TEMPE, Ariz. -- Zane Gonzalez's FBS-record setting field goal proved to be the difference as Arizona State outlasted UCLA, 23-20, in Tempe, Ariz. A closely contested match-up, the Sun Devils held off UCLA with a blistering defense that held UCLA to -1 rushing yards on the night.
With his 46-yard field goal with 12:28 left in the fourth quarter, Gonzalez set the FBS record for all-time field goals with his 89th career boot. Gonzalez ended the night contributing 11 points with three field goals and two PATs. The senior passed Florida State's Dustin Hopkins' record of 88 field goals.
Safety Marcus Ball set up the record-breaking kick with an interception in the beginning of the fourth quarter on a pass thrown deep up the middle that was deflected and hauled in by the Westerville, Ohio native. The redshirt junior also contributed a career-high 10 solo tackles on the night in his first career start at safety.
The defense fired on all cylinders throughout the game as it held the Bruins to negative total rushing yards, a first for the Sun Devil defense since holding Washington to -5 yards on Oct. 19, 2013. The opportunistic Sun Devil defense also recorded three interceptions against the Bruins. The squad posted five sacks and nine tackles for loss - also a season high for a unit who has seen three of the nation's top-25 passing offenses - and held 54 percent of UCLA's plays to negative or no yardage.
The Devils clung to a slim three-point lead with 48 seconds left in the game and secured the win with a Robbie Robinson's first career interception. The win in the desert marked the first time in the Todd Graham-Jim Mora head-to-head series that the home team was able to secure a victory.
Redshirt freshman Brady White made his first start at quarterback for the Sun Devils and completed 19 passes with one touchdown and one interception. White, who started in place of an injured Manny Wilkins, finished the night with 182 yards of total offense.
Defensive lineman JoJo Wicker put ASU in scoring position after he recovered a fumble from Rosen early in the first quarter. The fumble recovery placed the Sun Devils at the 23 yard line and allowed the Devils to take an early 3-0 lead with Gonzalez's 87th career field goal. With the defense able to impose their will on the UCLA rushing attack, the Sun Devils carried a 3-0 lead into the second quarter.
The Bruins responded just two seconds into the second quarter as UCLA place kicker JJ Molson connected on a 38-yard attempt, but with both defenses holding firm the game was sent to halftime tied at three.
Defensive-back Gump Hayes sparked life into the Sun Devil sideline with an interception on the Bruins' first drive of the second half. The Richmond, Va., native stayed on his feet and turned up field for a 37-yard return on the play. The interception set up Gonzalez's 88th career field goal, tying Hopkins record.
Holding a narrow 6-3 lead, the Devil defense went on lockdown and forced the Bruins into another three-and-out. White put ASU in good field position with a 12-yard punt return that started the Sun Devil drive on their own 43-yard-line. Following back-to-back first downs to start the drive, the Sun Devils scored their first touchdown of the game with a bruising 5-yard carry by Richard.
The defense returned to the grind, coming up with big stops, including holding UCLA at the two-yard-line, forcing UCLA to again opt for a field goal. The 13-6 Sun Devil lead would not hold for long, as Rosen launched a 52-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Lasley to tie the game at 13.
ASU responded with a seven-play, 75 yard drive that was capped by a 17 yard touchdown reception by N'Keal Harry as time expired in the third, sending the game to the fourth quarter with ASU holding a 20-13 lead.
Gonzalez was true on his record breaking 46-yard field goal to make it a 10-point game with 12:28 to play. Following an 18-yard touchdown reception by UCLA's Nate Iese that pulled the Bruins within three, the Sun Devils put the game away in the final seconds with back-to-back sacks, followed by the Robinson interception, to hold on and win the game.
With Saturday's win, the Sun Devils improved to 13-19-1 against UCLA, including a 3-1 record against the Bruins in their last four meetings. The win also improved ASU to 25-6 at Sun Devil Stadium under head coach Todd Graham, who is now 5-1 for the third time in five seasons in Tempe.
ASU will continue Pac-12 play on the road next weekend as the Sun Devils will head to Boulder, Colo., to face the Buffaloes. Kickoff the next Saturday's contest is scheduled for 5 p.m. AZT and will be televised on the Pac-12 Network.
With his 46-yard field goal with 12:28 left in the fourth quarter, Gonzalez set the FBS record for all-time field goals with his 89th career boot. Gonzalez ended the night contributing 11 points with three field goals and two PATs. The senior passed Florida State's Dustin Hopkins' record of 88 field goals.
Safety Marcus Ball set up the record-breaking kick with an interception in the beginning of the fourth quarter on a pass thrown deep up the middle that was deflected and hauled in by the Westerville, Ohio native. The redshirt junior also contributed a career-high 10 solo tackles on the night in his first career start at safety.
The defense fired on all cylinders throughout the game as it held the Bruins to negative total rushing yards, a first for the Sun Devil defense since holding Washington to -5 yards on Oct. 19, 2013. The opportunistic Sun Devil defense also recorded three interceptions against the Bruins. The squad posted five sacks and nine tackles for loss - also a season high for a unit who has seen three of the nation's top-25 passing offenses - and held 54 percent of UCLA's plays to negative or no yardage.
The Devils clung to a slim three-point lead with 48 seconds left in the game and secured the win with a Robbie Robinson's first career interception. The win in the desert marked the first time in the Todd Graham-Jim Mora head-to-head series that the home team was able to secure a victory.
Redshirt freshman Brady White made his first start at quarterback for the Sun Devils and completed 19 passes with one touchdown and one interception. White, who started in place of an injured Manny Wilkins, finished the night with 182 yards of total offense.
Defensive lineman JoJo Wicker put ASU in scoring position after he recovered a fumble from Rosen early in the first quarter. The fumble recovery placed the Sun Devils at the 23 yard line and allowed the Devils to take an early 3-0 lead with Gonzalez's 87th career field goal. With the defense able to impose their will on the UCLA rushing attack, the Sun Devils carried a 3-0 lead into the second quarter.
The Bruins responded just two seconds into the second quarter as UCLA place kicker JJ Molson connected on a 38-yard attempt, but with both defenses holding firm the game was sent to halftime tied at three.
Defensive-back Gump Hayes sparked life into the Sun Devil sideline with an interception on the Bruins' first drive of the second half. The Richmond, Va., native stayed on his feet and turned up field for a 37-yard return on the play. The interception set up Gonzalez's 88th career field goal, tying Hopkins record.
Holding a narrow 6-3 lead, the Devil defense went on lockdown and forced the Bruins into another three-and-out. White put ASU in good field position with a 12-yard punt return that started the Sun Devil drive on their own 43-yard-line. Following back-to-back first downs to start the drive, the Sun Devils scored their first touchdown of the game with a bruising 5-yard carry by Richard.
The defense returned to the grind, coming up with big stops, including holding UCLA at the two-yard-line, forcing UCLA to again opt for a field goal. The 13-6 Sun Devil lead would not hold for long, as Rosen launched a 52-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Lasley to tie the game at 13.
ASU responded with a seven-play, 75 yard drive that was capped by a 17 yard touchdown reception by N'Keal Harry as time expired in the third, sending the game to the fourth quarter with ASU holding a 20-13 lead.
Gonzalez was true on his record breaking 46-yard field goal to make it a 10-point game with 12:28 to play. Following an 18-yard touchdown reception by UCLA's Nate Iese that pulled the Bruins within three, the Sun Devils put the game away in the final seconds with back-to-back sacks, followed by the Robinson interception, to hold on and win the game.
With Saturday's win, the Sun Devils improved to 13-19-1 against UCLA, including a 3-1 record against the Bruins in their last four meetings. The win also improved ASU to 25-6 at Sun Devil Stadium under head coach Todd Graham, who is now 5-1 for the third time in five seasons in Tempe.
ASU will continue Pac-12 play on the road next weekend as the Sun Devils will head to Boulder, Colo., to face the Buffaloes. Kickoff the next Saturday's contest is scheduled for 5 p.m. AZT and will be televised on the Pac-12 Network.