House of Sparky is sharing its Top 12 Plays of Christmas series to commemorate the best moments from the Arizona State Sun Devils’ 2016 football season. Thanks for following along! You can check out each play at HouseOfSparky.com.
Our No. 1 Moment of the ASU Football Season: Kalen Ballage’s eight-touchdown performance to tie the NCAA single-game scoring record against Texas Tech.
This October, Mr. Ballage introduced himself to the college football world in a big way.
Tabbed the “Ballage Barrage” by locals, the junior running back scored eight different times to lead ASU to a 68-55 win over Texas Tech.
Again—not once, not twice, not three times—but eight times, tying an NCAA record.
He even scored six rushing touchdowns out of the same formation, also scored two other impressive touchdowns:
One on a trick play where he was on the receiving end of a 39-yard reverse pass.
Then later, a breakaway 75-yard run for his eighth total touchdown of the game.
Ballage’s scores elevated the Sun Devils to a 2-0 record. His usage in this contest (13 carries, 137 yards, 7 touchdowns; two catches, 48 yards, one touchdown) set the precedent for his touches throughout the year.
The Colorado native collected the team’s Offensive Player of the Year award at the season’s end, and figures to be a focal point in ASU’s offense once again in 2017.