Spooky things happened Saturday night when the Football Gods returned to Sun Devil Stadium in a blaze of esoteric glory not seen since Saint John the Revelator was exiled to the Isle of Patmos.
Most fans were too focused on the frenzied play of ASU senior linebacker Josh Amobi to worry about the profundity of the Gods' message, which was delivered through the repetitions of the number 46.
Forty-six? Thanksgiving is 46 days from today. According to the Gods, you should contact your bookie that day, which will be the eve of a slaughter of unholy proportions.
The Sun Devils are scheduled to travel to Tucson on Nov. 29 to face archrival UA. The day before, it would behoove you to go on blind faith and pick ASU to stomp the Wildcats like roaches in a garage. Forget the spread, it will prove irrelevant.
Why the number 46, though? Simple. In 1946, the Sun Devils endured, perhaps, the most humiliating defeat in their 105-year existence when losing 67-0 at UA.
Even last season's embarrassing loss and subsequent riot, in which UA junior halfback Clarence Farmer danced a jig on the Sparky logo at midfield, pales in comparison to the flogging of 1946.
Senior place-kicker Mike Barth's 46-yard field goal at the end of the fourth quarter Saturday was ASU's first step toward redemption for that despicable loss 56 years ago. All of Oregon State's nine points came from field goals converted by junior place-kicker Kirk Yliniemi, who wears No. 46.
It's odd enough that a kicker wears a number higher than 10, but what's even more odd is the fact that the game's only touchdown was scored by freshman tailback Hakim Hill on a 46-yard reception from sophomore quarterback Andrew Walter.
It would seem like madness if UCLA senior place-kicker Chris Griffith hadn't botched a 46-yard field goal to keep Oregon unbeaten and tied with ASU for second place in the Pac-10. The Ducks, too, are blessed.
Higher powers were clearly at work Saturday. Jesus, Mohammad and most Zoroastrian priests do not condone gambling on football. But the Football Gods are different.
The Wildcats are undoubtedly doomed next month. Bet on it 46 days from now.
Reach the reporter at michael.ferraresi@asu.edu.
