1996 Arizona State Sun Devils football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1996 Arizona State Sun Devils football Pacific-10 Conference Pac-10 4 4 11–1 8–0 Bruce Snyder 5th Dan Cozzetto 5th Phil Snow 2nd Sun Devil Stadium Pac-10 champion Rose Bowl L 17–20 vs. Ohio State The 1996 Arizona State Sun Devils football team represented Arizona State University as a member of the Pacific-10 Conference (Pac-10) during the 1996 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their fifth season under head coach Bruce Snyder, the Sun Devils compiled an overall record of 11–1 with a mark of 8–0 in conference play, winning the Pac-10 title. Arizona State earned a berth in the Rose Bowl, where they Sun Devils lost to Ohio State. The team played home games at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. Arizona State's 1996 season highlighted by a 19–0 shutout, on September 21, of the top-ranked, two-time defending national champion, Nebraska Cornhuskers in Tempe, ending Nebraska's 26-game win streak. The upset win also gained a measure of revenge from the previous season, when Sun Devils went into Lincoln, Nebraska and were not only defeated by a 77–28 margin, but were enraged after the eventual national champions threw a long touchdown pass in the game's final minutes. Led by quarterback Jake Plummer, who finished third in the voting for the Heisman Trophy, Arizona State was undefeated heading into the Rose Bowl against the Ohio State Buckeyes. Had the Sun Devils won the game, they would have had a chance of capturing at least a share of the national championship, as they would have been the only undefeated major-college team in the nation. The Sun Devils led 17–14 with 1:47 left in the fourth quarter, but surrendered a late touchdown to Ohio State, falling by a final score of 20–17. Schedule 1996 Mountain September 7 7:00 pm w 20 Washington Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ FSN 45–42 73,379 September 14 7:00 pm w y 18 North Texas Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ 52–7 46,173 September 21 7:15 pm w y 17 Nebraska 1 Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ FSN 19–0 74,089 September 28 3:30 pm w 6 Oregon Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ FSN 48–27 54,618 October 5 7:00 pm w y 5 Boise State Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ 56–7 49,018 October 12 12:30 pm w y 4 UCLA Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA ABC 42–34 66,107 October 19 12:30 pm w 4 USC Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ ABC 48–35 2OT 74,947 October 26 12:30 pm w y 4 Stanford Stanford Stadium Stanford, CA ABC 41–9 32,550 November 2 2:00 pm w y 4 Oregon State Parker Stadium Corvallis, OR 29–14 21,946 November 9 4:30 pm w y 4 California Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ FSN 35–7 74,963 November 23 4:30 pm w y 4 Arizona Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ rivalry FSN 56–14 59,920 January 1, 1997, 1997 1:30 pm l y y 2 Ohio State 4 Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA Rose Bowl ABC 17–20 100,635 Rankings 1996 NCAA Division I-A football rankings AP 0 17 20 20 20 18 17 6 (1) 5 (1) 4 (1) 4 (1) 4 (1) 4 (1) 4 (1) 4 (2) 4 (2) 3 (3) 2 (5) 2 (5) 4 Coaches Poll 0 17 NR – NR 23 22 12 7 5 5 4 4 4 4 4 3 (3) 2 (6) 2 (5) 4 Game summaries Washington 1996 Washington Huskies football team Arizona State Sun Devils 2; text-align:center collapsed Washington Huskies (0–0) at #20 Arizona State Sun Devils (0–0) September 21, 1996 Washington 7 7 7 21 Arizona St 7 7 14 17 Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona 73,379 95 F C First quarter ASU – Michael Martin 