Arizona State's trip to London evokes memories of football in Tokyo
Arizona State football is playing in London on Sept. 19. Its last international trip was in 1990, and that game was quite the offensive showcase.
On September 19, 1990, Arizona State football faced Houston in what is remembered as one of the most remarkable games in ASU history, taking place in Tokyo. Houston's standout player, David Klingler, achieved a record-breaking performance with 716 yards and seven touchdowns, leading Houston to a 62-45 victory over ASU, then known as the Coca-Cola Classic.
The annual showcase game, originally named the Mirage Bowl, was held from 1977 to 1993. Now, on September 19, 2022, the ASU Sun Devils (1-1) will play against Kansas (1-1) at Wembley Stadium in London, marking the longest road trip for ASU since Klingler's historic game in Tokyo. Former ASU broadcaster Tim Healey, who was present during the 1990 trip, recalls how Houston's run-and-shoot offense dominated the game.
Both teams flew on the same charter out of Los Angeles, a practice that is no longer common. Healey describes the Tokyo trip as a memorable experience and anticipates that this London game will be equally iconic, highlighting the growing popularity of American football in the UK and the passionate fan base.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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