By Lucas Robbins,
SDA Digitial Communications Intern
Two interceptions and 24 unanswered points elevated the Arizona State Sun Devils over the Washington Huskies, 27-17, to snap a three-game losing streak Saturday afternoon at Sun Devil Stadium.
The Sun Devils (5-5, 3-4) win was solidified by three turnovers on UW’s (4-6, 2-5) final three possessions, including interceptions by linebackers Christian Sam and Marcus Ball, and a forced fumble by safety James Johnson and a recovery by defensive lineman Edmond Boateng.
Sam led the Sun Devils defense with 12 tackles and linebacker Antonio Longino added two sacks and four tackles for loss, while cornerback Kweishi Brown also added seven tackles and forced a timely turnover.
Brown’s 26-yard interception return in the fourth quarter led to a 48-yard touchdown rush for running back Kalen Ballage that increased ASU’s lead for good, 27-17, with under six minutes to play.
ASU’s rushing attack was led by Ballage’s 92 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries, while fellow sophomore running back Demario Richard added 45 yards on 14 carries. Wide receiver Devin Lucien led ASU’s receivers with four catches for 63 yards, and wide receiver D.J. Foster increased his streak to 50 consecutive games with a catch as he added five catches for 62 yards.
Quarterback Mike Bercovici ended the afternoon on 22-of-34 passing for 253 yards and one touchdown. He spread the ball around to eight different receivers, including four that finished with at least four catches on the day.
ASU’s defense forced a missed field goal by UW during the final minute of the third quarter after safety James Johnson deflected a pass in the end zone and Longino notched a sack for a 9-yard loss. ASU carried that momentum to the other side of the football with a 32-yard touchdown catch by Lucien in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter to tie the score, 17-17.
ASU took its first lead of the game, 20-17, midway through the fourth quarter behind a 23-yard field by Zane Gonzalez. The Sun Devils pushed the Husky offense 10 yards backward to highlight a three-and-out on the ensuing series, its third of the game, behind a sack by defensive lineman Tashon Smallwood. Bercovici led the offense on a 12-play, 64-yard drive that ended with Gonzalez's kick.
UW was first on the scoreboard after a 46-yard catch by wide reciever Marvin Hall, which set up a 35-yard field goal by Cameron Van Winkle. After forcing a three-and-out, the Huskies increased their lead, 10-0, when running back Gaskin Myles punched in a 1-yard touchdown after rushing for 53 yards on the play before.
The Huskies reached the end zone a second time when quarterback Jake Browning connected with tight end Darrell Daniels for a 29-yard touchdown. The 67-yard scoring drive took eight plays, including a fourth-down conversion on a 2-yard rush by backup quarterback K.J. Carta-Samuels, who took a direct snap off a motion after lining up at the slot position.
ASU earned its first score when Gonzalez made a 40-yard field goal late in the first half to make the count, 17-3.
ASU’s first touchdown capped a five-play, 60-yard drive that included consecutive catches by Foster and Lucien for 26 and 20 yards, respectively. Ballage's 3-yard rushing score lessened UW’s lead in the third quarter, 17-10.
Browning completed 28 of 52 pass attempts for 405 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions.
The Sun Devils host the annual Territorial Cup showdown on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 1:30 p.m. (AZ) on Fox Sports 1.