35-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Robert Nycz kick), 11:45. Arizona St 7–0. Drive: WASH – Dave Janoski 67-yard punt return (kick good). Tie 7–7 Second quarter WASH – Rashaan Shehee 6-yard run (kick good), 6:19. Washington 14–7. Drive: ASU – Ricky Boyer 13-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Robert Nycz kick), 0:48. Tie 14–14. Drive: Third quarter WASH – Cameron Cleeland 36-yard pass from Shane Fortney (kick good). Washington 21–14. Drive:ASU – Michael Martin 1-yard run (Robert Nycz kick). Tie 21–21. Drive: ASU – Isaiah Mustafa recovered fumble in end zone (Robert Nycz kick), 3:07. Arizona St 28–21.Fourth quarter''' ASU – Terry Battle 7-yard run (Robert Nycz kick), 14:31. Arizona St 35–21. Drive:ASU – Steve Bush 1-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Robert Nycz kick), 12:01. Arizona St 42–21. Drive:WASH – Brock Huard 10-yard run (kick good), 9:00. Arizona St 42–28. Drive:WASH – Gerald Harris 67-yard pass from Brock Huard (kick good), 7:15. Arizona St 42–35. Drive:WASH – Corey Dillon 8-yard run (kick good), 5:13. Tie 42–42. Drive: ASU – Robert Nycz 38-yard field goal, 0:02. Arizona St 45–42. Drive:'' Top passers WASH – Brock Huard – 6/11, 143 yards, TD ASU – Jake Plummer – 16/30, 186 yards, 3 TD Top rushers WASH ASU Top receivers WASH ASU Arizona St. 45, Washington 42 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/colleges/colfoot/0907/asuwash8.htm The Washington Post September 8, 1996 October 24, 2019 North Texas North Texas Mean Green football Nebraska Nebraska at Arizona State No. 1 Cornhuskers No. 17 Sun Devils 0 0 0 0 9 8 0 2 September 21 Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona PDT 74,089 yes 1 11:38 ASU Keith Poole 22-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Robert Nycz kick) ASU 7–0 1 10:38 ASU Safety, Ahman Green fumbled out of end zone ASU 9–0 2 8:59 ASU Robert Nycz 27-yard field goal ASU 12–0 2 2:19 ASU Safety, ball snapped out of end zone ASU 14–0 2 0:30 ASU Robert Nycz 44-yard field goal ASU 17–0 4 6:43 ASU Safety, Scott Frost tackled in end zone ASU 19–0 yes 1996 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team Sun Devils Become Cornshockers: Arizona State Ends Nebraska's 26-Game Winning Streak, 19-0 https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1996/sep/22/sun-devils-become-cornshockers-arizona-state-ends/ The Spokesman-Review September 22, 1996 October 22, 2019ARIZONA STATE SHOCKS NO. 1 NEBRASKA, 19-0 https://buffalonews.com/1996/09/22/arizona-state-shocks-no-1-nebraska-19-0/ The Buffalo News September 21, 1996 October 22, 2019DEVIL OF AN UPSET https://www.si.com/vault/1996/09/30/208933/devil-of-an-upset-arizona-state-ended-nebraskas-26-game-streak-and-joined-the-national-title-race Sports Illustrated September 30, 1996 October 24, 2019 Oregon 1996 Oregon Ducks football team No Letdown for Arizona State https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-09-29-sp-48806-story.html Los Angeles Times September 29, 1996 October 24, 2019 Boise State 1996 Boise State Broncos football team Arizona State Is Still Running in High Gear, 56-7 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-10-06-sp-51262-story.html Los Angeles Times October 6, 1996 October 24, 2019 At UCLA Arizona State at UCLA No. 4 Sun Devils Bruins 7 7 7 21 21 7 6 0 October 12 Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California PDT 66,107 1996 UCLA Bruins football team Sun Devils Survive UCLA Scare: Plummer Spearheads Late Rally To Keep Arizona State Unbeaten https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1996/oct/13/sun-devils-survive-ucla-scare-plummer-spearheads/ The