ASU Football: '12 Plays of Christmas' No. 10: Raymond Epps' clutch touchdown catch against Cal

The Arizona State Sun Devils carried all of the offense in the first half of the Nov. 28 matchup against Cal. Quarterback Mike Bercovici was connecting on the long ball to Devin Lucien, who led the offensive effort on the night, as well as was able to work the slot and connect for quick yardage.

However, despite the 27-10 lead the Sun Devils took into the locker room at halftime, the Golden Bears' offense put together five scoring drives that resulted in touchdowns, while ASU would answer each with only a field goal in the scond half.

ASU's second-half demise would ultimately result in a demoralizing loss for the Sun Devils on a walk-off field goal to put Cal up over the Sun Devils 48-46 to win the game.

The only touchdown ASU was able to put together in the second half in the losing effort was in the most crucial moment of the game by redshirt sophomore and junior college transfer tight end Raymond Epps.

Play No. 10: Raymond Epps' touchdown catch vs. Cal

On second-and-goal, down 45-39 with 2:41 left to play in regulation and Epps lined up on the far end of the formation, center Nick Kelly snapped the ball to Bercovici who, in a matter of seconds was facing a collapsing pocket but in Ben Roethlisberger-fashion scrambled to avoid the sack and found Epps who had cut inside and rolled back out to get open.

However, once Cal cornerback Cedric Dozier recognized the wide-open Epps with the football about four yards outside of his end zone, he bolted forward, diving for Epps' knees but the 6-foot-5, 235-pound tight end shook him off and punched it into the end zone to give ASU the one-point lead with 2:35 left to play.

While the ASU defense could not finish the job on the next drive, fans were able to see a young man in his first year at ASU make a huge play in a moment of quiet desperation for the team, which, despite the loss, can console the demoralized heart with a bit of hope for ASU's future with this bulky and talented tight end.

Video Courtesy Pac-12 Networks (play starts at the 2:05 mark)