ESPN's Dave Pasch gives his best memories covering Fiesta Bowl
Editor's note: This is one in an occasional series of stories sharing Fiesta Bowl memories from those who played in or covered the annual bowl game.
The Fiesta Bowl is part of college football’s prestigious New Year’s Six lineup, a list that includes the Cotton, Orange, Peach, Rose and Sugar bowls.
The Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium will be one of two College Football Playoff semifinals played on Dec. 31, along with the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta. No. 2 Michigan and No. 3 TCU will meet in Glendale at 2 p.m., followed by No. 1 Georgia and No. 4 Ohio State at 6 p.m. The winners will play in the CFP national championship at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Jan. 9. All three games will be aired on ESPN.
Dave Pasch, who calls games for both ESPN and the Cardinals, spoke to The Republic about his greatest memories covering previous Fiesta Bowls.
Q: What are the biggest draws to the Fiesta Bowl?
A: There are people from a lot of different states that live out here, some people who spend part of the year out here. It’s always a big game. There’s always two programs who’ve had great seasons, so it’s a great place to visit this time of year for numerous reasons. The weather being No. 1, and then for a lot of those schools coming from cold weather, so that’s even more of a reason to come out and spend some time in Arizona. I think, two, I’ve done Fiesta Bowls at both Sun Devil Stadium and now at State Farm Stadium, and obviously working for the Cardinals and having called games in both venues. State Farm Stadium certainly has enhanced the experience for the fan. That’s a great place to watch a game and bowl season is a fun time of year.
Q: Which teams had the most remarkable performances in the Fiesta Bowls you covered?
A: I did Oregon and Iowa State (in 2021) and then I did Penn State-Washington about five years ago when Saquon Barkley had like a (90)-yard touchdown run. From our vantage point, it’s a great view, it’s a great TV booth. You could see as soon as he hit the hole he was gone. You just knew he was an incredible athlete and one of the greatest running back, in terms of just ability, to play college football. He’s obviously having a great year in the NFL, and that’s a memory that stands out just watching him that day in an NFL stadium knowing that he’s going to be doing that to a lot of NFL teams.
Q: What do you notice from the booth the most about the crowd atmosphere and the fans coming to support their teams?
A: It’s outstanding. That’s the best thing about the bowl games is you get two teams that normally don’t play against each other and it’s a great way to finish off the season. A reward for a lot of these guys, although the College Football Playoffs’ the ultimate goal. But going to a bowl like the Fiesta Bowl is the next best thing. It’s a New Year Six bowl. And when you have a fan base like Penn State, yeah, it was rocking. The other one I did was at State Farm Stadium during the COVID year and so it was a little more subdued than it had been previously.
Then I did ESPN Radio at Sun Devil Stadium. I think it was Notre Dame-Ohio State (in January 2006). I think (the next season's Heisman winner and Ohio State alum) Troy Smith was the quarterback. Brady Quinn was at Notre Dame (as its QB). When you have those two, it’s an outdoor stadium, a little bit different and obviously the weather’s great that time of year. But there’s still something about when you have a place like State Farm Stadium and the place is full, and you’ve got a great fan base like Penn State there.
Have tips for us? Reach the reporter at dana.scott@azcentral.com or at 480-486-4721. Follow his Twitter @iam_DanaScott.
Support local journalism. Start your online subscription today.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: ESPN's Dave Pasch reflects on his best memories covering Fiesta Bowl
