With the 1950s and ‘60s already covered, Sun Devil Science now shifts to the most collectively memorable and influential decade in Arizona State football history, the 1970s.
The decade that saw ASU elevate from the Western Athletic Conference to the Pac-10 Conference, the decade that witnessed the creation and prominence of the Fiesta Bowl and the decade in which Frank Kush firmly cemented his legacy as a Hall of Fame coach, the 1970s undoubtedly included the most collectively historic years in Arizona State football history.
During this illustrious decade, ASU posted five of its 12 all-time seasons of 10 or more victories including four consecutive from 1970-73, the Sun Devils had four of its seven all-time final top-10 Associated Press poll rankings and Arizona State showcased three of the top-seven scoring offenses in program history.
Needless to say, the players that provided these incredible superlatives include some of the football program’s all-time legends at virtually every position.
Quarterback
Danny White (1971-73)
There were some very good quarterbacks in the latter portion of the ‘70s – both Dennis Sproul and Mark Malone were Honorable Mention All-Americans for ASU – but no one can challenge White, arguably the best quarterback in program history, for this title.
White’s story is well known as the Mesa native and son of program legend Wilford “Whizzer” White came to ASU primarily to play baseball but then was brought on to the football team to punt, only later to claim the starting quarterback spot and ultimately orchestrate a Hall of Fame career for the Sun Devils. By the end of his career, White held every passing record in Sun Devil history as he ended his tenure with 6,717 passing yards and 64 touchdowns. White placed ninth in the 1973 Heisman Trophy voting, earning First Team All-America and First-Team All-WAC honors as well. An Honorable Mention All-WAC pick as a junior in 1972, perhaps of greater value than his individual achievements was the overall elevation of the football program White helped facilitate as the Sun Devils won each of the first three Fiesta Bowls under White’s guidance at quarterback. A charter inductee into ASU’s Sports Hall of Fame as part of the 1975 class, White was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1998.
Running Back
Woody Green (1971-73)
Without a doubt the most talented and accomplished running back ever to play at Arizona State, for three years Green joined Danny White to form the most formidable one-two backfield punch ASU has ever seen. One of only 13 players in ASU history to earn on three occasions first-team all-conference honors, Green was one of the nation’s premier rushers during his career in Tempe. The only three-time 1,000-yard rusher in ASU history, in his debut season of 1971 Green rushed for the third-highest single season total at the time by a Sun Devil (1,310) before breaking the school single-season rushing record the next year (1,565). In all, across his three seasons, Green rushed for 4,188 yards on 675 carries with 39 touchdowns – all school records.
Green was joined in what was an absolutely loaded ASU backfield with fellow rushers Benny Malone and Brent McClanahan, worthy candidates for this list as well. The owner of 21 career 100-yard games, Green was a Consensus All-American in both 1972 and ’73 and an Honorable Mention All-American a sophomore in 1971. The 16th overall pick in the 1974 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, Green was inducted into ASU’s Sports Hall of Fame as a charter inductee in 1975.
Freddie Williams (1973-76)
After the likes of Green, Malone and McClanahan moved on from Arizona State, Williams emerged as the next sensational running back for ASU. In his first season as a starter, Williams carried a school record 249 times and totaled 1,299 rushing yards – at the time the fifth-highest single-season mark in ASU history. The next year as an integral component of the undefeated 1975 squad, Williams improved from the previous season with yet another school mark of 266 carries (still the ASU record) for 1,427 yards on the ground. The author of 17 career 100-yard games – second most in ASU history behind Green – Williams was an Honorable Mention All-American and First-Team All-WAC selection in both 1974 and ’75. Williams finished his career and remains second behind Green on ASU’s all-time rushing chart with 3,424 yards on 648 carries with 19 touchdowns and was inducted into ASU’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.
Wide Receiver
Steve Holden (1970-72)
A dynamic, big play threat, Holden was a three-time First-Team All-WAC selection with honors coming both at wide receiver and as a returns specialist. In 1972 he added First-Team All-America accolades to the list after catching 42 passes for 911 yards and a school record 12 touchdown receptions. Statistically, Holden ranked fifth and third in the nation in touchdown catches in 1971 and ’72, respectively and he also ranked fourth nationally in yards-per-catch both seasons. The 16th overall pick in the 1973 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns, Holden was inducted into the ASU Sports Hall of Fame in 1984.
John Jefferson (1974-77)
The most prominent wide receiver ever to play for Arizona State, Jefferson is the lone Sun Devil at the position to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. At the conclusion of his illustrious four-year tenure in Tempe, Jefferson was the program’s all-time leader in receptions (188) and receiving yards (2,993), marks that have only since been surpassed by Derek Hagan. A Consensus All-American in 1977, Jefferson twice earned First-Team All-WAC recognition and was ASU’s leading receiver all four years he played. The Offensive Most Valuable Player of the 1975 Fiesta Bowl, Jefferson earned Honorable Mention All-America accolades that year as well. Twice Jefferson ranked in the nation’s top-10 in receiving yards as he placed sixth in both 1975 and ’77, while he also ranked ninth national in receptions in 1975.
