In this three-part series, A Blogger, Idiot takes you on the road and behind enemy lines as he follows the Washington Huskies football team on its ongoing quest to return to prominence.
PART 2: 10/17/09 - Washington at Arizona State
Three weeks and two heart-stopping finishes after my last outing, the Huskies stood at 3-3 on the year, and if nothing else had proven that they would compete in every game and keep it interesting right to the end. This was a curious reversal from the habits of last year's team, but obviously I and every other UW fan would take it.
This weekend, the season continued with a game in Tempe, Arizona, the home of the Arizona State Sun Devils. The road to Tempe promised to be long, hot, and full of danger. Luckily, this correspondent is no stranger to any of those traits.
Friday, October 16
3:30 AM - Some people around town are barely finishing their Thursday night antics, but I'm rolling out of bed and gathering my pre-packed bags so I can get on the road. I have detailed a careful plan for the trip, and several key obstacles - missing Los Angeles rush hour and arriving in Arizona with some sunlight left - mandate that I leave town at this unusual time.
My usual sidekick, Brian, is many miles away this time, so Wilson and I will make the trip by ourselves. The goal for the first day: get halfway through Arizona, and then set up a tent under the desert stars.
1:00 PM - I've reached Blythe, CA, a checkpoint barely this side of the state line. Moments later, I've crossed into Arizona. Cacti sightings follow soon after.
4:00 PM - My stopping point for the night is Alamo Lake State Park, a place whose namesake feature is a beautiful (though man-made) body of water popular with local bass fishermen. Wilson and I get the tent set up and prepare to hunker down for the night. From a location as desolate as this, 30 miles from the lights of any town, one can actually perceive the depth of the night sky. Constellations dangle seemingly closer than normal, and gases from far-off galaxies streak colorfully in between (as avid readers know, A Blogger, Idiot is a skilled astronomer, and I proved my mettle on this night, taking only 10 minutes or so to locate the Big Dipper).
9:00 PM - Dinner digested and campfire extinguished, it's time to retire for the night.
Saturday, October 17
6:30 AM - For several hours now, pickup trucks hauling fishing boats have been motoring by. At some point, the option to keep sleeping no longer exists. A modest breakfast and walk around the hills occur before the sun gets too high above the horizon. When the day's heat finally sets in, though, it does so quickly, and gives me good reason to pack everything up, get in my air-conditioned car, and wave goodbye to the campground.
3:00 PM - The approach to the Tempe/Phoenix metro area is deliberately slow, as I stop in several small towns before committing to the final stretch. The procession into Tempe takes me - quite unexpectedly - across a lake. In general I'm not a big believer in fighting the forces of nature (viz. Dubai), but I must admit that the presentation is striking.
Shortly after finding parking, I am waved into a friendly pre-game tailgate. I spend the next three hours with these new friends, occasionally also mingling with the nearby ASU'ers, who are antagonistic but fairly docile.
7:00 PM - Kickoff is approaching. Considering that temperatures, by my observation, reached about 107 in the afternoon, tonight is downright chilly - 96 at the time of starting lineups.
Sun Devil Stadium is the sixth Pac-10 stadium I've visited, and my third favorite (Autzen Stadium in Eugene is second, despite the very disagreeable team that plays there). It is situated somewhat awkwardly between two very large heaps of clayey soil, but its size creates a formidable presence, and the interior arrangement seems to work quite well. It's tough to fill for a college venue in a mid-sized market, though, so the Husky fans in attendance will not be completely drowned out.
First quarter - A perfectly designed play-action pass play goes for big yards and a UW touchdown, giving the Dawgs an early 7-0 lead. ASU comes right back, however, the crucial play being a third-and-ten conversion, to tie the game. The Sun Devils, favored in this one mostly because of their attacking defense, stifle the Huskies' next several drives.
Second quarter - ASU scores on a trick play - the rarely seen end-around throw - and takes a 14-7 lead. Then, things get ugly. Both teams turn the ball over inside each other's five yard line. The referees get whistle-happy. A bizarre series of timekeeping snafus interrupts the tempo of what seemed to be a promising UW drive. Then, the Huskies miss a field goal at the end of the half.
Third quarter - UW's offense continues to struggle against the Sun Devil defense. ASU manages to tack on a field goal. Despite the growing sense of apprehension in the visitors' section, I have a feeling we are still in this game.
Sure enough, running back Chris Polk validates that thought when he breaks a 23-yard touchdown run that pulls the Huskies to within 3 to close the quarter.
Fourth quarter - UW's defense adds to the purple momentum by immediately forcing a punt. It's not a good-looking punt, and as it spins through the air it looks as if the Huskies will gain possession with excellent field position.
But the ball bounces off our returner's chest, and is recovered by ASU. To me, this is the crucial play of the game. UW regains possession several minutes later, and drives down to kick a field goal and tie the score. Then, with the ball back and a chance to win the game, the Huskies, can't get anything going and have to give the ball back to ASU with little time remaining. ASU capitalizes with a long touchdown pass that wins the game. The pass play may have been a defensive breakdown, but in truth, too many mistakes were made up to that point for the boys in purple to expect to be in a position to win at the end. The fact that they still were is news that the team is headed in the right direction...but a close loss on the road, while stinging, is going to happen in the re-building process.
Sunday, October 18
Hello again, Blythe. After the game ended, rather than desperately hang out with college kids in Tempe, I elected to drive the 2:30:00 to get back into CA, and then caught three hours of sleep or so. The slog back to San Francisco will occupy most of Sunday. Quick, closing thoughts on Phoenix/Tempe, though: Very nice town, bearable traffic, good public transportation, seems to be a good hub for young professionals. If only it weren't so hot and barren. Once again, though, the tactic of using college football as a lens through which to see new, interesting places has proven worthwhile.
In early November, I'll be in Los Angeles to see the Huskies play UCLA. After the ASU game, UW's bowl hopes took a serious hit. Chances are the game against the Bruins will be pivotal to keep post-season options alive.
Meanwhile - turns out a film crew followed me to the desert, and is producing a documentary about the trip. Here's a link to the trailer.
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