Legends’ Take: Arizona State a contender in Pac-12

The Legends say the Pac-12 better be on the lookout for Arizona State.

The Sun Devils have emerged as a real threat to challenge for a conference title. Former UCLA coach Terry Donahue was on hand to call Arizona State’s 37-30 overtime win over Missouri last Friday night, and now he’s a believer.

“I think Arizona State has an outstanding chance to win the (Pac-12) South,” Donahue said. “Their quarterback (Brock Osweiler) played really well. Now he’s not a Cam Newton, but he has a very strong arm and good athleticism.”

At 6’8”, 240 pounds, Osweiler is an imposing signal-caller. Osweiler was 24-for-32 passing for 353 yards and three touchdowns in the Missouri game. He has the Sun Devils off to a fantastic start.

On Monday’s Legends Poll teleconference, Donahue asked what Arizona State legend Frank Kush was thinking about his former team.

“I wouldn’t favor ASU just yet,” Kush said. “I’m worried about their consistency on offense. But it’s early in the season.”

The Sun Devils may have benefited from an error on the Mizzou sideline late in the game. With the score tied at 30-30 and only 12 seconds left in the game, Mizzou head coach Gary Pinkel sent kicker Grant Ressel out to try a 48-yard game-winning field goal.

As Ressel lined up for the field goal, Pinkel inexplicably called for a time out, essentially icing his own kicker. Ressel eventually missed the kick which forced overtime.

“I said at the time on the air that Pinkel might have a fake called,” Donahue said. “It was a long field goal. I thought that when the play didn’t look right, he called time out. I heard after the game that he was trying to draw ASU offsides.”

(Image courtesy of Flickr, krmcguire)

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