Taylor Kelly, Jaelen Strong efficient in duo’s final game with ASU

Arizona State’s passing game is bound to look much different next season.

Saturday’s Hyundai Sun Bowl was a reminder of that fact, as quarterback Taylor Kelly and wide receiver Jaelen Strong took the field one last time for the Sun Devils. The game marked the conclusion of Kelly’s fourth year under center for ASU, while Strong is forgoing his senior season to take his chances in the NFL.

The two players reminded ASU fans how valuable they are to the program in a 36-31 win over Duke.

Strong caught seven passes for a game-high 103 receiving yards, his fifth time surpassing 100 yards in his junior year. Counting Saturday’s game, the 6-foot-3 wideout hauled in 82 passes for 1,165 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2014. Keep in mind that he missed the Nov. 22 win over Washington State.

His 2014 numbers were quite similar to the ones he posted in his sophomore season: 75 receptions for 1,122 yards and seven TDs, although he played in two extra games last year. The Philadelphia native actually had more 100-yard games (seven) in 2013 than he did this season, but his game-by-game production was more consistent in his final campaign as a Sun Devil.

Kelly, meanwhile, had a solid day of 24-of-34 passing (70.6 percent) for 240 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. The senior threw what initially looked like a pick late in the second quarter, but the referees ruled the ball touched the ground.

The ruling was a relief for the Sun Devils, as an interception would have given Duke a short field to work with with a chance to tie or take the lead just before halftime. ASU held onto a three-point lead at the half and ultimate emerged by a close margin at the end of the contest.

Sun Devils coach Todd Graham said after the game that Kelly is among the seniors that “have laid the groundwork for the championships that are going to come.”

Graham went on to talk about the Sun Bowl performance in particular.

“I’m proud of Taylor Kelly. Man, he came out today and he was Taylor Kelly,” the coach said. “And I told him that every single play to play it to the max. He did.”

Graham also said the quarterback has been playing at less-than-full strength for most of the season, particularly after breaking a bone in his right foot in a Week 3 win at Colorado. The ASU coach said he was criticized for sticking with Kelly over backup Mike Bercovici when Kelly was available to take the field again.

“They don’t work here,” Graham said of Kelly’s critics. “They don’t know the heart and the character that Taylor Kelly has. And he was the best leader to be on the field to give us the best chance to win. I’ve got no regrets on that.

“It wasn’t blind loyalty. Taylor was the best quarterback to help us win a championship. We didn’t get it done; we fell short, but I’m awful proud of what we have accomplished. We’ve done some great things.”

With Saturday’s performance, Kelly finished the season with 165 completions in 278 attempts for 2,114 yards, 22 touchdowns and five interceptions in 10 appearances. Over his four-year Sun Devils career, the Eagle, Idaho, native racked up 8,819 yards and 79 touchdowns while completing 712-of-1,125 passes (63.3 percent) with 26 interceptions. He finished his collegiate career with a 26-11 record as a starter.

Even with Kelly and Strong departing, all hope is not lost. Graham reminded ASU fans that the team’s offense should be in some pretty good hands next season, referring to the team’s up-and-coming backup QB.

Bercovici, a junior, made eight appearances and started three games this season for the Sun Devils. He completed 115-of-186 (61.8 percent) passes for 1,445 yards and 12 touchdowns with four interceptions. At one point, the Calabasas, California, native put together back-to-back games of around 500 yards through the air, including five touchdowns and no interceptions in an Oct. 4 win at USC.

“Mike Bercovici’s going to be a great one,” the third-year Sun Devils coach said. “And he did a great job for us when he came in.”