Fork Report: ASU notches first road win of 2013 behind Taylor Kelly’s career night

ASU treated its fans to a frighteningly good performance on Halloween night.

For the third straight game and fifth time overall, the Sun Devils surpassed 50 points and amassed more than 500 yards of total offense.

The defense, not to be overshadowed, stuffed the run for the second straight game, allowing Washington State just two yards on the ground.

Add it all up and it equals a 55-21 win at Washington State, the Sun Devils first road victory of the season.

Taylor Kelly completed 22-of-31 passes for 275 yards and five touchdowns. He also rushed for two scores, helping the Sun Devils become the first team in the Pac-12 South to become bowl eligible.

THE GOOD:

Twice in the third quarter, the Sun Devils successfully converted on fourth down via the punt fake. On fourth and six at their own 46, linebacker Carl Bradford, who was a fullback in high school, took the direct snap and ran 20 yards for the first down. On the Sun Devils’ next possession, facing a fourth and four at their own 37, punter Alex Garoutte read the coverage and ran 19 yards through a hole on the right side.

THE BAD:

On his first carry of the game, redshirt junior running back Deantre Lewis fumbled early in the second quarter. It was one of two turnovers by the Sun Devils, who have fumbled four times this season. The Lewis fumble was the first all season by a running back. The second turnover was a Kelly interception. He now has been picked off 17 times in his career, 10 of which have come on the road.

WHEN IT WAS OVER:

After the defense forced its sixth three-and-out of the first half, the Sun Devils took over at their own 49-yard line and wasted little time. Kelly threw deep to sophomore Rick Smith, who while fighting off a defender, tipped the ball twice before securing it and backing into the end zone for a touchdown. The one-play scoring drive was the second of the season and made the score 35-7 in favor of ASU.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

Quarterback Taylor Kelly. Responsible for all seven touchdowns, establishing a new career-high, Kelly totaled 341 yards of total offense. He passed for five touchdowns for the second time this season and third time in his career. The two rushing scores were his fourth and fifth of the season; and all five have come in the past three games.

NOTED:

After a two-game absence, play-by-play radio voice Tim Healey returned behind the mic. “It’s great to be back with you tonight,” he said at the onset of the broadcast. Healey missed homes games against Colorado and Washington after being diagnosed with transient global amnesia.

HE SAID IT:

“The first one was a screen pass from Taylor. Our offensive line pulled great, and I just saw the hole, had to hit it hard and try to force it in there.” — D.J. Foster on the first of his two touchdown receptions

WHAT’S NEXT:

The Sun Devils (6-2, 4-1) stay on the road for a second straight week. ASU travels to Utah on Saturday, November 9. The game is scheduled to kick-off at 2:00 with television on Pac-12 Network; and of course the Sun Devils’ flagship station Arizona Sports 620 with pregame coverage starting at noon.

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