April 13, 2002
The Gold team, led by quarterback Andrew Walter's two fourth-quarter touchdown passes, defeated the Maroon squad, 22-7 Saturday in the annual Spring Football Game at Sun Devil Stadium/Frank Kush Field.
Walter first threw a 35-yard strike to a diving Matt Miller (redshirt freshman) in the South end zone, which made it 7-6 Maroon. The Gold team went for two points, with Walter scrambling in to make the score 8-7. The Gold team then scored again on a Jared Wolfgramm 25-yard interception return of a Christiansen pass that was pressured by linebacker Josh Amobi. A Greg Pieratt extra point made the score 15-7 Gold.
Walter then threw another touchdown pass, this time 13 yards to junior Shawn McDonald, making the final score 22-7.
The two teams were scoreless until the Maroon scored on a 30-yard halfback pass from redshirt freshman Hakim Hill to redshirt freshman quarterback Chad Christiansen. Senior Mike Barth's extra point made it 7-0.
Defensive end Brian Montesanto led the Gold defense with two sacks while Amobi pressured the quarterback all afternoon. Amobi added a sack as did linebacker Barton Hammit.
Defensive end Terrell Suggs had a sack for the Maroon squad while Jimmy Verdon recovered a fumble and cornerback R. J. Oliver collected an interception of Walter.
For the first time in recent years the team held a mid-week draft of players, led by the seniors, and played a live scoring game.
ASU opens the 2002 season at Nebraska on Saturday, August 24 in the BCA (Black Coaches Association) Classic. The game is televised at 6:45 p.m. CT by ESPN.