:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46397500/usa-today-8303596.0.jpg)
Next week House of Sparky will begin our "#SunDevilMoments" tournament, with the 16 best moments from the athletic season. This week we will randomly introduce all 16 moments, then reveal our seedings and match-ups next week, where you, the reader, will vote on what was the ASU athletics Moment of the Year.
It was one of the biggest games being played at Sun Devil Stadium in a long time. Thousands filled the stands and dozens of high level recruits filled the sidelines to watch at battle of top 10 teams in the desert. It was No. 10 Notre Dame and No. 9 Arizona State in a crucial non-conference battle.
After allowing an early field goal, the Sun Devils exploded for 34 straight points in the first half. Taylor Kelly threw two touchdown passes and Damarious Randall intercepted an Everett Golson pass and returned it 59 yards for a touchdown, leading ASU to a 34-10 lead into halftime.
The wheels fell off a bit early in the second half, as the Fighting Irish scored 21 straight points to pull within 34-31 with just over six minutes to play. ASU responded with a five-play, 75-yard drive in just over two minutes, capped by a Demario Richard 4-yard touchdown reception to give ASU a 41-31 left.
With the Irish driving to try to close the gap, Lloyd Carrington picked off Golson and returned it 58 yards for a touchdown. The Sun Devils added a late score and won the game by a final score of 55-31.
D.J. Foster finished with one of his best days on the ground, carrying the football 21 times for 120 yards. Taylor Kelly went 17/28 for 224 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. The swarming Sun Devil defense forced five turnovers and scored two touchdowns of their own.
The victory over Notre Dame was ASU's signature victory last year and propelled ASU to No. 6 in the College Football Playoff Poll when it was released on November 11 of last year.
We saw this moment as the No. 2 moment of the ASU athletic season. It will be up the readers, beginning next week, to see how far this moment goes in our bracket.