TEMPE – Sun Devil Athletic Director Graham Rossini proudly announced Thursday that the legendary 1975 Sun Devil Football team will be part of the 2025 ASU Hall of Fame Class. They join Sun Devil Men’s Basketball star Jeff (Pendergraph) Ayres, who was informed of his selection by Rossini earlier this month.
The remainder of the class will be announced this fall, with all honorees being celebrated during events leading up to and during the Sun Devil football game against Texas Tech on October 18.
Perfect. Historic. Immortal.
Under the fierce leadership of head coach Frank Kush, the 1975 Sun Devils delivered an unblemished 12-0 season, claimed the Western Athletic Conference title, and secured a No. 2 national ranking—the highest in school history.
Outscoring opponents by a staggering 347-127, the Sun Devils dominated the WAC with a 7-0 record and etched their season into program lore with key wins over Utah, Wyoming, and archrival Arizona. The latter featured one of the most iconic plays in Sun Devil history—a breathtaking and controversial touchdown catch by sophomore wideout John Jefferson just before halftime that swung momentum and preserved the team’s unbeaten run.
The historic season culminated in a dramatic 17-14 victory over powerhouse Nebraska in the Fiesta Bowl, punctuated by a late comeback and clutch 29-yard field goal by Danny Kush, son of Coach Kush, with under five minutes to play. The win secured recognition as national champions by both the Sporting News and the National Championship Foundation.
Among the team’s many standout performers, wide receiver Jefferson dazzled with his acrobatic catches and precision route-running, notching eight receptions for 115 yards in the Fiesta Bowl before becoming a four-time NFL Pro Bowler. “Fast Freddie” Williams rushed for 1,316 yards and 12 touchdowns, terrorizing defenses and becoming one of ASU’s all-time greats. Mike Haynes, a shutdown corner and team co-captain, anchored the defense and went on to dual enshrinement in the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame. Linebacker Larry Gordon earned Fiesta Bowl Defensive MVP honors before launching a standout career with the Miami Dolphins.
In recognition of their excellence, 11 members of the 1975 team—eight players and three coaches—have already earned individual induction into the ASU Athletics Hall of Fame.
Those honorees include:
Nearly five decades later, their place in Sun Devil history remains undisputed.
The relentless rebounder who anchored a Sun Devil revival
A cornerstone of the Sun Devil Men’s Basketball program from 2005 to 2009, Ayres left an indelible mark on ASU Basketball. Over 126 games, he averaged 12.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and shot an impressive 58 percent from the field. His senior season was his finest, as he led the nation in field goal percentage at 66 percent, averaged 14.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, and earned First-Team All-Pac-10 honors. Notably, he delivered a 31-point, 11-rebound performance in a decisive win over Stanford in January 2009.
Ayres ranks sixth all-time in scoring (1,588 points), second in rebounds (942), and his 2008-09 field goal percentage is the school record. He is the only player in program history to lead the team in rebounding four consecutive seasons and helped guide ASU to a 25-win campaign and NCAA Tournament berth in his senior year.
Following his collegiate career, Ayres was selected in the 2009 NBA Draft and went on to play six seasons in the NBA, including a championship run with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014, before continuing his career overseas.
His consistency, leadership, and inside dominance made him a pillar during a pivotal era of transition for ASU basketball.