Fork Report: Gonzalez’s big kick lifts Arizona State over Utes in OT

TEMPE, Ariz. — Because regulation just wasn’t good enough, the battle for first place in the Pac-12 South extended into overtime — and in the extra period, sophomore Zane Gonzalez made the biggest kick of his Arizona State career.

Gonzalez split the uprights from 36 yards out to give the 14th-ranked Sun Devils a 19-16 victory over 17th-ranked Utah in front of an announced crowd of 53,754 at Sun Devil Stadium.

“I’m just happy it went through the upright,” Gonzalez said.

The Sun Devils’ fourth win in a row put them in the driver’s seat to go to the Pac-12 Championship game for a second straight year.

“That’s where we want to be,” said Taylor Kelly, who completed 18-of-32 passes for 205 yards.

ASU (7-1, 5-1) leads the South by one game in the loss column over Utah, Arizona, UCLA and USC.

It wasn’t always pretty, especially offensively.

The Sun Devils outgained Utah 444-241 but only found the endzone once, on a six-yard touchdown catch by Jaelen Strong to give ASU a 13-3 advantage with 7:13 left in the second quarter.

From there, Utah scored 13 straight points to take its first lead of the game.

Not only did Gonzalez win it for the Sun Devils, but it was his 30-yard field goal with 5:47 to play that ultimately forced the extra period.

THE GOOD

Against the conference’s second-ranked rushing defense, the Sun Devils gained 152 yards on only 19 carries in the first half. Demario Richard accounted for 65 yards, including a long of 32. He finished with a season-best 116 yards.

The Sun Devil defense surrendered only 97 yards on 35 snaps of the football for an average of 2.8 yards per play in the first half, limiting Utah to a pair of field goals in the second quarter.

Gonzalez went 4-for-5 on field goals, running his streak of consecutive makes to seven before missing a 50-yard attempt in the second quarter.

With a three-yard reception in the second quarter, D.J. Foster has now caught at least one pass in each of the 35 collegiate games he has played.

Jordan Simone finished with a team-high 13 tackles, his fourth double-digit-tackle game of the season.

Marcus Hardison recorded his team-high fifth sack of the season in the first quarter.

The Sun Devils defense pitched a first quarter shutout for the third straight game.

The Sun Devils improved to 7-3 all-time in overtime.

Kelly improved to 24-9 as a starter.

THE BAD

Despite averaging 7.1 yards per play, the Sun Devils’ offense settled for a pair of field goals on their first two drives of the game. On its opening possession, ASU had it first-and-goal at the Utah 2-yard line before a false start penalty on right tackle Tyler Sulka put the football at the seven. The drive stalled three plays later.

After 255 total yards in the first half, including seven plays of 20 or more yards, the Sun Devils’ offense sputtered, gaining just 55 yards in the third quarter and failing to convert on any of their three third downs.

Kelly misfired on eight of his first 14 pass attempts, and he was picked off by linebacker Gionni Paul in the second quarter. It was the second interception thrown by Kelly this season.

Kelly was sacked four times — Utah came in averaging a nation-best five per game — and he watched as three of six Sun Devil penalties were committed by the offensive line.

Utah scored 13 unanswered points to take a 16-13 lead at 6:09 of the third quarter, the first time the Sun Devils trailed in a game since their trip to USC.

With 146 rushing yards by Devontae Booker, ASU’s defense has allowed a 100-yard rusher in six of eight games this season.

STAT OF THE GAME

1: The first career game-winning field goal by Gonzalez.

HE SAID IT

“I’m just really proud of our guys. This is the funnest bunch of guys I’ve ever coached. Great night to be a Sun Devil.” -ASU coach Todd Graham

NOTED

Starting left guard Christian Westerman did not play because of a leg injury.

Starting defensive end Demetrius Cherry did not dress; he was suspended for violation of team rules.

The Sun Devils hosted their third straight ranked opponent, something that has happened on only two other occasions (1982 and 2005).

Representatives from the Alamo, Cotton, Sun and Fiesta bowls, as well as scouts from eight NFL teams (Browns, Buccaneers, Cardinals, Chiefs, Colts, Rams, Titans and 49ers) were in attendance.

Eric Allen (1983-87) and Darren Woodson (1989-91) were recognized during the game for their induction into the ASU Ring of Honor, which highlights individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the legacy of the Sun Devil Football program.

UP NEXT

It’s another home game, and it’s a big one.

ASU returns to Sun Devil Stadium next Saturday for a matchup with 10th-ranked Notre Dame (7-1). Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., with pregame coverage beginning two hours earlier on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.

Last season, Notre Dame handed ASU a 37-34 loss at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX as part of the Shamrock Series.

The Sun Devils are 0-3 all-time against the Fighting Irish, losing games in 1998 and 1999.

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