ASU Football ‘12 Plays of Christmas’: Manny Wilkins hurdling touchdown against UCLA

Arizona State’s second touchdown against UCLA was an unconventional play, but one that Sun Devil fans had seen frequently.

Quarterback Manny Wilkins broke away and hurdled over a diving UCLA’s Mossi Johnson on a 16-yard run to give the Sun Devils the 21-14 lead.

Simply looking at the play is exciting, but to understand how Wilkins leapt in for the score is to look at how the hurdle worked. Seeing no options, Wilkins found a hole right up the middle. He dashed forward for about 12 yards. Eyeing Johnson, Wilkins knew he was going to go for a low-leg tackle.

Wilkins then planted his right leg firmly on the Rose Bowl’s turf, swung the other across Johnson’s back, then took an in-air hit and fell into the end zone.

Sun Devil fans have seen hurdles from Wilkins before, but his leap against UCLA was the only time it counted for a touchdown.

There’s no question that it’s tough to do but Wilkins defied expectations — and gravity — as ASU’s quarterback in 2017.