Sun Devils Get a Monstrous Welcome

Jake Plummer, the Arizona State quarterback, stepped off a chartered jet at Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday afternoon and handed the media the almost traditional cliche--that his team would be focused for its Rose Bowl date with Ohio State.

He said the 11-0 Sun Devils wouldn’t be distracted on their mission by anything, and that includes Frankenstein.

A 7-foot-3 costumed Frankenstein, sent by Universal Studios to greet the team, stood nearby, nodding sagely at Plummer’s comments.

“Coach [Bruce] Snyder told us he wants us to have focused, hard practices but to also have some fun,” Plummer said.

Said Snyder: “This team was ready to play every time out this season. I’m not worried about these guys.”

Then he turned round to see Frankenstein behind him. Snyder reached up, put a hand on his shoulder, and asked: “Is this an Ohio State guy?”

The Sun Devils begin practicing at Citrus College this morning. Workouts are closed to the public.

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The Arizona State sports information office says the team has been getting better play in Southern California newspapers than in Phoenix.

Reason: The Sun Devils were competing for sports section space with Penn State and Texas, in Tempe for the Fiesta Bowl.