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ASU vs. Notre Dame: Sun Devils, Fighting Irish scoreless after one quarter

The highly anticipated Shamrock Series matchup is underway and neither team has found the end zone just yet.

Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

It started out as the battle of Nike and Adidas, and has slowly morphed into an exciting game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

After one quarter from AT&T Stadium, the Fighting Irish and Sun Devils are locked in a scoreless tie after Notre Dame dominated the time of possession but failed to put points on the board.

On the first drive of the game, Notre Dame converted a third down and 12 when Tommy Rees found DaVaris Daniels on a dig route across the middle. The Irish marched up to their own 48-yard line before facing a 4th down and one situation. Backup quarterback Andrew Hendrix entered the game and picked up just enough to keep the drive alive.

The Irish picked up two more first downs before stalling on the Sun Devil 21-yard line. Notre Dame kicker Kyle Brindza came on to attempt a 38-yarder and didn't come close as his kick sailed wide to the left. Though Arizona State's rushing defense looked suspect on its first drive, Notre Dame didn't show the big play potential that USC did last week. The 8:08 drive was the longest Irish drive of the season.

Taylor Kelly led the Sun Devils onto the field for their first drive of the game and hit D.J. Foster on two short completions to start the drive. On third and short, the Fighting Irish stopped Marion Grice two chain links short of a first down and forced the Sun Devils into their most uncomfortable situation: punting.

The Irish took over after a frustrating 31-yard effort from Matt Haack and the Irish converted another third down to begin the drive. After crossing midfield, the Irish drive came to an end when Tommy Rees overthrew a receiver on third and five and Notre Dame was forced to punt.

Kelly found D.J. Foster, Chris Coyle, and Jaelen Strong to push the ball inside the Irish 40-yard line. On third and 11, Notre Dame was called for pass interference which put the Sun Devils inside the 25-yard line. Notre Dame dominated time of possession in the first quarter, but Arizona State will begin the second frame with an opportunity to put the ball in the end zone and score first for the 15th time in 18 games under Todd Graham.