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Lightning jolts ASU plane ride

By Compiled from Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published October 24, 2000

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Arizona State team was watching a movie when the plane carrying it home after a game was hit twice by lightning. No one aboard will ever forget the title: Gone in 60 Seconds.

"I didn't know if that was an omen or not," coach Bruce Snyder said Monday about the terror that gripped passengers. "We had people white-knuckled, believe me. Some were praying, some were teary-eyed. When we landed, there was huge applause within the cabin."

The team was returning Saturday night after its 23-20 overtime victory at Washington State. Over Camp Verde, about 60 miles north of Phoenix, two bolts hit the America West charter jet.

The first struck a wing tip and bathed the plane in a flash of white light, knocking out the movie and lights. Snyder, who had a window seat, saw "a huge brightness" and felt the plane rock.

The next hit, about 10 minutes later, was accompanied by a blue-orange glow, and Snyder said the plane shifted direction.

Besides the 60 players aboard, the passengers also included athletic director Gene Smith, the coaching staff and members of the media.

"I think everybody was fearing for their life," tight end Todd Heap told the Arizona Republic. "I had a flashback or two to things I had done in my life."

Snyder called one flight attendant, who walked the aisle of the darkened aircraft smiling and joking, "a trooper." Another flight attendant broke down and had to be consoled.

MICHIGAN STATE: The Big Ten's supervisor of officials told the school that a bad call was made on a pivotal play during Michigan's 14-0 victory Saturday. Coach Bobby Williams said after the game that the Wolverines did not legally recover T.J. Duckett's fumble at Michigan's 8 midway through the third quarter, when the Wolverines were ahead 7-0. Dave Parry, the conference official, validated Williams' claim during a phone conversation.

ALABAMA: Cornerback Milo Lewis didn't grow up hearing about the school's rich tradition. The California native grew up 2,000 miles away from Tuscaloosa, but he knows this team isn't living up to its history. "Tradition at Alabama should make you play hard enough," said Lewis, who has suddenly become the voice of the Crimson Tide. Lewis delivered his message loud and clear after the Tide lost Saturday.

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Gary Shelton