Arizona Wildcats assistant coaches Jeff Hammerschmidt and Joe Salave’a are former Wildcat players who know all about the Arizona-ASU rivalry.
Hammerschmidt’s playing career spanned from 1986 (Chuck Cecil’s 106-yard interception return) to 1990. He never lost to ASU as a player. He went 5-0 against the Devils as a full-time assistant coach (1993-1995, 2008-2009) before last season’s double-overtime loss.
Salave’a went 3-1 against ASU as a player, from 1994 to 1997. He had 3.5 sacks in the 1997 game. He returned a fumble for a touchdown in 1995. Both were UA wins.
Our Gannett partner, the Arizona Republic, talked to both Cats about the rivalry: