This article ran in the Nov. 25, 1996 issue of the State Press
TUCSON - Finally, ASU's defense didn't turn a UofA
quarterback into superman overnight.
Former Wildcat quarterback, and former Devil spoiler, Dan
White ended his career against ASU 3-0 with 289 yards passing
and three touchdowns in UofA's 31-28 victory over ASU last
season.
UofA's new starter Keith Smith was only a mere mortal
against a spirited ASU defense, which limited UofA to one
offensive touchdown in a 56-14 win.
There was no magic Saturday, just a bruised and battered
Smith, who was playing in the "big game" for the first time. Smith,
a redshirt freshman, watched last year's game on the sideline.
Smith, who entered the game red hot after leading the Pac-
10 in passing completion percentage (62 percent), was sacked
seven times by ASU's defense. The Sun Devil defense finished last
in the Pac-10 last year, but finished No. 1 this season.
"No one's playing better in this conference than us and no
one is coaching better than our defensive coaches," said ASU head
coach Bruce Snyder of the improved defense on Saturday.
Smith, who came into the game with 544 yards rushing,
was limited to two yards on 16 carries. Smith scored UofA's only
offensive touchdown on a one-yard plunge into the end zone in the
second quarter.
"He's really fast, but we put a few good hits on him early in
the game," said ASU senior linebacker Derek Smith, who finished
with three sacks for a loss of 20 yards. "We kept coming after him.
He's a young guy, inexperienced. I don't think he really knew what
this game was. He got a little bit baffled and frustrated. I think he
kind of cracked."
To limit Smith's effectiveness, ASU placed a spy on Smith
every single play to limit his scrambling out of the pocket.
"We had to make sure we had to cover the pass, but
somebody had to keep their eye on him the whole damn game,"
junior linebacker Pat Tillman said.
Eventually Smith was pulled in favor of backup
quarterback Brady Batten in the fourth quarter. Smith finished with
six completions on 15 attempts for 91 yards and one interception.
The rookie acknowledged to be a little awestruck with the
surroundings.
"I figured it was going to be intense, but it was crazy out
there," Smith said. "I mean it was just loud ... and everything. It
was like another world we were playing the game in. I can't wait to
play them next year.
