Related articles:

Final: Arizona 34, Oregon 24

Health Care
Sierra Tucson
Eating Disorders Program Coordinator Administrative & Professional
Jorgensen Brooks Group
Counselor Health Care
Dependable Health Services
Physical Therapists Construction
West-Press
Printing Health Care
CENTRAL ARIZONA COLLEGE
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT Mechanical
Komatsu Equipment Co
Resident Field Mechanic Administrative & Professional
Tucson Urban League
CEO/President

• In the second quarter, ASU honored American League Rookie of the Year Dustin Pedroia. The ASU alum received a maroon football jersey with his name and No. 15 on the back.

The voiceover on the scoreboard referred to the Red Sox second baseman as the greatest baseball player in school history. Far be it for us to quibble, but … really? How about Barry Bonds, the embattled slugger who is still statistically the best home run hitter in Major League Baseball history? Or Mr. October, Reggie Jackson? Bob Horner, maybe?

Pedroia is the first ASU grad to win a World Series title since 1989 and the first since Bonds in 2002 to play for a world title.

• UA fans surely know who Dimitri Nance is — but America might not, even after his performance Saturday.

In the first quarter, the ASU running back had his nameplate torn off the back of his jersey, leaving him as anonymous No. 31.

The sophomore Texan led all rushers in the first half with 53 yards on 11 carries.

• Between the rain and the noise, the ASU press box was a dicey place to be Saturday night. Just outside the elevator on the top floor, eight buckets caught drips of rain leaking from the roof. And at the end of the first quarter, a fire alarm bell raged for 10 minutes — though there were no signs of smoke anywhere. The alarm was finally stopped, then started up again on two separate occasions before being quieted.

As for the rain, it let up about an hour before the game, avoiding the first wet rivalry game since 1981.

• Hand it to the Arizona State grounds crew; they're creative.

The Sun Devils' paint-masters have added a new on-field design element with each game this season. Earlier this season, they put horns and a tail to the "50" at the 50-yard line. The crew added interlocking "AS" logos on Both 25s, replaced on-field arrows with pitchforks and, on Thanksgiving night, famously painted a turkey leg at the end of Sparky's pitchfork.

Saturday's on-field design was a bit more subtle, but still genius. The grounds crew painted a maroon, white and gold stripe at the 3-yard line hash mark — where teams line up for two-point conversions. It's the first time we've ever seen it.

• Arizona State fans seem to have Mike Stoops figured out.

After watching the UA coach run 20 yards onto the field on numerous first-half occasions, the Sun Devil Stadium crowd exploded with annoyance at the start of the third quarter. Stoops ran onto the field to question a 30-yard catch by Tyrice Thompson — which was later reviewed by officials but not overturned.

"Off the field! Off the field!" the crowd chanted, before cheering when Stoops made his way to the sideline.

— Patrick and Ryan Finley