Pac-10 Roundup : Arizona State Picks Off Cal, 30-8

Arizona State had seven interceptions--including three by cornerback Anthony Parker and one by cornerback Jeff Joseph that he returned a school-record 93 yards for a touchdown--to take the wind out of California’s otherwise productive offense and defeat the Bears, 30-8, Saturday at Berkeley.

Arizona State Coach John Cooper cited Joseph’s interception as a big one.

“The interception just before the half really turned the game around,” he said. “I feel that if Cal had scored, it might have been a different game.”

Cal gained 411 yards in total offense.

Said Joseph, a sophomore from Los Angeles’ Manual Arts High who started as a freshman but now sees only spot duty: “Scoring on an interception is something I’ve always dreamed about, and that’s my first, so I’m real happy.

“I was really disappointed when I lost my starting job this year. But I’m a fighter. I haven’t quit.”

The seven interceptions gave the Sun Devils 17 in a four-game winning streak. Parker’s first interception, in the end zone, killed a Cal scoring threat in the first period.

Arizona State All-American roverback David Fulcher, from Los Angeles’ Fremont High, hurt a knee after intercepting a pass late in the game and had to be helped off the field. But the injury was thought to be just a bruise on the knee which has been bothering him in recent weeks.

The Sun Devils stayed close to UCLA and Washington, Pac-10 co-leaders with 4-1 records, by improving to 3-1. The Sun Devils are 6-2 overall. Cal is 1-6 in the conference, 3-6 overall.

“We didn’t play with our usual intensity and zeal,” Cal Coach Joe Kapp said. “That is to take nothing away from Arizona State. They played a good game.”

The Bears were trailing, 13-8, and in position to take the lead with a touchdown after they drove to the Sun Devil 18-yard line with just over a minute remaining in the first half. Marc Hicks, a freshman running back who scored on a 79-yard pass play early in the second period, was the intended receiver on the pass intercepted by Joseph. Kevin Brown aimed for Hicks near the left sideline but overthrew him slightly.

Mike Crawford ran for two Arizona State touchdowns, fullback Vince Amoia had the first 100-yard rushing day of his career, and Kent Bostrom kicked three field goals.

The touchdown pass to Hicks was thrown by Brian Bedford, Cal’s starting quarterback who hurt his right foot in the second quarter and had to leave the game.

Arizona 27, Oregon State 6--Max Zendejas kicked two field goals, and Arizona’s defense accounted for three touchdowns at Corvallis, Ore.

Arizona got touchdowns on Don Be Ans’ blocked punt that Martin Rudolph carried into the end zone, Byron Evans’ fumble recovery and Boomer Gibson’s interception return.

The victory improved the Wildcats to 6-2 overall and 3-1 in the Pac-10. Arizona faces UCLA next Saturday at Tucson in what could determining the conference representative in the Rose Bowl.

The Beavers fell to 3-5 and 2-3.

Oregon 35, San Jose St. 13--Chris Miller threw for 244 yards and three touchdowns to lead Oregon over San Jose State in a nonconference game at Eugene, Ore.

Miller also scored a touchdown when he picked up an Oregon fumble on the nine-yard line and ran in on a third-quarter play that put the game away.

Miller’s 15 touchdown passes for the season leave him one short of the Ducks’ single-season record set in 1963 by Bob Berry and tied by Dan Fouts in 1970.

Oregon, 2-2 in the Pac-10, improved to 4-4 overall. San Jose State, 2-3 in the Pacific Coast Athletic Assn., is 2-7 overall.