Davon Coleman's journey to the end zone

They are the ten most sacred yards in American sports - the end zone. The culmination of a team's struggle and hard work comes to fruition as soon as the ball breaks the plane. Cheers, high fives and fireworks ensue. Touchdown.

Senior defensive lineman Davon Coleman knows the feeling.

Early in the second quarter of Saturday night's game against Colorado, the Sun Devils drove down the field. Quarterback Taylor Kelly hit wide receiver Cameron Smith on a 47-yard pass, which brought the team to the one-yard line.

Enter Coleman.

The 6-foot-2, 276-pound lineman strapped on his helmet and ran onto the field. Coleman had no receptions in his Sun Devil career, but this was his chance to change that.

"All I could think was just catch the ball," Coleman said. "Catch it, tuck it, see it in and score."

Coleman lined up in the fullback position, and he knew there was a possibility that the ball was going to him.

"I don't know if it's planned to go to me, I don't know his (Kelly's) reads. I just know it's me, the tight end, and another wide receiver," Coleman said. "We work on that play a lot."

The ball is snapped and Kelly rolls out to his right. Coleman sprints past Colorado linemen, and rolls out as a dump off option for Kelly. In an instant, he is open. In an instant, the ball is thrown to him. In an instant, he catches the ball. Fireworks.

"It was amazing," Coleman said. "It was a hassle to plan, but once I caught it, it was just so surreal. I was just stuck in the moment."

Head coach Todd Graham praised Coleman's skill after the game.

"Davon is a very, very, talented individual. He is a very, very good fullback who has great hands," Graham said.

For some players, touchdowns are expected every week. Running back Marion Grice leads the nation with 15 touchdowns on the year. However, for players like Coleman, the opportunity to break the plane is rare.

"I had a chance last year, and that didn't work out in my favor," Coleman said. "I'm glad they gave me another chance."