UA players say the play shouldn’t have counted. ASU players call it sour grapes.

Regardless, “The Catch” from the 1975 Duel in the Desert remains the all-time favorite play of many ASU football fans – and the source of grumbling from Wildcats who played in that game.

Trailing 14-3 late in the final minute of the first half, the No. 8 Sun Devils were on the move down the field, trying to cut into the No. 12 Wildcats’ lead before halftime in Tempe.

With just seconds remaining in the half, ASU quarterback Dennis Sproul appeared to overthrow All-American wide receiver John Jefferson in the end zone. But Sproul’s throw allowed Jefferson to make one of the most acrobatic receptions in Duel in the Desert history, as he dove at full stretch to catch the ball, grabbed it and brought it into his body as he fell to the ground in the corner of the end zone.

Countdown to the 2013 Territorial Cup

The play and subsequent extra point trimmed UA’s lead to 14-10, and more importantly, ignited Sun Devil Stadium and completely shifted the game’s momentum as the teams headed to their locker rooms.

But many Wildcats who saw the play as it occurred in the endzone or watched the play back on tape are convinced that, had instant replay existed in 1975, The Catch would not have stood. They believe: 1. The ball hit the ground as Jefferson landed on the turf, 2. At least part of Jefferson landed out of bounds as he brought the ball in.

Nonetheless, The Catch counted, and the Devils completed their comeback in the second half, earning a 24-21 win over one of the best-ever UA football squads and a spot in the Fiesta Bowl.

Territorial quote: “I think it’s sour grapes. I’ve watched that replay more than a half-dozen times because the media always replays it. I’m not sure, even if he did drop it, if the replay would’ve showed it, because his back would’ve been against where the cameras typically are at ASU. There were two officials, each on one side of the end zone, and they called it good.”

-ASU kicker Dan Kush (1973-76)

Shane Dale is the author “Territorial: The History of the Duel in the Desert.” 

Sun Devil John Jefferson and The Catch, 1975 (photo treatment by DHD)