ASU vs. UCLA: Instant Recap

Arizona State kicker Zane Gonzalez broke the NCAA all-time career field goals record and the Sun Devils defeated the UCLA Bruins, 23-20, on Saturday in Sun Devil Stadium.

Each team was forced to look to its bench at quarterback.

UCLA (3-3, 1-2 in Pac-12) briefly lost its starter, Josh Rosen, to a right leg injury in the second quarter before he returned in the third. He later injured his wrist in the fourth quarter with 3:15 remaining before leaving the contest.

ASU (5-1, 2-1) lost its starter, Brady White (who was making his first career start), to a right foot injury early in the fourth quarter. He was replaced by freshman Dillon Sterling-Cole, who threw an interception in his lone pass attempt of the contest.

Despite completing only 8 of 21 for 44 yards and an interception in the first half, White left the game on roll, completing 19 of 36 passes for 179 yards, including one touchdown and one interception.

The performance of the special teams units also played an influential role in the outcome, as Gonzalez connected on each of his three attempts, while UCLA kicker JJ Molson made two of his attempts, but also missed two.

Gonzalez broke the all-time career field goals made record with a 46-yard attempt to put ASU ahead 23-13 with 8:29 left in the third quarter. The kick broke former Florida State kicker Dustin Hopkins record, which was previously set at 88.

Offensively, ASU only managed to reach the end zone twice on a five-yard rush by Demario Richard (15 rushes, 62 yards, one touchdown) and a 14-yard completion from White to N’Keal Harry (three catches, 38 yards, one touchdown).

Tim White finished with a game-high 11 receptions for 123 yards.

The Sun Devils defense performed well, despite losing cornerback Kareem Orr to injury during the first half.

The group came into the matchup as the team’s most questioned unit.

The ASU defense was stout against the run as UCLA finished with -1 total rushing yards on 23 attempts. The pass defense, despite conceding over 400 yards, was also impressive, tallying two breakups and two interceptions (De’Chavon Hayes, Marcus Ball).

Altogether, the Sun Devils forced three turnovers, including a fumble in the first quarter recovered by JoJo Wicker.

The pass rush was also effective, hounding the Bruins quarterbacks throughout the night, racking up five sacks. It was especially true on UCLA’s final drive, as it sacked Bruins backup quarterback Mike Fafaul twice to help seal the game (DJ Calhoun and Tashon Smallwood; Koron Crump).

Ball, who manned the bandit position spot for the Sun Devils during the game, finished with 10 tackles and had a sizable impact, imposing his will from the secondary.

Next up for the Sun Devils is a matchup with the No. 21-ranked Colorado Buffaloes on the road next weekend.