Spokesman-Review October 13, 1996 October 24, 2019 USC 1996 USC Trojans football team ARIZONA ST. 48, USC 35 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-10-20-9610200353-story.html Chicago Tribune October 20, 1996 October 22, 2019 At Stanford 1996 Stanford Cardinal football team Arizona State Routs Stanford, 41-9 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-10-27-sp-58540-story.html Los Angeles Times October 27, 1996 October 24, 2019 At Oregon State Arizona State at Oregon State No. 4 Sun Devils Beavers 6 3 13 7 0 14 0 0 November 2 Parker Stadium, Corvallis, Oregon PST 21,946 1996 Oregon State Beavers football team Arizona St. 29, Oregon St. 14 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/colleges/colfoot/1102/asuosu.htm The Washington Post November 2, 1996 October 24, 2019 California California at Arizona State Golden Bears No. 20 Sun Devils 7 0 0 0 0 14 7 14 November 9 Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona PST 74,963 1996 California Golden Bears football team Sun Devils Clinch Title: Easy Win Puts Asu In Rose Bowl https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1996/nov/10/sun-devils-clinch-title-easy-win-puts-asu-in-rose/ The Spokesman-Review November 10, 1996 October 24, 2019 At Arizona 1996 Arizona Wildcats football team Duel in the Desert Arizona State Sun Devils 2; text-align:center collapsed #4 Arizona State Sun Devils (10–0) at Arizona Wildcats (5–5) November 23, 1996 Arizona St 7 21 14 14 Arizona 0 7 0 7 Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Arizona 59,920 Cloudy, 62 F C Recap/Box Score First quarter ASU – Terry Battle 20-yard run (Robert Nycz kick), 0:15. Arizona St 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 34 yards, 0:59. Second quarter ASU – Terry Battle 4-yard run (Robert Nycz kick), 12:17. Arizona St 14–0. Drive: 2 plays, 5 yards, 0:32. ARIZ – Keith Smith 1-yard run (Matt Peyton kick), 8:20. Arizona St 14–7. Drive: 7 plays, 70 yards, 3:57. ASU – Keith Poole 27-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Robert Nycz kick), 7:13. Arizona St 21–7. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:07. ASU – Terry Battle 1-yard run (Robert Nycz kick), 1:17. Arizona St 28–7. Drive: 6 plays, 73 yards, 1:45. Third quarter ASU – Keith Poole 40-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Robert Nycz kick), 10:22. Arizona St 35–7. Drive: 7 plays, 69 yards, 2:30. ASU – Steve Bush 10-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Robert Nycz kick), 0:39. Arizona St 42–7. Drive: 8 plays, 53 yards, 3:24. Fourth quarter ARIZ – Mikal Smith 98-yard interception return (Matt Peyton kick), 12:18. Arizona St 42–14. ASU – Marlon Farlow 1-yard run (Robert Nycz kick), 10:47. Arizona St 49–14. Drive: 5 plays, 56 yards, 1:31. ASU – Marlon Farlow 8-yard run (Robert Nycz kick), 1:06. Arizona St 56–14. Drive: 11 plays, 85 yards, 7:27. Top passers ASU – Jake Plummer – 10/19, 201 yards, 3 TD, 2 int ARIZ – Keith Smith – 6/15, 91 yards, INT Top rushers ASU – Terry Battle – 23 rushes, 143 yards, 3 TD ARIZ – Leon Callen – 6 rushes, 19 yards Top receivers ASU – Keith Poole – 4 receptions, 123 yards, 2 TD ARIZ – Jeremy McDaniel – 2 receptions, 54 yards Bruce Snyder's 100th career win Terry Battle passes 1,000 yards rushing for the season (ASU – 450 rush yards) Arizona State Flattens Arizona https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1996/nov/24/arizona-state-flattens-arizona/ The Spokesman-Review November 24, 1996 October 24, 2019 Vs. Ohio State (Rose Bowl) Ohio State vs. Arizona State No. 4 Buckeyes 7 0 7 6 No. 2 Sun Devils 0 7 3 7 January 1 Rose Bowl PST 100,635 Terry Monk Brent Musburger (Play-by-play), Dick Vermeil (Analyst), and Jack Arute (Sideline) ABC yes 1 5:04 OSU David Boston 9-yard pass from Stanley Jackson (Josh Jackson kick) OSU 7–0 2 10:04 ASU Ricky Boyer 25-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Robert Nycz kick) Tied 7–7 3 9:12 ASU Robert Nycz 37-yard field goal ASU 10–7 3 8:23 OSU Dimitrious Stanley 72-yard pass from Joe Germaine (J. Jackson kick) OSU 14–10 4 1:40 ASU Plummer 11-yard run (Nycz kick) ASU 17–14 4 0:19 OSU Boston 5-yard pass from Germaine (kick blocked) OSU 20–17 yes 1997 Rose Bowl 1996 Ohio State Buckeyes football team Time Runs Out on Sun Devils' National Title Bid http://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/02/sports/time-runs-out-on-sun-devils-national-title-bid.html The New York Times January 2, 1997 October 24, 2019 Roster 1996 Arizona State Sun Devils f Kendrick Bates TE 8 Sr Terry Battle RB 24 So Ricky Boyer WR 82 Sr Steve Bush TE y 11 So Steve Campbell QB Marlon Farlow RB Gus Farwell QB 70 Jr Glen Gable OT 39 Jr Scott Hansen RB 83 So Lenzie Jackson WR 87 Fr Brian Jennings TE y 88 Sr Devin Kendall TE 29 Jr Michael Martin RB 81 So Kenny Mitchell WR Mike Morales RB 56 Jr Kyle Murphy OG 7 Sr Isaiah Mustafa WR y 44 So Jeff Paulk FB y 16 Sr Jake Plummer QB y 3 Sr Keith Poole WR y 21 Fr J. R. Redmond RB y 65 Sr Kirk Robertson C Zack Romero OL 74 Sr Juan Roque OT y 51 So Grey Ruegamer OG y 71 Fr Marvel Smith OT y Craig Spenn WR 67 Sr Pat Thompson OL Kevin Tommasini RB 12 Sr Jeremy Alexander DB 98 Jr Vincent Amey DE Albrey Battle DL 55 Sr Dave Baumgartner DE 94 Sr Brent Burnstein DT 93 Jr Malchi Crawford DE 47 Sr Chris Finn LB Mitchell Freedman DB Courtney Jackson DB 39 Jr Damien Richardson Damien Richardson (American football) DB y 59 Sr Derrick Rodgers LB y 92 Jr Jeremy Staat DT y 10 Sr Jason Simmons CB y 9 Jr Thomas Simmons S 36 Sr Derek Smith Derek Smith (linebacker) LB y Marcus Soward DB 99 Sr Shawn Swayda DT y 42 Jr Pat Tillman DB y 22 Sr Raenaurd Turpin DB RB 50 Sr Scott Von der Ahe LB 17 Jr Lance Anderson P 41 Jr Robert Nycz K https://web.archive.org/web/19961225151855/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/sfc/pac10/sfcg02rn.htm *Bruce Snyder Dan Cozzetto – Offensive coordinator Phil Snow – Defensive coordinator Kevin Wolthausen – Defensive line Awards and honors Jake Plummer: Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year, Third in Heisman Trophy balloting Bruce Snyder: Paul "Bear" Bryant Award http://www.nssahalloffame.com/72/index.aspx dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071227235216/http://www.nssahalloffame.com/72/index.aspx 2007-12-27 Bear Bryant Award Past Winners - 1996 team players in the NFL The following players were claimed in the 1997 NFL draft. 2 Arizona State Sun Devils Player Position Round Pick NFL club Juan Roque Tackle 2 35 Detroit Lions Jake Plummer Quarterback 2 42 Arizona Cardinals Derek M. Smith Outside Linebacker 3 80 Washington Redskins Derrick Rodgers Outside Linebacker 3 92 Miami Dolphins Keith Poole Wide receiver 4 116 New Orleans Saints Scott Von der Ahe Linebacker 6 182 Indianapolis Colts Shawn Swayda Defensive tackle 6 196 Chicago Bears Terry Battle Running back 7 206 Detroit Lions https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1997.htm 1984 NFL Draft Listing - Pro-Football-Reference.com Pro-Football-Reference.com 2015-11-11 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090527000715/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1984.htm 2009-05-27 References Arizona State Category:Arizona State Sun Devils football seasons Category:Pac-12 Conference football champion seasons Arizona State Sun Devils football