Union Jack Classic fails to spark on the pitch but electric atmosphere fires up Wembley
The Arizona State Sun Devils cantered to victory in the first ever Union Jack Classic in front of a noisy crowd – despite thousands of empty seats
TL;DR
- The first US college football game in Britain in nearly 40 years took place at Wembley Stadium.
- The marching bands from Arizona State Sun Devils and Kansas Jayhawks provided a high-energy atmosphere throughout the event.
- The Arizona State Sun Devils defeated the Kansas Jayhawks 24-17 in a game that was not as close as the scoreline suggested.
- Key moments in the game included a 72-yard punt return, a 25-yard touchdown pass, and a 100-yard kick-off return.
- The attendance of 46,532 was lower than the organizers' target of 60,000, with the upper tier of Wembley being noticeably empty.
- The event was part of the Big 12 conference's strategy for international brand-building and attracting students to their overseas campuses.
- The Big 12 commissioner expressed confidence in holding future games in Europe.
- Arizona State's coach highlighted the positive impact of the London experience on his players and their families.