Sun Devils Try a New Approach

Arizona State has taken an island-style, laid-back approach in preparation for today’s Aloha Bowl against Boston College.

A year ago at the same site, the Sun Devils say they wore themselves out in pregame sightseeing and festivities, contributing to a 23-3 loss to Wake Forest. This year, they have toned down the extra activities.

“This team is a lot more mature,” offensive coordinator John Pettas said. “Last year, they took in the sights a little more than we wanted. This team’s a little more focused on the game.”

The Sun Devils (6-5) also are trying to give ousted Coach Bruce Snyder a victory in his last game.

It will be the first meeting between Arizona State and Boston College, which lost, 62-28, to Colorado last year in the Insight.com Bowl.

The Eagles (6-5) struggled at the end of the season, losing their final two games, including 52-6 to second-ranked Miami.

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South Carolina Coach Lou Holtz has been through this before. He only hopes the results work as well this New Year’s Day as they did 23 years ago.

Holtz has suspended Derek Watson, the Gamecocks’ leading rusher, for an unspecified violation of team rules. Watson, the team’s first 1,000-yard rusher in four years, will miss the Outback Bowl against Ohio State.

In 1977, Holtz suspended three players who accounted for seven of every 10 yards Arkansas gained only days before the Orange Bowl against No. 1 Oklahoma. The Razorbacks won, 31-6.

When Holtz suspended Razorback runners Ben Cowins and Michael Forrest and receiver Donny Bobo “it virtually won the game for them,” said Grant Teaff, the former Baylor coach and now executive director of the American Football Coaches Assn. “Players know where the trouble is. If a coach comes in and does what’s best for the team, they understand that.”

“It’s unfortunate that Derek chose not to abide by the standards that our players must uphold,” Holtz said. “But he will be held accountable for his actions.”

Watson, a sophomore, ran for 1,066 yards and 12 touchdowns. His average of 166.7 all-purpose yards a game led the Southeastern Conference.

Watson was South Carolina’s high school Mr. Football in 1998. He was the first big recruiting prize when Holtz became Gamecock coach two years ago.

He missed several practices and the team’s Fan Appreciation Day on Dec. 3. Watson and team officials said the absence was because of a death in the family.

On Thursday, Watson was in a car wreck while driving teammate Teddy Crawford’s car at 3 a.m. Watson said a blown tire caused the accident. The police report said Watson was ticketed for driving too fast and driving with a suspended license.

This week, Watson said he probably would stay in Columbia for Christmas instead of returning home to Williamston, S.C.

“I tend to get in trouble when I go home,” he said.

Andrew Pinnock and Ryan Brewer are candidates to replace Watson in the lineup.

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There’s more to preparation for college all-star games than tackling, blocking and 40-yard dash times.

There are also the inch-thick questionnaires handed out by NFL teams looking to examine the psyches of players they might offer seven-figure contracts.

Some of the things inquiring teams wanted to know leading to today’s Blue-Gray Classic in Montgomery, Ala., made Alabama offensive lineman Griff Redmill chuckle. His two favorites: “Have you ever teased animals?” and “Do dirty jokes A) make you laugh or B) embarrass you.”

Redmill says he never bothers animals. As for the second question, “I mean, what do you think? It’s silly.”

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Junior Clemson defensive back Alex Ardley, whose six interceptions lead the Tigers, is considering making himself eligible for the NFL draft.

Ardley, who tied a school record this season with three interceptions in a game against Maryland, said he’ll make his decision after Clemson plays Virginia Tech in the Gator Bowl.