After his Sun Devil career ended, Jefferson was chosen 14th overall by the San Diego Chargers in the 1978 NFL Draft and he went on to earn four Pro Bowl nods in his first five NFL seasons. A 1979 inductee into the ASU Sports Hall of Fame and was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002.
Tight End
Joe Petty (1970-72)
The most productive tight end of the decade, at the end of his three-year career Petty, ranked second in school history in receptions and receiving yards by a tight end behind Ken Dyer with his 81 catches for 1,352 yards. In 1971, Petty caught six touchdown passes – a single-season ASU record by a tight end that still stands and has only once been tied (Zach Miller, 2004). A three-year starter for the Sun Devils, Petty earned First-Team All-WAC honors as both a junior and as a senior. Today, Petty ranks second in ASU in career touchdown catches by a tight end (11) – one more than superstar Todd Heap – fourth in receiving yards by a tight end and fifth in receptions by a tight end.
All-Purpose
J.D. Hill (1967-68; ’70)
Though two of his three seasons were played in the 1960s, Hill contributed an unforgettable senior season to ASU’s undefeated 1970 squad by becoming the first player in program history to surpass the 1,000-yard receiving mark while also setting single-season Sun Devil records in receptions and touchdown catches with his 61 receptions for 1,009 yards and 11 scores. A First-Team All-American by Sporting News and Time as a senior, Hill was also a First-Team All-WAC pick as a senior after earning Second-Team recognition his sophomore season.
Not merely a prolific pass catcher, Hill also rushed for nine career touchdowns and 606 yards and also averaged 10.0 yards per punt return with a touchdown as a sophomore. Hill’s all-purpose athletic prowess surfaced elsewhere for the Sun Devils as he also competed for ASU’s track and field and baseball teams. Beyond ASU, Hill used his versatility and explosiveness to become the fourth overall pick in the 1971 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. Hill was inducted into ASU’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1976.
Offensive Line
Gary Venturo (1968-70)
A three-year starter at guard, Venturo twice earned First-Team All-WAC recognition including his senior season for the Sun Devils in 1970. That season Venturo also was named a Second-Team All-American helping lead ASU to an undefeated record. Venturo later went on to a prolific local high school coaching career.
Mike Tomco (1969-71)
Tomco started at right tackle as a sophomore and center as a junior and senior, taking home Third-Team All-America honors by the Associated Press in 1971. He also accomplished the rare feat of earning First-Team All-WAC accolades all three years he played in Tempe.
Steve Gunther (1972-73)
A two-year starter at left tackle, Gunther collected First-Team All-WAC honors as a senior and helped block for the likes of Woody Green, Benny Malone, and Brent McClanahan.
John Houser (1972-74)
A First-Team All-WAC pick in 1973 and ’74 and an Honorable Mention selection in 1972, the three-year starter at left guard was also an Honorable Mention All-American as a senior.
George Fadok (1975-77)
An Honorable Mention All-American and First-Team All-WAC pick in 1977, Fadok started at left guard his sophomore and junior seasons before playing right tackle as a senior.
Defense
Defensive Line
Junior Ah You (1969-71)
A First-Team All-WAC selection all three years he played, Ah You was also a Second-Team All-American as a senior in 1971. The Defensive Most Valuable Player of both the 1970 Peach Bowl and the 1971 Fiesta Bowl, Ah You totaled 104 tackles including 15.0 for loss as a senior. In 1984, Ah You was inducted into the ASU Sports Hall of Fame.
Willie Scroggins (1975-76)
Scroggins made the most of his two years in Tempe as he posted 102 tackles including 14.0 for loss in 1975 on his way to First-Team All-WAC recognition and Honorable Mention All-America accolades.
Al Harris (1975-78)
More than 20 years before Terrell Suggs terrorized opponents from his defensive end position for ASU, Harris was an original sack master for the Sun Devils. When sacks began to count as an official statistic in 1978, Harris exploded with a team-high 19.0 which helped him become the first player in ASU history to earn Unanimous All-America distinction while he also easily netted First-Team All-Pac-10 honors. An Honorable Mention All-American and First-Team All-WAC pick in 1977 and an Honorable Mention All-WAC member in ’76, Harris was later picked ninth overall in the 1979 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears and now resides in ASU’s Sports Hall of Fame.
