Arizona State played in its first New Year's Six bowl game since 1997 on Wednesday. The Sun Devils came just short of a historic win in Atlanta, Georgia, falling 39-31 in double-overtime against mighty Texas.
In the final 90 seconds of regulation, ASU appeared to have a huge opportunity to capitalize on multiple mistakes by the Longhorns. A missed field goal gave the Devils possession of the ball but then what appeared to be a clear targeting call was reviewed and not called, seemingly robbing them of a chance at a walk-off field goal attempt.
My phone has been burning up all morning.
— Gene Steratore (@GeneSteratore) January 2, 2025
Yes, this should have been a flag for targeting in #TEXvsASU. It meets all of the criteria of targeting (Rule 9-1-4). pic.twitter.com/tv5HPIQgd0
Ultimately, ASU would still have its chance to win the game after Texas missed its own walk-off field goal attempt, getting the Longhorns to a fourth-and-long up 31-24 in overtime only to get burned in coverage for the tying score. The Devils then lost 39-31 in the next period on an interception by quarterback Sam Leavitt.
Missed targeting reminds ASU fans of game-altering pass interference calls in 1997 Rose Bowl loss
Unfortunately, the full circle moment with the 1996-97 season wouldn't end with an exorcising of demons. Instead, they came back to haunt ASU and reminded fans of the team's ill-fated Rose Bowl experience that cost it a probable national championship.
1/1/97 - With 1:33 left, Jake Plummer scrambled (19-35-201) for an 11yd TD and a #2 ASU 17-14 lead. However, two PI calls on #4 Ohio State's ensuing drive helped lead to a 5yd TD catch by WR David Boston (4-20) and a (kick blocked) made it 20-17 OU with 19sec left. #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/91XQPJKla8
— Arizona Sports History (@AZSportsHistory) January 1, 2025
With 93 seconds remaining in the game, No. 2 ASU led No. 4 Ohio State 17-14 needing a single defensive stop to win its second-ever Rose Bowl (1987) and likely convince poll voters to crown the Devils as the No. 1 team in the country.
However, the defense made crucial mistakes in two pass interference calls (questionable depending on who you ask) on the Buckeyes' eventual game-winning touchdown drive.
The parallels are eerie and tough to stomach (both occurred on the same day, no less) but there's still a lot for this 2024-25 team to be proud of, just as that 1996-97 squad earned its laurels.
The 1997 Rose Bowl was arguably the peak of ASU football (though the case could be made for the 1970 and 1975 seasons too) but now, in this new era of the college game, Wednesday's Peach Bowl appearance has seemingly taken its place - indicating it's just the beginning of a potential meteoric rise for the program.