Arizona State Sun Devils

#4 Arizona State holds on late to defeat #5 Texas 31-28, claims first Rose Bowl victory since 1986

December 31, 2017

Game Report Posted: October 05, 2016 04:35  

PASADENA -- Coach Jon Landrum has never been afraid to make aggressive calls and zig when everyone else would zag. That mindset paid off in a big way in claiming Arizona State's first Rose Bowl win since 1986.

Facing 3rd and 6 with about a minute left on the clock - and the Longhorns out of timeouts - Landrum called for a pass instead of playing it safe and running the clock. One Ryan Summers 7 yard completion later, and the Sun Devils were in victory formation, preparing to celebrate a milestone victory.

Heisman winner Mark Bray threw 3 TD's and Doak Walker winner Steve Williams ran for 147 yards and a TD in the victory. Arizona State finishes the season at 12-2, their best mark since 1975.

Bray, #9 Arizona State crush #7 Cal 56-24 in Pac-12 Championship, earn first trip to Rose Bowl since 1996

December 9, 2017

Game Report Posted: October 05, 2016 03:13  

TEMPE -- Arizona State struck a big early blow in this contest, ringing up 21 first quarter points en route to the school's first conference championship since 1996. Mark Bray's 321 total yards and 5 TD's were key in getting the Sun Devil's out front early, and the clutch performance may very well have sown up the Heisman Trophy for him. Credit must also go to the oft-maligned defense, who forced two turnovers and held Cal to just 289 total yards of offense.

In addition to their first conference title since 1996, the Sun Devils will play in their first Rose Bowl since they faced Ohio State that same year. That game ended in a bitter loss, as legendary Sun Devils QB Jake Plummer fell just short at the end. This time around, they'll face #5 Texas. A win would be their first since 1986.

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INJURIES
WR Josh Jackson (Strained back)

AWARDS
QB Mark Bray - NCAA Offensive Player of the Week
LB Brandon Rose - Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week

#11 Arizona State clinches Pac-12 South with 59-6 drubbing of rival Arizona

November 25, 2017

Game Report Posted: October 05, 2016 01:37  

TEMPE -- Facing a must win game against their bitter rival for the second straight season, the Sun Devils came through this time in dominating fashion. Heisman candidate Mark Bray led the way with 416 total yards and 5 TD's, while senior Bryan Winston caught 10 passes for 162 yards and one score, tying the school record for receptions in a season (87) in the process. Tucson native Steve Williams ran for 152 yards and 2 scores in his first game against the hometown team he spurned.

Arizona State (10-2) clinches the Pac-12 South for the second time in three years and will face #7 California in the conference championship game.

AWARDS
QB Mark Bray - Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week

#2 Arizona State turns it over 4 times in 46-34 defeat at Washington

November 18, 2017

Game Report Posted: October 04, 2016 06:03  

SEATTLE -- It was an uncharacteristically sloppy day for Mark Bray - a player many believe to be the front runner for the Heisman. Playing in one of the biggest games of his young career, Bray threw three interceptions and lost one fumble, killing any momentum the Sun Devils had built and giving the Huskies multiple short field opportunities to extend their lead.

The loss likely costs the 2nd ranked Sun Devils a shot at getting into the National Championship game. It also makes next week's matchup against rival Arizona a must-win game. Arizona State and USC are currently tied in the loss column, but a win next week would give them the Pac-12 South title and a berth in the Pac-12 Championship game thanks to the Sun Devils head-to-head victory over the Trojans earlier this year.

Arizona State was in the exact same position last year, needing just one win in their last two games to clinch the division. They lost both games...we'll see if they can come through with a key win this time.