Bob Kohrs (1977-79)
A three-year starter at defensive end, Kohrs helped captain the Sun Devils in 1979 and that year earned Second-Team All-America honors and First-Team All-Pac-10 distinction. In total, Kohrs collected 214 tackles including 30.0 sacks as a Sun Devil and for two years paired with Harris to form the most intimidating duo of defensive ends in ASU history. A product of Phoenix’s Brophy Prep, Kohrs was chosen in the second round (35th overall) by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1980 NFL Draft and in 1991 was added to ASU’s Sports Hall of Fame.
Linebacker
Bob Bruenig (1972-74)
A dominant local defender, the Phoenix Alhambra High School product carved out one of the most impressive careers in Sun Devil history as he finished his collegiate tenure as ASU’s all-time leader in tackles with 353. A First-Team All-American in 1974 and a three-time First-Team All-WAC selection, Breunig was a team captain in 1973 and ’74. After his college career, Breunig played 10 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys with three Pro Bowl Selections. A 1977 addition to ASU’s Sports Hall of Fame, Breunig became ASU’s most recent addition to the College Football Hall of Fame with his 2015 induction.
Larry Gordon (1973-75)
In 1974, Gordon posted 131 tackles beside Bruenig at linebacker in what has to be considered the most outstanding linebacker duo ASU has ever showcased. The next season, Gordon totaled a team-high 150 tackles on his way to Honorable Mention All-America accolades for ASU’s undefeated 1975 squad. The Defensive Most Valuable Player of the 1975 Fiesta Bowl, Gordon earned First-Team All-WAC honors in 1974 and ’75. The 17th overall pick in the 1976 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, Gordon was selected to the ASU Sports Hall of Fame in 1979.
Tim Peterson (1975-77)
After beginning his career starting alongside Gordon, Peterson came into his own as his career developed and he earned First-Team All-WAC and Honorable Mention All-America distinction as a senior in 1977.
Defensive Back
Windlan Hall (1969-71)
A three-year starter at cornerback, Hall was ASU’s interceptions leader in 1970 and ’71 with seven each season and earned Second-Team All-America and First-Team All-WAC honors both years. A team captain as a senior in 1971, Hall was inducted into the ASU Sports Hall of Fame in 1992.
Mike Haynes (1973-75)
A surefire “Mount Rushmore” caliber player for Arizona State football, Haynes is one of just two Sun Devils residing in both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame. Undoubtedly the most talented defensive back ever to play for ASU, Haynes was a Consensus All-American in 1975 and an Honorable Mention All-American the year before. Additionally, Haynes also took home First-Team All-WAC distinction all three years he played and was a team captain as a senior in 1975. The fifth overall pick in the 1976 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, Haynes’ illustrious pro career began as the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and ultimately included nine Pro Bowl appearances. In 1977, Haynes was entered into the ASU Sports Hall of Fame, in 1997 he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and in 2001 he was added to the College Football Hall of Fame.
Mike Martinez (1974-76)
Though Haynes surely corralled the bulk of the accolades, his counterpart at cornerback garnered high-level distinction as well. An Honorable Mention All-American and First-Team All-WAC selection in 1975 while starting alongside Haynes, Martinez also was named an Honorable Mention All-WAC member in ’76. The three-year starter also claimed Academic All-WAC honors as a senior.
John Harris (1975-77)
An Honorable Mention All-American in both 1976 and ’77, Harris was a standout in the classroom as well, Harris was a three-time Academic All-WAC selection. A First-Team All-WAC pick in 1976 and ’77, later enjoyed an 11-year NFL career with a total of 50 interceptions. In 1989, Harris was inducted into the ASU Sports Hall of Fame.
Kicker
Dan Kush (1973-76)
A two-time Honorable Mention All-WAC selection, the son of head coach Frank Kush is most famously known among Sun Devil lore for his game-winning field goal over Nebraska in the 1975 Fiesta Bowl. Kush graduated as ASU’s all-time leader in career field goals (34), points by kicking (223) and made PATs (119).
Punter
Danny White (1971-73)
Though he made his legendary name at quarterback, White initially was brought to the football team to punt and maintained those duties during his college career. White’s numbers improved each year as he averaged 40.2 yards on 56 punts as a sophomore, 43.0 yards on 54 punts as a junior and 43.4 yards on 54 punts as a senior. Altogether, White averaged 41.7 yards on 164 career punts and in 1973 was a First-Team All-WAC pick at punter as well as quarterback. White continued to punt at the pro level, averaging 40.2 yards on 610 career punts with the Dallas Cowboys.
Returns Specialist
Steve Holden (1970-72)
A big-play threat any time he touched the ball, in addition to his prowess at receiver Holden was an All-WAC selection in the return game. The 1970 NCAA leader in punt return average (19.2), Holden had a career average of 15.3 yards on 73 punt returns with four touchdowns and was also ASU’s top kickoff returner in 1970 and ’71. The only player in school history with two punt returns over 90 yards, Holden remains ASU’s all-time leader in punt return yards (1,120).
