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ASU vs. Utah: Sun Devils Lead 31-7 At Half

By Cory Williams
Sept. 22, 2012; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky before the game against the Utah Utes at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE
Sept. 22, 2012; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky before the game against the Utah Utes at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE

I've been listening to the Utah radio broadcast over the internet. One word to describe the call? Frustration. "I'm stunned right now," was uttered by the play-by-play guy after ASU went up 21-0 in the first quarter.

The first fifteen minutes came up all Sun Devils. After Utah started the game with a failed fourth down conversion, Taylor Kelly and the Arizona State offense drove 64 yards in four quick plays, culminating in a Kelly touchdown pass to Rashad Ross.

On their next possession, the Utes went three and out and punted. Kelly found Ross once again on a great sideline catch, and Cameron Marshall pounded the ball across the line to make it 14-0 Sun Devils.

Carl Bradford, ASU's devilbacker, then caused a fumble that led to a touchdown reception from Kelly to Marion Grice. At this point, it was 21-0 Devils. All hope seemed lost for the Utes.

But wait! Kelvin York, Utah's backup running back, stepped up and ran for 63 yards on the next Utes possession, allowing quarterback Jon Hays to throw a touchdown pass to Karl Williams early in the second quarter.

ASU got back on the field and continued to cruise offensively, bringing the ball to the Utah 5 before the drive stalled. Alex Garoutte converted a field goal to make it 24-7.

What happened next? The Devils drove 70 yards in 3:48 to score another touchdown, this time a pass from Kelly to Marshall. 31-7.

Another impressive defensive effort from the Sun Devils led to yet another Utah punt. Junior Onyeali unloaded on Hays with an impressive sack.

With 1:08 remaining in the half, Todd Graham ran out Garoutte to attempt a 50-yard field goal which went wide right and was unsuccessful.

Finally, Chris Young sacked Hays to bring an end to the Utes' offensive push at the end of the half. With two quarters in the books, ASU leads 31-7.

Some stats:

  • ASU has 15 first downs... Utah has 7.
  • The Sun Devils collected 347 yards of offense in the first half, while the Utes picked up 155.
  • Taylor Kelly has 259 yards passing and three touchdown passes. That sounds like a decent final line, doesn't it?
  • Rashad Ross has 83 receiving yards. DJ Foster leads the team with 45 rushing yards.

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