=FB|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=68|class=Sr|first=Dave|last=Pentz|pos=G}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=88|class=So|first=Joe|last=Petty|pos=TE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=So|first=Gary|last=Shaw|pos=C}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=72|class=Sr|first=Ed|last=Smith|pos=G}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=So|first=Rich|last=Smith|pos=G}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=11|class=Sr|first=Joe|last=Spagnola|pos=QB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=23|class=Sr|first=Bob|last=Thomas|dab=Bob Thomas (running back)|pos=RB|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=63|class=Jr|first=Mike|last=Tomco|pos=T}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=61|class=Sr|first=Gary|last=Venturo|pos=G}}

| defensive_players=

{{American football roster/Player|num=82|class=Jr|first=Junior|last=Ah You|pos=DE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=34|class=Sr|first=Mike|last=Artozqui|pos=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=78|class=Sr|first=Dwight|last=Cahill|pos=DT}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=21|class=Jr|first=Mike|last=Clupper|pos=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=86|class=Sr|first=Joe|last=Connolly|pos=DE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=53|class=Sr|first=Bob|last=Davenport|pos=DT}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=84|class=Sr|first=Mike|last=Fanucci|pos=DE|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=Sr|first=Nick|last=Ferrara|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=71|class=Jr|first=Rich|last=Gray|pos=DT}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=So|first=Steve|last=Hale|pos=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=31|class=Jr|first=Windlan|last=Hall|pos=DB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=64|class=Jr|first=Tim|last=Hoban|pos=DT}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=Sr|first=Mike|last=Kwiatowski|pos=DB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=35|class=So|first=Ron|last=Lumpkin|pos=DB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=36|class=So|first=Prentice|last=McCray|pos=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=50|class=Sr|first=Mike|last=Mess|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=62|class=Sr|first=Ted|last=Olivo|pos=DT}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=54|class=Sr|first=Prentice|last=Williams|pos=LB}}

| special_teams_players=

{{American football roster/Player|num=13|class=Sr|first=Don|last=Ekstrand|pos=K}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=15|class=Sr|first=Jim|last=McCann|pos=P}}

}}

{{American football roster/Footer

| head_coach = *Frank Kush

| asst_coach =

| accessdate=

}}

1970 team players in the NFL

The following players were claimed in the 1971 NFL draft.

class="wikitable" width="80%"
align="center" style="background:#82022c;color:#FFFFFF;" \| Player	Position	Round	Pick	NFL club
align="center" bgcolor="" \| J. D. Hill	Wide receiver	1	4	Buffalo Bills
align="center" bgcolor="" \| Jim McCann	Kicker	8	205	San Francisco 49ers
align="center" bgcolor="" \| Mike Fanucci	Defensive end	9	219	Washington Redskins
align="center" bgcolor="" \| Bob Thomas	End	15	379	Cincinnati Bengals
align="center" bgcolor=""

{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1971/draft.htm?redir |title=1971 NFL Draft |publisher=Pro-Football-Reference.com |access-date=November 17, 2013}}

References

Arizona State

Category:Arizona State Sun Devils football seasons

Category:Western Athletic Conference football champion seasons

Category:Peach Bowl champion seasons

Category:College football undefeated seasons

Arizona State Sun Devils football