House of Sparky - Arizona State vs. Wisconsin: Complete Game Coverage Fluently Speaking Victoryhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47079/fave.png2013-09-19T15:15:09-07:00http://www.houseofsparky.com/rss/stream/44703292013-09-19T15:15:09-07:002013-09-19T15:15:09-07:00ASU vs. Stanford: Sun Devils ready to hit the road
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<figcaption>Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Todd Graham knows the Sun Devils need to play mistake-free to beat Stanford.</p> <p>Pundits are breaking down the intricacies of the Arizona State vs. Stanford matchup, but coach Todd Graham believes the turnover battle will decide the outcome. Graham consistently praised Stanford's mental discipline and mistake free approach after Thursday's practice.</p>
<p>"Very simple plan, we've got to take care of the football," Graham said. "They've (Stanford) had 26 straight games that they've caused the other team to turn the football over. The key to us winning the game is 100 percent ball security."</p>
<p>Graham also thinks the more physical team will prevail. Outmuscling Stanford may seem unlikely yet it's vital for the Sun Devils. The battle in the trenches should be very heated as All-American Will Sutton takes on All-American guard <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113807/david-yankey" class="sbn-auto-link">David Yankey</a>.</p>
<p>Despite the hard work and preparation throughout the week, Graham can never be sure his team is ready to play. Graham mentioned the intensity level surrounding practice continues to improve daily.</p>
<p>"These guys have learned how to prepare, we prepare well," Graham said. "It's (preparation) not to my satisfaction, but we are getting there. That'll take years to get it to where I want it to be. I feel really good about where our guys are."</p>
<p>There will be plenty of predictions surrounding the ASU-Stanford game, the sole encounter between AP top 25 opponents in week four. From Graham's perspective, we could in for a nail bitter.</p>
<p>"I believe this game will come down to a series. May be one down, may be 12 inches, so it's every down and and every play," Graham said.</p>
<p>Slowing down the Cardinal's powerful rushing attack will be ASU's top priority on the defensive side of the ball. According to Graham, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/112775/carl-bradford" class="sbn-auto-link">Carl Bradford's</a> improvement at stopping the run should play a pivotal role. Bradford drew compliments from Graham because he "dominated the tight ends last week against Wisconsin."</p>
<p>Despite the glaring differences in scheme, Graham and Stanford coach David Shaw both harp on discipline. Meanwhile, the Sun Devils are still searching for their own identity, as the Cardinal are notorious for imposing their will on opponents.</p>
<p>"Their team isn't going to penalized very much, they are not going to beat themselves, not going to turn the football over. They play hard nose defense and run the football and play action pass," Graham on Stanford's foundation. "So if you asked me when I first got here to describe what kind of team I wanted, that's it. They are the champions and deserve the respect."</p>
<p><b>Other practice notes</b></p>
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<li><span>True freshman reserve linebackers, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/207149/chans-cox" class="sbn-auto-link">Chans Cox</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/207173/alani-latu" class="sbn-auto-link">Alani Latu</a> donned the green no contact jersey. Cox hurt his arm during position drills on Wednesday, while Latu appears to be nursing an ankle injury.</span></li>
<li><span>Todd Graham will not change any of his road rituals from last season.</span></li>
<li><span>"The team walk is all about visualization. I want them to visualize the people who've came before them and the price they paid. Who put you here?" Graham said. "The last 50 yards I want them to visualize what they are going to do to honor that. Our former players do the walk with them."</span></li>
<li><span>6-foot-6 261-pound Stanford linebacker, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77880/trent-murphy" class="sbn-auto-link">Trent Murphy</a>, garnered praise from Graham. Murphy is from Arizona and played high school football at Brophy. "He plays the same position that Carl Bradford plays. Athleticism, very smart, grant instinct, great pass rusher, very physical on the edge." Graham said. </span></li>
<li><span>Advice for Graham: He told us he doesn't want to say "more special" because it's grammatically incorrect. Who can help him out?</span></li>
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https://www.houseofsparky.com/2013/9/19/4749430/asu-vs-stanford-pac-12-football-game-dayBen Haber2013-09-16T14:54:23-07:002013-09-16T14:54:23-07:00Todd Graham: "I firmly believe the best team won."
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<figcaption>We can appreciate the dazed look, Todd. | Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Nobody likes when the referees interfere with the outcome of the game. But if you ask Todd Graham, he'll tell you the team that was most deserving of the win received it. </p> <p>Much like the rest of college football, Arizona State head coach Todd Graham has now had time to over-analyze the bizarre finish to Saturday's 32-30 win over the visiting <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/wisconsin-badgers">Wisconsin Badgers</a>. And while he's no longer holding on to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.houseofsparky.com/2013/9/15/4732306/asu-vs-wisconsin-ending-last-play-ap-poll">his original fumble theory,</a> Graham still feels that the rightful team walked away with the "W."</p>
<p>"I firmly believe the best team won that game," Graham said at Monday's weekly press conference.</p>
<p>That being said, Graham is the first to acknowledge that Saturday's ending was far from ideal. That's probably why Graham "fully expected" the statement the Pac-12 released Monday:</p>
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<p>"This was an unusual situation to end the game," said Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott. "After a thorough review, we have determined that the officials fell short of the high standard in which Pac-12 games should be managed. We will continue to work with all our officials to ensure this type of situation never occurs again."</p>
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<p>"Unusual" was a sentiment echoed by Graham Monday.</p>
<p>"Obviously that was a very unusual deal," Graham said. "On one copy, it looks like [Joel Stave's] knee hit the ground to but on the other one I couldn't really tell."</p>
<p>Perhaps that, or the fact that his team walked away victorious, is the reason he's so understanding to the officials' plight.</p>
<p>"I knew exactly what happened [from their perspective]," Graham said. "There's a human element to this game...Even I was hollering to get on the ball."</p>
<p>Although it's difficult to disregard one of the strangest endings in the history of the sport, Graham remains a man of the present. And what lies ahead this Saturday is the greatest challenge the Devils will face all year: a visit to the No. 5 ranked <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/stanford-cardinal">Stanford Cardinal</a>.</p>
<p>"This team that we're playing this weekend is the defending Pac-12 champion," Graham said. "And we're the contender."</p>
https://www.houseofsparky.com/2013/9/16/4738230/wisconsin-arizona-state-todd-grahamCody Ulm2013-09-16T13:00:04-07:002013-09-16T13:00:04-07:00The last 18 seconds through the eyes of Twitter
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<img alt="Confusion is abound as Will Sutton realizes ASU has won the game." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fSkmkwrq1ZVVyXNwv6b12l-hcxI=/0x6:4000x2673/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/19588415/180615748.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Confusion is abound as Will Sutton realizes ASU has won the game. | Christian Petersen</figcaption>
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<p>See what the big wigs from local and national publications have to say about Saturday's chaos as we attempt to clear it all up.</p> <p>Incredible, improbable, unreal, insane. Whatever adjectives you use to describe it, Arizona State's victory in the last 18 seconds Saturday night against Wisconsin is something that never has and probably never will be seen again in a college football game. Check out some of the tweets that came across in the reaction to the end of the game.</p>
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<p>ASU wins! Clock ran down. Wisconsin thought clock had stopped!</p>
— House of Sparky (@HouseOfSparky) <a href="https://twitter.com/HouseOfSparky/statuses/379124576854102018">September 15, 2013</a>
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<p>It's all over, the referees ran off the field after this without giving much of an explanation, ASU wins 32-30.</p>
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<p>Great team win!! <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23GoDevils&src=hash">#GoDevils</a> 2-0</p>
— CBE (@CarlBradford52) <a href="https://twitter.com/CarlBradford52/statuses/379146384416325632">September 15, 2013</a>
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<p>Here's the facts: Stave took a knee and whistle blew with 15 seconds left. Anything after that is incompetence by the officials. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Badgers&src=hash">#Badgers</a></p>
— Tom Oates (@TomOatesWSJ) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomOatesWSJ/statuses/379172639123574784">September 15, 2013</a>
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<p>Fine, you know what? He kneeled the ball. However he should have given the ball to the referee right then and there. Instead he placed the ball himself which understandably flustered the officials.</p>
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<p>Stave’s knee never hit the ground… he just placed it there. It’s a fumble.</p>
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) <a href="https://twitter.com/BryanDFischer/statuses/379126227891519488">September 15, 2013</a>
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<p>This is the other side of the argument. Arizona State fell on the ball but the play was already blown dead so it technically should have been a delay of game penalty.
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<p>Raise your hand if you had this one ending with a botched downing the ball/possible fumble/time running out play.</p>
— Doug Haller (@DougHaller) <a href="https://twitter.com/DougHaller/statuses/379128898920787969">September 15, 2013</a>
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<p>*Keeps hand down* with everyone else in the entire country.
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<p>Unbelievable.</p>
— Badger Football (@BadgerFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/BadgerFootball/statuses/379125081579876352">September 15, 2013</a>
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<p>The official Wisconsin football twitter account is speechless.
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<p>You need to watch the final seconds of the Wisconsin-Arizona State game. <a href="http://t.co/r07EzMuLRY">http://t.co/r07EzMuLRY</a> Wow.</p>
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/Buster_ESPN/statuses/379216344882753537">September 15, 2013</a>
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<p>Even ESPN baseball insider Buster Olney switched sports momentarily.
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<p>I've watched the end of Wisconsin-Arizona State and remain confused. Also, dumb Wisky. Dumb refs. <a href="http://t.co/wV6OcU48mw">http://t.co/wV6OcU48mw</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/thebiglead">@thebiglead</a></p>
— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) <a href="https://twitter.com/jasonrmcintyre/statuses/379215341874081794">September 15, 2013</a>
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<p>McIntyre echoes most people here. Still confused and believe fault lies equally with referees and the Badgers
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<p>Players pointing to clock, Ref giving stiff arm to them. Doesn't make sense <a href="http://t.co/aN4uId8gTC">pic.twitter.com/aN4uId8gTC</a></p>
— <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/161713/mike-hall" class="sbn-auto-link">Mike Hall</a> (@BTNMikeHall) <a href="https://twitter.com/BTNMikeHall/statuses/379135139093028864">September 15, 2013</a>
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<p>Just chaos, no way to explain it for the time being at least.
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<p>What a bizarre ending to a GREAT game between Wisconsin and Arizona State. Refs blew it but will they be held accountable?</p>
— <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113213/desmond-howard" class="sbn-auto-link">Desmond Howard</a> (@DesmondHoward) <a href="https://twitter.com/DesmondHoward/statuses/379125320273494016">September 15, 2013</a>
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<p>How can anyone believe that was a fumble or that the officials thought it was a fumble? Sweet geezus. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Badgers&src=hash">#Badgers</a></p>
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) <a href="https://twitter.com/jaypo1961/statuses/379224279679635457">September 15, 2013</a>
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<p>Potrykus is the Wisconsin beat reporter for the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal.
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<p>From replay, looks like Stave downed the ball. So that rules out the fumble. Badgers wait for officials to do something. Officials never did</p>
— Doug Haller (@DougHaller) <a href="https://twitter.com/DougHaller/statuses/379142644523220992">September 15, 2013</a>
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<p>Your <i>Arizona Republic </i>beat writer chiming in. Sure Stave downed it but then put the ball down himself instead of giving it to a referee to spot, that is where things went wrong.
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<p>As I said on-air, I'm shocked the officials took so long to spot the ball. Should've been delay of game on ASU but officials seem confused.</p>
— Dave Pasch (@DavePasch) <a href="https://twitter.com/DavePasch/statuses/379273733690499073">September 15, 2013</a>
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<p>About ASU last night, Wisconsin should have had another play. QB's knee was down. ASU laid on the ball - timeout should have been called.</p>
— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikePereira/statuses/379280415095156736">September 15, 2013</a>
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<p>Mike Pereira's opinion carries a lot of weight, only problem is Wisconsin didn't have time out and their was nothing to review on the play.</p>
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<p>To be clear the officials spotted the ball-whistle blew-QB was called down on the field. The issue was w/ ASU laying on the ball!!</p>
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) <a href="https://twitter.com/KirkHerbstreit/statuses/379384475035000832">September 15, 2013</a>
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<p>No statement re: Pac-12 officiating planned for today (ASU-UW). Normal review process. Plays and officiating calls reviewed Monday.</p>
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/schadjoe/statuses/379288681208905728">September 15, 2013</a>
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<p>It will certainly be interesting to see what comes out of this.</p>
<p><b>Editor's Note: Larry Scott has spoken and it isn't pretty for the officials who lacked any sense of urgency at the end of Saturday night's game. The Pac-12 released the following statement. </b></p>
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<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; background-color: #ffffff;">Walnut Creek, Calif. -- Pac-12 Commissioner <a style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #777777; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1em; display: inline-block; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: #777777;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136050/larry-scott">Larry Scott</a> has reprimanded and taken additional sanctions against officials in Saturday night's Wisconsin at Arizona State game for failing to properly administer the end of game situation and act with appropriate urgency on the game's final play, it was announced today.</p>
<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; background-color: #ffffff;">With 18 seconds remaining in the game, Wisconsin's quarterback ran the ball toward the center of the field, touched his knee to the ground and then placed the ball on the ground. There was initial uncertainty over whether the quarterback had taken a knee, given himself up or fumbled the ball. As a result several Arizona State players considered the ball live and a fumble, and attempted to recover the ball.</p>
<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; background-color: #ffffff;">Neither the referee nor anyone on his crew moved with appropriate urgency to clearly communicate that the ball was to be spotted so play could resume promptly.</p>
<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; background-color: #ffffff;">"This was an unusual situation to end the game," said Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott. "After a thorough review, we have determined that the officials fell short of the high standard in which Pac-12 games should be managed. We will continue to work with all our officials to ensure this type of situation never occurs again."</p>
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https://www.houseofsparky.com/2013/9/16/4733684/asu-football-wisconsin-last-play-twitterNick Krueger2013-09-15T15:00:07-07:002013-09-15T15:00:07-07:00ASU vs. Wisconsin: Grading the team
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<figcaption>Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>See how each position faired in Arizona State's 32-30 win over Wisconsin. </p> <p>Well now that the dust has almost settled from last night's final play, and Sun Devil fans have had the chance to digest what the saw Saturday night. Let's give out some position grades.</p>
<p><b>Quarterback: A-</b></p>
<p>Once again, the onus fell on <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/112766/taylor-kelly" class="sbn-auto-link">Taylor Kelly</a> for much of the night. The Sun Devils were able to rush for only 116 yards, including 24 from Kelly. The junior signal caller was 29/51 for 352 yards. Kelly did not throw for a touchdown and had one interception. The reason I grade Kelly's performance so high was he was the one making plays for the Sun Devils all night.</p>
<p>The touch on some of Kelly's passes last night was remarkable, especially those back shoulder throws to Jaelen Strong. Kelly was also plagued by drops from his receivers. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/162477/richard-smith" class="sbn-auto-link">Richard Smith</a> dropped at least three passes and the number of total drops last night for Arizona State numbered at least half a dozen. Kelly's 29 completions were spread out among eight different receivers. He was asked to carry the load last night, and he was up to the challenge.</p>
<p><b>Running backs: B-</b></p>
<p>We haven't seen much from the Sun Devil running game through two games of the season. Arizona State ran for just 116 yards against Wisconsin, with 88 of those yards coming from <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/162475/marion-grice" class="sbn-auto-link">Marion Grice</a>. However, it took Grice 22 carries to rush for those 84 yards, that is a mark of just 3.8 yards per carry. Last season, Grice averaged 6.6 YPC.</p>
<p>One player who has seemingly been absent from the Sun Devil running game has been <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/162479/dj-foster" class="sbn-auto-link">DJ Foster</a>. Arizona State has been using Foster more in the slot and sending him out more in the passing game and it shows in his ground stats. Last night, Foster had five carries for 27 yards, Foster only had one rush against Sacramento State.</p>
<p>The Sun Devils averaged just 2.8 YPC (total includes yards lost on muffed punt) as a team and the longest rush of the night was 18 yards. The longest rush against Sacramento State was 16 yards. The big plays on the ground aren't there for the Sun Devils yet.</p>
<p><b>Wide Receivers/Tight Ends: B-</b></p>
<p>Most of this grade is attributed to the play of Jaelen Strong. His first game in front of a national audience and he shined. Strong finished with six catches for 104 yards. Where Strong excelled last night was in his body control and his hands. Strong hauled in difficult catches in traffic and was draped by Wisconsin defensive backs all night. Foster and Grice were the next leading receivers behind Strong.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/88659/kevin-ozier" class="sbn-auto-link">Kevin Ozier</a> caught two passes, Richard Smith caught three passes and Chris Coyle caught three passes last night. What hurt Arizona State last night was drops. The Sun Devils dropped at least six passes yesterday. Those are the type of mental errors that Todd Graham hates. The ASU wide receivers also had a hard time creating separation and getting open against the Wisconsin secondary.</p>
<p><b>Offensive Line: C</b></p>
<p>The offensive line had a hard time creating holes for the running game all night. Even though Kelly was only sacked one time, he was pressured numerous times and had to evade the rush and use his legs for positive gains. It was an average game for the offensive line, they were not great and they were not terrible.</p>
<p><b>Defensive Line: B-</b></p>
<p>For the second straight game the Arizona State defensive line did not record a sack, however they did a good job pressuring Wisconsin quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/132124/joel-stave" class="sbn-auto-link">Joel Stave</a> and batting down Stave's passes at the line of scrimmage. Where the defensive line struggled was against the run. Wisconsin finished with 231 yards rushing and a staggering 7.3 yards per rush. It is a bit surprising that through two games, Arizona State does not have a sack from <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77518/will-sutton" class="sbn-auto-link">Will Sutton</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/162506/jaxon-hood" class="sbn-auto-link">Jaxon Hood</a> or any of its defensive linemen.</p>
<p><b>Linebackers: B-</b></p>
<p>Chris Young and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/162476/steffon-martin" class="sbn-auto-link">Steffon Martin</a> were all over the field Saturday night. Young finished with six tackles and Martin with five. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/112775/carl-bradford" class="sbn-auto-link">Carl Bradford</a> was able to put pressure on Stave multiple times last night, including hitting him on Wisconsin's failed 2-PT conversion attempt in the fourth quarter. However, like the defensive line, Wisconsin's rushing output puts this grade a little lower.</p>
<p><b>Secondary: A-</b></p>
<p>The secondary was the group on defense that stood out. The only sack of the game for Arizona State came on an <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77505/osahon-irabor" class="sbn-auto-link">Osahon Irabor</a> corner blitz. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/207147/alden-darby" class="sbn-auto-link">Alden Darby</a> broke up two passes and was all of the field (as usual). Stave finished 15/30 for 187 yards and a touchdown. Irabor led the team with seven tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. ASU was physical in coverage and did not allow a Wisconsin receiver to reach 100 yards.</p>
<p><b>Special Teams: C+</b></p>
<p>The biggest mishap last night (aside from the final play) was the botched punt that cost Arizona State seven points. Dom Vizzare panicked when the snap was low and allowed Wisconsin to pick the ball up in the end zone instead of kicking it out of bounds for a safety. Besides that, the special teams unit played well. Vizzare averaged 37.3 yards per punt and nailed two inside the 20-yard line.</p>
<p>Zane Gonzales was a perfect 2-2 on field goals Saturday night. Even though his longest was just 34 yards, he hit every kick that was asked of him. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113616/alex-garoutte" class="sbn-auto-link">Alex Garoutte</a> did a nice job on kickoffs, putting four in the endzone for touchbacks. Both coverage teams did well yesterday as Wisconsin did not get any big plays on special teams and the Badgers even turned the ball over on a punt.</p>
https://www.houseofsparky.com/2013/9/15/4733778/asu-wisconsin-ending-taylor-kellyRyan Bafaloukos2013-09-15T02:23:58-07:002013-09-15T02:23:58-07:00ASU vs. Wisconsin: The final play explained
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<img alt="Todd Graham couldn't believe the way the final seconds played out. " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xZYljLL6m4EdAQjBJLJaH_TCXfw=/0x733:3200x2866/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/19557015/20130914_jla_ak4_1042.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Todd Graham couldn't believe the way the final seconds played out. | Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>They don't call it the wild west for nothing. While the East Coast slept, Arizona State and Wisconsin produced one of the most thrilling finishes in recent memory. </p> <p><b>UPDATE: The Pac-12 has released the following statement announcing that the conference will be reprimanding the officials from the ASU-Wisconsin game. </b></p>
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<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; background-color: #ffffff;">Walnut Creek, Calif. -- Pac-12 Commissioner <a style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #777777; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1em; display: inline-block; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: #777777;" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136050/larry-scott" class="sbn-auto-link">Larry Scott</a> has reprimanded and taken additional sanctions against officials in Saturday night's Wisconsin at Arizona State game for failing to properly administer the end of game situation and act with appropriate urgency on the game's final play, it was announced today.</p>
<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; background-color: #ffffff;">With 18 seconds remaining in the game, Wisconsin's quarterback ran the ball toward the center of the field, touched his knee to the ground and then placed the ball on the ground. There was initial uncertainty over whether the quarterback had taken a knee, given himself up or fumbled the ball. As a result several Arizona State players considered the ball live and a fumble, and attempted to recover the ball.</p>
<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; background-color: #ffffff;">Neither the referee nor anyone on his crew moved with appropriate urgency to clearly communicate that the ball was to be spotted so play could resume promptly.</p>
<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; background-color: #ffffff;">"This was an unusual situation to end the game," said Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott. "After a thorough review, we have determined that the officials fell short of the high standard in which Pac-12 games should be managed. We will continue to work with all our officials to ensure this type of situation never occurs again."</p>
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<p>In terms of wild finishes, it's hard to recall something that rivals the utter confusion that surrounds the final play of the Arizona State-Wisconsin game on Saturday night.</p>
<p>"I mean, I've never really seen anything like it in college football," Sun Devil cornerback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77505/osahon-irabor">Osahon Irabor</a> said.</p>
<p>The Sun Devils and Badgers played 59 minutes and 42 seconds of mistake-filled football, but Irabor knows that all of that is forgotten because of what took place during the final 18 seconds of the game.</p>
<p>After a first down completion, Wisconsin had possession on the Sun Devils' 13-yard line and looked poised to pull off a heart-breaking victory in the desert. The Badgers needed a field goal to overcome a 32-30 deficit in the closing seconds.</p>
<p>With 18 seconds on the clock, quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/132124/joel-stave">Joel Stave</a> took a snap and dashed to his left to center the football in the middle of the field. Stave's goal was to take a knee between the hash marks to allow place kicker <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114199/kyle-french">Kyle French</a> a dead-on approach for a game-winner.</p>
<p>When he reached the center of the field, Stave bumped into right guard <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77794/ryan-groy">Ryan Groy</a> and abruptly realized he should take a knee. Stave's reaction was uncertain, and his kneel down attempt was undeniably poor. Instead of firmly planting his knee in the ground, Stave popped right up and placed the ball on the ground for the referee to spot.</p>
<p>Sun Devil coach Todd Graham saw Stave's quick kneel down and is far from convinced that the Wisconsin quarterback should have been ruled down.</p>
<p>"The quarterback put the ball on the ground while he was still standing up, so that should have been a turnover," Graham said.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/162506/jaxon-hood">Jaxon Hood</a> and Anthony Jones saw exactly what Graham saw and pounced on the football within moments of realizing Stave put the ball on the ground. In all likelihood, a referee blew his whistle when Stave's knee approached the ground. But the whistle was far from definitive and Arizona State's players were smart to react.</p>
<p>"He hadn't been tackled, so that should have been a turnover," Graham said. "That should have ended the game."</p>
<p>Normally, if a whistle blows and a defensive player prevents the offense from snapping the football, a delay of game penalty is issued. In this instance, the referees had not reached a consensus about whether Stave's knee touched the ground or Arizona State recovered a fumble. The referee responsible for spotting the football, the umpire, was looking for assistance on which team he should award possession.</p>
<p>The referees' lack of urgency combined with the Badgers inability to stop the clock led to a frantic ending. Wisconsin did not have a timeout left, and its offensive players did not recognize the running clock until four seconds remained. Two Badger linemen stood two yards behind the football and by the time they set, the clock struck zero.</p>
<p>Todd Graham believed the Badgers should never have had the opportunity to get set because his players jumped on a loose football.</p>
<p>"He (Stave) ran over to spot the ball and we never tackled him," Graham said. "He put the ball on the ground. I mean it's a fumble, make sense?"</p>
<p>Did Stave's knee touch the ground? There's photographic evidence that shows Stave's knee on the ground, but the photograph is not completely conclusive.</p>
<p>Prior to this debacle, Wisconsin wide receiver <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77771/jeff-duckworth">Jeff Duckworth</a> appeared to step out of bounds around his own 35-yard line on a 51-yard reception. The evidence that Duckworth stepped out appears as strong as the evidence that Stave's knee touched the ground. The referees decided that the evidence on Duckworth's reception was inconclusive.</p>
<p>If Stave and the Badgers had time to align correctly and spike the ball, the Badgers would have attempted a last-second field goal from 32 yards out. Wisconsin's placekicking struggles are well documented and the Sun Devils have an excellent field goal block unit.</p>
<p>But to suggest that Wisconsin might miss the field goal is missing the point. The issue is that the Badgers were denied the opportunity to kick the last second field goal because of the confusion on the field.</p>
<p>Does the blame fall on Arizona State for falling on a fumble after a whistle? Does it fall on Wisconsin for poor clock management? Or does it fall on the referees for mishandling the final seconds of the game and creating a sense of uncertainty?</p>
<p>All three parties are responsible for the situation. That doesn't mean the final seconds should be replayed nor does it mean that referees should be fired. Crazy things happen in college football, and that's why we love the sport. The Badgers might have been robbed, but every coach on their staff will tell you they had opportunities to put the game away many times before that final play.</p>
<p>Arizona State safety <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/207147/alden-darby">Alden Darby</a> summed up the chaos best.</p>
<p>"When things like that go your way it just goes to show you that you should win all along," Darby said.</p>
<p>Osahon Irabor said the Sun Devils' goal was to play until the final whistle, and that's why he was so inspired by his fellow defenders' performances tonight.</p>
<p>"I'm just really proud of the way we kept battling until the last second," Irabor said. "We just kept fighting and fighting."</p>
<p>Irabor knows this is just the beginning of what could turn out to be a special season for the Sun Devils. And every magical season comes with a few lucky breaks.</p>
<p>"Luck was on our side, I'll take it any way I can get it," Irabor said. "Sloppy, ugly, beautiful, it doesn't matter. A win is a win. 2 and 0, onto the next one."</p>
<h4>More from House of Sparky:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.houseofsparky.com/2013/9/15/4732250/asu-wisconsin-ending-last-play-todd-graham?utm_source=houseofsparky&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">ASU vs. Wisconsin: Todd Graham explains the final play </a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.houseofsparky.com/2013/9/14/4732184/arizona-state-wisconsin-badgers-ending-score?utm_source=houseofsparky&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Arizona State vs. Wisconsin recap: Controversial finish hands Sun Devils a 32-30 victory</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.houseofsparky.com/2013/9/15/4732360/ap-top-25-arizona-state-wisconsin-ending-alabama?utm_source=houseofsparky&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">AP Top 25: Sun Devils nationally ranked for first time under Todd Graham</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.houseofsparky.com/2013/9/15/4733778/asu-wisconsin-ending-taylor-kelly?utm_source=houseofsparky&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">ASU vs. Wisconsin: Positional grades</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.houseofsparky.com/2013/9/16/4735202/arizona-state-football-schedule-results-stanford-notre-dame?utm_source=houseofsparky&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">ASU Football: Week 3 opponent results and recap</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.houseofsparky.com/2013/9/15/4732306/asu-vs-wisconsin-ending-last-play-ap-pollKerry Crowley2013-09-15T00:06:26-07:002013-09-15T00:06:26-07:00Todd Graham explains the wild finish
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<img alt="Joel Stave is as perplexed as the rest of us. " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/H5rjtJnCSWQuuwPbg1EH2Bo_6lo=/0x67:4000x2734/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/19554169/180615678.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Joel Stave is as perplexed as the rest of us. | Christian Petersen</figcaption>
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<p>The Sun Devils' snuck away with a 32-30 victory and Todd Graham explains how it happened.</p> <p>If you haven't seen the ending to the Arizona State and Wisconsin game, where have you been?</p>
<p>Wisconsin quarterback Joel Stave attempted to center the ball with time running out, but as Stave kneeled to the ground, he let go of the football.</p>
<p>Whether Stave's knee hit the ground before he lost control of the football is still in question (No, it's not. We've seen the pictures.), but Arizona State came away with a victory.</p>
<p>The Sun Devil defense pounced on the football and the game clock continued to tick down. By the time the referees determined that Stave kneeled before he fumbled, it was too late. Time ran out and the Arizona State players stormed the field to celebrate their 32-30 victory over No. 20 Wisconsin.</p>
<p>The final play will go down as the most controversial play of the early season, but Sun Devil coach Todd Graham thought it was all black and white. He answered questions from the media about the play before he had the opportunity to view a replay.</p>
<p><em>Let us know your thoughts on how it all went down in the comments section of this article. </em></p>
https://www.houseofsparky.com/2013/9/15/4732250/asu-wisconsin-ending-last-play-todd-grahamKerry Crowley2013-09-14T23:28:08-07:002013-09-14T23:28:08-07:00ASU vs Wisconsin recap: A controversial 32-30 win
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<img alt="The referees had just about the same impact as Marion Grice did in this one." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/aweRMv9wmM87con5URd58ZlRA1o=/0x133:4000x2800/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/19553053/180593866.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>The referees had just about the same impact as Marion Grice did in this one. | Christian Petersen</figcaption>
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<p>So, does anybody know what just happened?</p> <p>The Arizona State Sun Devils stole a 32-30 upset over the No. 20 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/wisconsin-badgers">Wisconsin Badgers</a> Saturday thanks to chaotic, controversial ending.</p>
<p>The Badgers looked in position to win on walk-off field goal sitting on Arizona State's 13 yard line with just 18 seconds to play. But Wisconsin head coach Gary Andersen decided to have his quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/132124/joel-stave">Joel Stave</a> run out the clock and that's when things got interesting.</p>
<p>It looked at first as if Stave simply chose to place the ball down one-handed after briefly rolling out. <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/ChrisKalohn/status/379132489916104706/photo/1">But the pictures from the back end tell a different tale with it clearly appearing as if Stave took a knee first.</a> Regardless, the Sun Devils saw an opportunity and literally hopped on it.</p>
<p>Linebacker Anthony Jones dove on the ball before the next play could be reset and laid there as precious seconds ticked off the clock. The referees, showing absolutely no sense of urgency, allowed it all to happen before finally placing the ball to be snapped with about two seconds left. That wasn't nearly enough time to get the spike off and the clock hit zero much to Stave's vivid frustration. No formal review was held.</p>
<p>You can watch the bizarre turn of events<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-ELRub8n7s&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank"> here.</a> But believe it or not, there was actually nearly 60 minutes of football played before that baffling final turn of events.</p>
<p>And unfortunately, all this commotion is going steal from the exceptional nights had by ASU's Marion Grice and Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon.</p>
<p>Grice paved the way for Arizona State with four rushing touchdowns and 134 total yards (84 rushing). While he didn't have too many big plays rushing, Grice was steady all night and had no problem pounding it in each time the Devils got in the red zone.</p>
<p>On the other end, Gordon stole the show from James White, compiling 193 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The sophomore was easily the most explosive player on the field Saturday as evident by his 80-yard end around score on the first play of the second half.</p>
<p>But while Gordon was essentially the entire Wisconsin offense, Grice at least got some help from Taylor Kelly. Kelly finished the night with 352 yards and showed some strong chemistry with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/112772/jaelen-strong" class="sbn-auto-link">Jaelen Strong</a> (six catches, 104 yards) in particular. Kelly was shaky to start but eventually came on strong in the second half with a number of precise, back-shoulder throws. He finished the day with zero touchdowns and one interception making this the first time the Sun Devils have won a game in which he's thrown a pick.</p>
<p>On defense, the Sun Devils were the definition of hot and cold. For every big play (like <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/112775/carl-bradford" class="sbn-auto-link">Carl Bradford</a> hurrying Stave on the potential game-tying two-point conversion), there was a head-scratcher (like allowing <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77771/jeff-duckworth" class="sbn-auto-link">Jeff Duckworth</a> to run wild for a 51-yard catch in the final minute). To their credit, they did only allow 23 points since one touchdown came off a botched punt. And only 23 points to a big play team such as the Badgers should always be considered a success.</p>
<p>Looking ahead, the Sun Devils are now undoubtedly set to be ranked for the first time in the Todd Graham era. What remains to be seen is how much credit the voters will truly give ASU for this one. They did play well enough to win but this is the type of victory that tends to leaves a bad taste in your mouth.</p>
<p><i>Now let's hear your take on the game. Do the Devils really deserve the "W"? Tell us in the comments below!</i></p>
https://www.houseofsparky.com/2013/9/14/4732184/arizona-state-wisconsin-badgers-ending-scoreCody Ulm2013-09-14T22:12:23-07:002013-09-14T22:12:23-07:00Wisconsin leads ASU 21-19 after three quarters
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<figcaption>Christian Petersen</figcaption>
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<p>Was Todd Graham on the sideline? Because the coach we know won't tolerate the style of play Arizona State employed in the third quarter. </p> <p>If the second quarter started off on the wrong foot, the third quarter began on the wrong side of the entire body for the Arizona State Sun Devils.</p>
<p>Wisconsin came out of halftime with a 14-13 lead and needed just one play to assert control of the game. Running back Melvin Gordon came in motion and carried 80 yards on a sweep play for a touchdown. The Badgers assumed a 21-13 lead, but they failed to pull away and capitalize on the Sun Devil mistakes.</p>
<p>Arizona State went three-and-out on its first possession of the quarter, but a muffed punt gave the Sun Devils the ball at the Badger 33-yard line. On the first play of the drive, Taylor Kelly was intercepted by safety Dezmen Southward.</p>
<p>The Sun Devils and Badgers traded possessions until Arizona State took the ball at their own nine-yard line with 5:07 left in the quarter. A bad case of the drops plagued the Sun Devils throughout the night, but the receivers were efficient as Arizona State began to march down the field.</p>
<p>Taylor Kelly hit Kevin Ozier on a 34-yard pass play along the sideline to push the Sun Devils into the red zone and Marion Grice finished off a 91-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown scamper.</p>
<p>Arizona State attempted a two-point conversion but Taylor Kelly was sacked in the backfield. As the quarter comes to an end, the Badgers are in the midst of a two-play drive that started with a 35-yard run by Melvin Gordon.</p>
<p>It hasn't been pretty, but if the Sun Devils can find a way to pull out a win, they'll have overcome a number of costly errors to knock off a defending conference champion.</p>
https://www.houseofsparky.com/2013/9/14/4732040/asu-vs-wisconsin-recap-melvin-gordonKerry Crowley