Nov. 29, 2008
Recap | Stats | Quotes | Game Action
Arizona State Notes:
Pick Six: The Sun Devils set several defensive school records in the win over UCLA Friday night, including most interceptions returned for touchdowns (three) and most defensive touchdowns scored (four). Overall, the defense saw Troy Nolan (100-yards), Mike Nixon (45-yards) and Travis Goethel (38-yards) each reach the end zone after picking a pass while the defense also picked up a scoring run from Paul `Unga, who scooped up a fumble and ran 17-yards for the score.
Tie in the NCAA: According to the NCAA, the defensive scores recorded by the Sun Devils ties a major college (Football Bowl Series) record with Houston, who posted four scores against Texas on November 7, 1987. The Sun Devils scored on three interceptions and one fumble return while the Cougars scored all four on interceptions, including three in the fourth quarter. Two other schools also have scored four defensive touchdowns in a game, both coming from the Football Championship Series; Northwestern State (La.) and Millikin (Ill.).
Shutting them Down: While the defense was scoring their own points, they also were preventing minimal scoring by the Bruins as the visitors scored just nine points on three field goals in the game. By allowing only three field goals, the defense has not allowed a touchdown scored against it in two-consecutive games (shutout Washington State, 39-0).
Defensive Scoring: For the fourth game in a row, the Sun Devil defense has produced a touchdown of its own. Against UCLA, Paul `Unga capped an interesting play as he scooped up a fumble and ran it 17-yards in for a score, his first collegiate score. The four-game scoring streak started at Oregon State with Troy Nolan taking an interception back 41-yards for a score one game before he returned a fumble 44-yards at Washington (ASU also added a safety in the Husky game). Against Washington State, Lawrence Guy recovered a fumble and ran 22-yards for the score. In all the scores except against the Cougars, these defensive touchdowns were the first touchdowns of the game for the Sun Devils.
Track Meet: Troy Nolan's 100-yard return for a touchdown also tied a school record for the longest returning score in Sun Devil history. R.J. Oliver was the last Sun Devil to record a 100-yard return, doing so in 2003 against Northern Arizona after Emmauel Franklin set the record in 2001 with his long run against San Diego State. All three 100-yard returns have come in games played at home.
Double Dip: Travis Goethel recorded his second career interception and returned the pick 38 yards for his first career score to put the Sun Devils on top, 14-3, late in the second quarter. Goethel's score marked the second time the Sun Devil defense has scored twice this season after Troy Nolan's 44-yard fumble return and a team safety were recorded in the Washington game. The last time the Sun Devil defense had scored twice in the same game was on September 7, 2002, at home against UCF when the defense recorded a safety before Connor Banks returned an interception nine yards for a touchdown.
Wooten Shines: Morris Wooten led the way on the defensive side of the ball tonight with a career-high 17 tackles, including 11 solo and six assisted. His output, which also included 2.0 sacks (for 17 yards) and 2.5 tackles for loss (19 yards total), bettered his previous output of 11 this season against Oregon State.
Kick It: Thomas Weber connected on three PATs and two FGs in the game, bringing his season scoring total to 81 points and his career total to 199. His 199 points ranks seventh all-time in Arizona State history and places him one point from becoming the seventh kicker to score 200 or more points in a career. The sophomore is two points shy of tying Mike Richey (1989-92) for sixth on the all-time list with 201 points.
Williams' Runs: Kyle Williams returned a punt during the third quarter for 64-yards, marking the longest return of the season for the Sun Devils as well as a career-best for Williams, surpassing his 48-yard return in 2007. The return also was the longest for the team since Terry Richardson returned a punt 84-yards against USC in 2005.
Moving On Up: With a four-yard pass completion to WR Mike Jones in the first quarter, QB Rudy Carpenter not only recorded his fifth pass of the contest (5-for-6 for 32 yards at the time of the record-breaker), he also became the most accurate passer in Sun Devil history with his 778 career completion, moving past the previous record-holder, Andrew Walter, who connected on 777 passes (2001-04). Carpenter finished the game with 101 yards on 13-for-26 passing with one interception. For his career, he has completed 786 total passes.
Carpenter Quick Hits: Carpenter made his FBS-leading 42nd-consecutive start for the Sun Devils, tying him with both Eric Allen (1984-87) and Randall McDaniel (1984-87) for the third-most starts in program history (since 1984)... the victory also tied him with Dennis Sproul (1974-77) for the second-most victories by a quarterback in ASU history with 26.
Closing with a Victory: Since playing in the Pac-10 Conference for the first time in the 1978 season, the Sun Devils have closed out their home season with a victory half of the time with tonight's victory over UCLA pushing Arizona State's record to an even 15-15-1 in those games. The win also gives ASU a victory in its home finale for the second year in a row and the fifth-time in six years with the only loss coming to the Bruins in 2006
Hash Marks: The Sun Devils were penalized seven times for 56 yards in the game, the fifth-fewest times it was flagged this season (season low is 4-for-32 vs. Northern Arizona)... Arizona State is now 11-4 at home under Dennis Erickson.
UCLA Notes
- Punter Aaron Perez set a new school record for punt yards in a career with 11,762 (former record held by Nate Fikse, 11,420 yards).
- Quarterback Kevin Craft moved up to No. 3 all-time at UCLA in single season passing (based on completions, 221 total).
- Place kicker Kai Forbath's 53-yard field goal in the first quarter was the second-longest of his career and tied for fourth longest all-time at UCLA. The 53-yarder also moved Forbath into a tie for first in most 50-yard field goals made in a Bruin career (6). He has never missed a field goal attempt from over 50 yards. Forbath also moved to No. 8 all-time at UCLA in single season field goals made (21) and to No. 5 all-time in career field goals made (43). Forbath has made 13 straight field goals and had made 17 of his last 18 attempts (19-22 on the year).
- Wide receiver Marcus Everett set a career-high for receptions in a game (8) and set a new season-high for reception yards in a game (75).
- Wide receiver Terrence Austin equaled his career high for receptions in a game (8). Austin also moved to No. 4 all-time in kickoff return yards (131 tonight/1066 for his career). He moved to No. 2 all-time in single season all-purpose yards (231 tonight/1823 for the season) and is No. 22 all-time in career all-purpose yards (2574 yards).
- Defensive end Korey Bosworth tied his career high for sacks in a game (2).
- Cornerback Michael Norris' 3rd quarter pick of Rudy Carpenter was his second of the year.
- Tailback Derrick Coleman's 38-yard run in the second quarter was the second-longest of his career.
- Offensive lineman Micah Kia has started three different positions this season - LT, RT, LG
- The last time the Bruin defense held a team to fewer rushing yards was October 7, 2006 when they held Arizona to -13 yards.
- Arizona State's 122 total offensive yards was the fewest allowed by the Bruin defense since the 1989 Cotton Bowl when they held Arkansas to 42.