8 – 0

The Arizona State Sun Devils won their eight consecutive games by beating the number 18 California Bears 31–10. ASU is in sole possession of first place in the Pac-10. The team is 4th in the BCS Poll and on its way to the national-championship hunt.

Next week, the Sun Devils play at No. 5 Oregon (7-1, 4-1). This will be their most important game since the 1997 Rose Bowl.

Again the Sun Devils put a scare in front a full stadium by getting behind 13-0, 20-7 and at halftime 20-14. But Coach Erickson has the team believing that they can overcome their opponents, which they did by outscoring the Bears 17–0 in the second half.

Tailbacks Keegan erring and Dimitri Nance combine for 181 yards rushing. The defense shut out Cal n the second half and kept the deficit manageable by forcing some field goals early.

GO DEVILS!

THANKS MARGIE AND JIM…

After big win, craziness ensues

ASU versus OSU

It looked like the Sun Devils had played lower division teams in the first three games when Oregon State started the game with nineteen points in the first quarter. That’s right, 19-0 right off the bat. Whew! It was scary. How could they ever oercome a nineteen point deficit? But that they did.

Over the next three quarters, the Sun Devils outscored the Beavers 44 points to 13 to end up with a final score of 44-32. Like the Colorado game, the Devils came out flat in the first quarter. In both games Rudy Carpenter threw an interception to set up a touchdown. However, ASU intercepted the Beavers a few times too...five as a matter of fact.

The fans are louder with fewer boos this year than last year. It is easy to get invoved in the game with this exciting team.

Jake Plummer attended the game as he was inducted into ASU’s Hall of Fame at halftime.

Thanks again to Jim and Margie for allowing me to go in their place.

Commuter rail a hot topic at Arizona Rail Symposium

Tempe, Ariz.— With a projected growth rate of 109 percent, Arizona is expected to add 5.5 million new residents by 2030—mainly in Maricopa and Pima counties. How Arizonans get around in, and between, its two biggest metropolitan areas is the topic of the second annual Arizona Rail Symposium.

Elected officials and transit professionals from around the state will discuss the growing demand for transportation options, and whether the future of Arizona commuters includes commuter rail. Experts from commuter rail systems in Salt Lake City and the Sacramento, California, area will be among the speakers.

The highlight of the conference is expected to be a commuter rail panel discussion that will include state Sen.Thayer Verschoor, Rep. Steve Farley, Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman, Pinal County Supervisor Sandie Smith, and ADOT Public Transportation Director Jim Dickey.

Commuter rail is rail service that typically uses existing freight railroad tracks and equipment. Stations are generally five to 10 miles apart and operations focus on peak-commute hours with less frequent service during off-peak hours. Commuter rail generally travels greater distances than light rail, at higher speeds.

The Second Annual AzTA Rail Symposium will be held 7:30 a.m.– 3 p.m., Sept. 28, at the Tempe Mission Palms hotel. The cost to attend the conference is $150 for AzTA members, $175 for non-members. Registration forms area available online at www.AzTA.org.

The Arizona Transit Association is a nonprofit, statewide organization dedicated to improving public transportation in all of Arizona’s communities. Membership includes local, regional and state governments; chambers of commerce, major employers, transit program operators; and contractor and suppliers.

See power point presentation at September 8 meeting.