| Year: | 1966 |
| Team: | Arizona State Sun Devils |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Western Athletic Conference |
| Short Conf: | WAC |
| Record: | 5–5 |
| Conf Record: | 3–2 |
| Head Coach: | Frank Kush |
| Hc Year: | 9th |
| Stadium: | Sun Devil Stadium |
The 1966 Arizona State Sun Devils football team was an American football team that represented Arizona State University in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) during the 1966 NCAA University Division football season. In their ninth season under head coach Frank Kush, the Sun Devils compiled a 5–5 record (3–2 in WAC, second), and were outscored 174 to 166.[1] [2]
The team's statistical leaders included John Goodman with 1,259 passing yards, Travis Williams with 551 rushing yards, and Ken Dyer with 496 receiving yards.[3]
Don Baker, Bill Kajikawa, Paul Kemp, Larry Kentera, Jack Stovall, and Dick Tamburo were assistant coaches.[4] The team captains were offensive tackle Ray Shirey and defensive end Steve Timarac.[5] The Sun Devils finished 3–3 at home and 2–2 on the road. All home games were played at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona.
On September 17, Arizona State opened its season with a 30–26 victory over Texas Western. The game drew a record opening night crowd of 39,367. The Sun Devils trailed, 19–7, at halftime, but quarterback John Goodman led a comeback in the fourth quarter.[6]
On September 24, the team suffered a 23–6 road loss against Wyoming. Quarterback John Goodman threw three interceptions in the first quarter, and each one led to a Wyoming score. The Sun Devils trailed, 17–0, at the end of the disastrous first quarter.[7]
On October 1, the team lost, 21–20, to West Texas State at Sun Devil Stadium. Wes Plummer set an Arizona State record when he returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown.[8]
On October 8, the Sun Devils lost a 24–15 road contest against Washington State.[9]
On October 14, Arizona State halted its three-game losing streak with a 10–7 road victory over undefeated BYU.[10]
On October 22, the Sun Devils suffered an 18–17 home loss to Oregon State.[11]
On November 5, following a bye week, the Sun Devils lost, 21–6, at home against Utah. To that point in the season, they had lost five of seven games.[12]
On November 12, the Sun Devils bounced back with a 14–10 home win over Oregon. This was the first college football game between Arizona State and Oregon.[13]
On November 19, Arizona State defeated New Mexico, 28–7, at Sun Devil Stadium.[14]
On November 26, in the annual Arizona–Arizona State football rivalry game, the Sun Devils prevailed for a 20–17 road victory against Arizona.[15]
Arizona State's usual offensive lineup included: wide receiver Ken Dyer, left tackle Ray Shirey, left guard Jim Kane, center George Hummer, right guard Obie Lowe, right tackle Larry Langford, quarterback John Goodman, halfback Max Anderson, fullback Travis Williams, and wingback Fair Hooker.[4]
Arizona State's usual defensive lineup included: left defensive end Jesse Fleming, left defensive tackle Bob Rokita, middle guard Curley Culp, right defensive tackle Larry Hendershot, right defensive end Steve Timarac, left linebacker Dick Egloff, middle linebacker Dave Buchanan, right linebacker Ron Pritchard, left cornerback John Pitts, right cornerback Ken Dyer, and safety Phil Booker.[4]
Arizona State's specialists included punter Ken Hornbeck and placekicker Bob Rokita.
Cecil Abono, Ron Elam, Chuck Hunt, Paul Palumbo, Rick Shaw, Nello Tomarelli, Dickie Brown, Mike Chowaniec, Richard Mann, and Wes Plummer were also on the roster.
The team's statistical leaders included:
The team's statistical averages for the 1966 season included the following:
Linebacker Ron Pritchard received All-American Honorable Mention honors from the Associated Press for the 1966 football season.[18]
Pritchard, Curley Culp, and Steve Timarac received first-team All-Western Athletic Conference honors for the 1966 campaign. Ken Dyer and Ray Shirey received second-team All-Western Athletic Conference honors.[19]
Ken Dyer earned the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame Scholar Athlete Award for the 1966 campaign and was also named an Academic All-American.[20]
Team awards were presented as follows: