Arizona State's trip to London evokes memories of football in Tokyo

LONDON — One of the most memorable games in Arizona State football history came against Houston in 1990.

The highlight of that game, played in Tokyo, was a record-setting performance by Houston quarterback David Klingler, who threw for 716 yards and seven touchdowns. Paul Justin, the quarterback for ASU, threw for 474 yards. Houston won the game, then known as the Coca-Cola Classic, 62-45, and traditionally played in December after the regular season.

That annual showcase was played from 1977 to 1993, originally named the Mirage Bowl.

On Sept. 19, Coach Kenny Dillingham's Sun Devils (1-1) will face off against Kansas (1-1) at Wembley Stadium in London. This marks the longest road trip for ASU since that contest in which Klinger set a then-NCAA record.

Will this game, the Big 12 Conference opener for both teams, be just as memorable? Time will tell.

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Tim Healey, the radio voice of the Sun Devils for the last 29 years, was on that trip in a different capacity. He didn't get the radio job until 1998, but he was the television play-by-play man for football and men's basketball games that aired on Channel 3.

Although that game was not televised, Healey still made the trip to Tokyo and recorded features all week for later use. He remembers it well. One thing of note: both teams flew on the same charter out of Los Angeles, something that would never happen nowadays.

"(Houston) had this run-and-shoot offense and just put up video game-like numbers," Healey said. "It was just crazy. We actually put up some really good numbers too, but we just couldn't quite keep up."

That trip to Tokyo and the current trip to London mark his only football endeavors outside the U.S.

Unlike the team, Healey actually returned to Arizona after the Texas A&M game, and flew back out on Tuesday, Sept. 15, with wife, Margie, arriving in London the next day.

He gives much of the credit for the preparation of the broadcast to producer Shawn Crespin, who is considered "essential personnel" and was on the team charter from Dallas to London.

Crespin had to weigh, label, and note the serial numbers of the equipment for documentation that comes with transporting products into a foreign country. Only the essentials were brought to London.

The team set up for the broadcast at the stadium on Friday, Sept. 18.

"The biggest thing was the conversion and making sure we were good there," Crespin said. "You connect with the venue, connect with the IT staff, and make sure you have everything you need. We've been working with them for months, so we were pretty well prepared."

This will be the first FBS game played on British soil. It is ASU's first game outside the continental United States since the 2006 Hawai'i Bowl and its second game outside the United States.

ASU also has a unique distinction in playing back-to-back road games, with one in an international setting. Arizona State is the first FBS team to play a true road game one week followed by an international game seven days later since Navy in 1996.

Healey expects the game to be right up there in his most memorable experiences.

"This is a forever thing. ASU and Kansas are playing the first game of college football in an iconic venue," he said. "American football has gotten more popular with all the NFL games being played over there. This is one of the most iconic venues in the world.

"I've gotten into Ted Lasso, and that gives you an idea of how the country views its 'football' and how passionate they are about it. Without question, it's going to be a memorable moment for the players and coaches, and all of us associated with this program."