Bordow: Carpenter overshadowed by lack of wins

For more than a year now, I've wondered why so many Arizona State fans dislike quarterback Rudy Carpenter.

Do they think he's arrogant? Selfish?

Or is their disdain born from the way he won the starting job in 2006, when then-coach Dirk Koetter first named Sam Keller the starter, then flip-flopped to Carpenter less than 48 hours later?

But as I was reviewing Carpenter's career record Monday, it hit me:

He didn't win enough football games.

All of the criticism leveled at Carpenter - all of it - would be muted had ASU been more successful. Then, he'd be seen as competitive and fiery.

Instead, in his 42 career starts, the Sun Devils are 26-16. And in those four years, ASU has had just one outstanding season, going 10-3 in 2007 and playing in the Holiday Bowl.

That won't get a quarterback benched. But it won't win any hearts, either.

"No matter what anyone says, I've done a lot of (good) things here," Carpenter said.

Carpenter's personality isn't much different from a lot of his peers.

Does he want to get his own way? Absolutely. Does he let his temper get the best of him at times? No question.

But the same could be said of Jake Plummer. The difference: Plummer came within 100 seconds of leading ASU to a national championship, so he'll forever be beloved in Tempe.

Now, I'm not suggesting that Carpenter is as talented as Plummer or has had as successful a college career. Clearly, that's not the case.

But as his career winds to a close - Saturday's game at Arizona could be his last - it would be wise to remember what Carpenter has been through.

He's played for two head coaches in two offensive systems. He's battled a myriad of injuries, from torn ligaments in his thumb to a broken ankle. And he's played behind offensive lines that got him hit more often than 11 at a blackjack table.

Yet he'll start his 43rd straight game Saturday, he's 3-0 against UA, he's led ASU to three straight bowl appearances and his name is all over the ASU record books.

That's not chopped liver.

"He's had ups and downs in his career, like we all have," coach Dennis Erickson said. "He's had successes and games where he wasn't as good as he wanted to be. But he loves Arizona State and he's given everything he has to Arizona State.

"Forty-two straight starts. That's a lot of darned games, as much as we throw the football, to hang in there through some good times and bad times. To me, it says a lot about his character."

I won't disagree with those who question Carpenter's arm strength. This past Saturday, he failed to get enough air on a deep pass to Nate Kimbrough, resulting in an interception. There have been too many of those throws over the years.

But few were upset about Carpenter's arm last season, when the Sun Devils won 10 games.

As for the criticism that Carpenter plays poorly in big games, well, look it up. Against Oregon, Texas and USC last year, he completed 61 of 103 passes (59.2 percent) for 806 yards, with five touchdowns and three interceptions.

And that's while running for his life on nearly every play.

Also, in his last two starts against Arizona - that is considered a big game, right? - he's 37-for-62 (59.6 percent) for 461 yards, with five touchdowns and one interception.

In retrospect, the perception of Carpenter was tainted by his incredible performance as a redshirt freshman in 2005, when he relieved an injured Keller and proceeded to lead the nation in pass efficiency.

ASU fans thought they had discovered their next great quarterback, and talk of Rose Bowls commenced.

Instead, Carpenter hasn't lived up to that promise and ASU has been relegated to, with the exception of the Holiday Bowl, second-tier bowl games.

Carpenter has trouble believing that his college career is nearing its conclusion. He admits that there were times he thought it would never end, but now that it's here, "I look back and I kind of feel, 'Where did all the time go? Where did all these games go?'"

He wants to play in the NFL next year - at best, he's a second-day draft pick - but if that doesn't work out, he has a backup plan.

"I'm sure I can find a job," he said.

For now, though, there's one more rivalry game to play, one more chance to beat the Wildcats and, perhaps, leave ASU fans with more pleasant memories of No. 12.

"I don't have any regrets," Carpenter said. "I graduated, I think I was a good citizen here, regardless of what some people say. I won a lot of games, I put up a lot of numbers.

"What else am I supposed to do?"

Part of history

Rudy Carpenter's career numbers rank among the top quarterbacks in ASU history:

Completions 786 (1st)

Touchdown passes 80* (2nd)

Passing yards 10,367** (2nd)

Wins 26 (tied 2nd)

* - Carpenter's touchdown total ranks third in Pac-10 history, trailing former Sun Devil Andrew Walter (85) for second place

** - Carpenter's yardage total ranks eighth in Pac-10 history, trailing Walter by 250 yards for seventh place