Welcome back to NCAA Football 13 Chronicles! When our Arizona State standout Shooter Sillings last left us he had just made the decision to return to ASU for his junior season. The team was sitting at 2-2 and they appeared to be coming together at the right time. Or so we thought. Shooter got a little antsy and decided to play out the rest of the season so we’ll give you the necessary updates.
At UConn
This was an all-around bad game. The Sun Devils were hanging around at the end but took the loss 30-21. To a UConn team that was ranked the next week, I should add.
2-3
At USC
This is where the team’s aggressive mediocracy really began to shine. Shooter was playing a flawless game. The game was tied late in the 4th quarter. ASU is driving and reach a third and goal on the USC 2 yard line. Any normal head coach would run a halfback dive right up the middle and see where it got him. But, Shooter isn’t coached by a normal head coach. He benched both running backs. Not because of injury, but just for the sake of making things difficult I guess.
Replacing the running backs was a right end whose name I don’t know. I’m going to call him Brick Waller because he has absolute bricks for hands. On third down, Shooter calls for easy curl routes all around except for Waller who is running two yards into the endzone and cutting out left. He was wide open and drops the ball. No huddle is called. Same play. Drops it again. Turnover on downs, USC scores, ASU is now down seven. Feeling like he can’t trust his teammates, Shooter tries to take the final minute into his own hands and in true Shooter, fashion throws a pick-six to seal the game on the first play of what would’ve been a game-tying drive. Final score USC 34 ASU 20.
2-4
Washington
Lost 14-38
2-5
Utah
Shooter plays a much needed flawless game to move the Sun Devils to 3-5 and keep their bowl hopes alive. Final Score ASU 32 Utah 21
3-5
At Oregon State
This game felt like a must-win. Coming off the big win against Utah, the boys traveled to Oregon State to take on the Beavers. It has been well established that Shooter is almost never out of the game. This time he came through and led a go-ahead touchdown drive leaving 40 seconds on the clock and a 28-25 lead on the scoreboard. Unfortunately, the aggressively mediocre Sun Devil defense let Oregon State march down the field in 40 seconds and score a walk-off touchdown. Beavers 31 Sun Devils 28
3-6
UCLA and WSU
These two games are a blur. Close games with a million interceptions late, both ending in losses.
UCLA 38 ASU 28
WSU 42 ASU 32
3-8
#11 Arizona (10-1)
Everyone remembers Shooters historic second-half comeback against Arizona last season. Apparently Arizona remembered it too well because after that they decided to get good. The original goal for this season according to play by play and color commentator Bryce Hopwood was to win four games. The road to four wins would have to go through #11 Arizona.
Showing up for big games is just what Shooter does. We can’t speak for the rest of the team, but if it’s a big game, you know Shooter is going to bring his best. That is exactly what he did. It was a classic back and forth battle between the two rivals. It all came down to the final drive of the fourth quarter once again. Shooter was leading yet another, improbable game-winning drive against Arizona.
Tie game, 40 seconds left, ball on the Arizona 20 yard line. It’s a simple slant route with both receivers in the slot running screens to the outside. A play that many would call Shooters bread and butter. Shooter steps back in the pocket. The slants are always the go-to here and it’s open 11 times out of 10 but for some reason he looked out right to the screen. Pick six. Game over. Arizona 35 Arizona State 28.
3-9
Junior year recap
If anything this year showed the aggressive mediocracy of this team better than either of the previous two seasons. Two dropped passes by a right end and a 40-second game-winning touchdown drive took away hard-earned wins for Shooter. A bowl appearance was well within reach and it just didn’t happen. He will be back stronger for his senior year. Ready to embark on the #HeismanHarri campaign.
Final junior year stats. 192-318 passing for 39 touchdowns 34 interceptions (thanks to the UCLA and WSU games) and 3949 yards (4th in NCAA). On the ground, he ran 120 times for 561 yards, four touchdowns, and five fumbles. He also broke the NCAA football 13 record for the longest touchdown pass for the fourth time. This one was 99 yards.
Follow along with NCAA Football 13 Chronicles @twitch_35 and @StudentUSports on Twitter as we get ready for the senior year #HeismanHarri campaign.