November 21, 2012

Page 1

ARIZONA DAILY WILDCAT

DUEL IN THE

DESERT

Arizona against ASU

When: Friday, 8.pm.

Where: Arizona Stadium

TV: ESPN

ARIZONA DAILY WILDCAT FILE PHOTO

ARIZONA AND ARIZONA STATE have one of the oldest rivalries in college football — the first Territorial Cup was played in 1899 — and new head coaches Rich Rodriguez (UA) and Todd Graham (ASU) are eager to continue the tradition after years of experiencing similar rivalries. Rodriguez said the UA-ASU dynamic is especially intriguing because of its same conference, same state status.

As Arizona renews its longtime rivalry with Arizona State, UA head coach Rich Rodriguez will meet a familiar face in ASU’s Todd Graham KYLE JOHNSON

F

Arizona Daily Wildcat

or a head coach at a new school, it’s hard to just jump head first into a new rivalry. UA coach Rich Rodriguez wasn’t here to experience the infamous collapse of former kicker Alex Zendejas two years ago, or last year when Arizona spoiled ASU’s chances at winning the Pac-12 South. ASU’s Todd Graham is new to the duel too. This isn’t the first time Graham and Rodriguez have crossed paths, though. The familiarity between the two staffs might not make the game any more meaningful than it already is, however, as both Graham and Rodriguez quickly pointed out. “Obviously this game is bigger than any individual or any person,” Graham said. “This is what college football is all about to me: these rivalries. It’s big enough in itself.” The coaches might not admit it, but the existing relationship between the two adds a nice element to the rivalry and a crash course for Rodriguez and Graham. Back in 2001, when Rodriguez first took over as head coach at West Virginia, he hired Graham as his linebackers coach. Graham was then promoted to defensive co-coordinator the next year before bolting to greener pastures in Tulsa, Okla. Graham was first

seniors enter last ‘duel’ A3

One thing the work history will bring to the table is the defensive coordinator for the Golden Hurricane before eventually becoming the head coach in 2007 a familiarity in philosophy and style. And with how — with a brief stint as Rice University’s head coach close Arizona (7-4, 4-4 Pac-12) and ASU (6-5, 4-4) are in the conference, any little advantage could help. in between. No matter what the two say, though, the water isn’t Morgantown, W. Va., wasn’t where Rodriguez and Graham first met on the football field, though. That completely clear of blood. When Rodriguez decided to was in 1993. come to Arizona, three of the In those days, Rodriguez, the Obviously this game coaches working for Graham in head coach at Glenville State, his one season as head coach lost 49-35 to the East Central is bigger than any at Pittsburgh last year — coand its defensive coordinator offensive coordinator Calvin Graham in the NAIA National individual or any person. Magee, receivers coach Tony Championship. Even with the This is what college Dews and safeties coach Tony loss, Rodriguez was the NAIA Gibson — left to join Rodriguez National Coach of the Year that football is all about. in Tucson. season, and his success with the According to Paul Zeise of Pioneers eventually led to his job the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, at West Virginia, where he hired — ASU head coach Graham referred to Magee, Graham. Todd Graham Gibson and Dews as “nothing Friday will mark the first time but mercenaries” at the time. the two have met on the gridiron Graham later said that the since their West Virginia days comments were taken out of together. context, but either way it adds Rodriguez has stressed that the game is about the players and winning another an extra layer of intrigue to a rivalry that really doesn’t need much more. football game, not the coaches. “From a preparation standpoint,” Rodriguez said, “If they change the rules and me and Todd can go at it one-on-one maybe [it’ll be personal],” Rogriguez “I think that helps them know us a little bit and us joked. “I’ll try to be ready for that, but that’s not know them a little bit. But other than that we’re gonna happen. I’m not playing … our coaches aren’t competing now, I’m not calling them up and trading bedtime stories.” playing, it’s all the players.”

A comparison: Rich Rod vs. Todd Graham A2

Rivalry 101: what you need to know A3


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November 21, 2012 by Arizona Daily Wildcat - Issuu