Arizona State’s defense has a big night in win over UCLA

Oct 3, 2015, 8:23 PM | Updated: 8:26 pm

UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen, right, is sacked by Arizona State linebacker DJ Calhoun, left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

BY JEFFREY SANDERS

Arizona Sports

After giving up 42 points against USC last weekend, the Arizona State defense brought a motivated effort in their 38-23 win over number seven ranked UCLA.

The defense controlled this game, shutting down the UCLA offense and only allowing three UCLA first downs on third down conversions. In addition, they forced two safeties and picked off a Josh Rosen pass.

Arizona State took a 29-10 lead into the fourth quarter before UCLA gathered some momentum and put together two scoring drives to make things interesting, but that did not take away from the dominating effort on defense.

UCLA had a chance to to tie and potentially take the lead with five minutes to go in the fourth quarter, but the Arizona State defense forced a three and out and the Sun Devils iced the game when Kalen Ballage ran in a touchdown from 23 yards out.

Offensively, the team had a nice night. Mike Bercovici threw for 273 yards and two touchdowns with an interception, while Tim White managed 108 total yards and a touchdown.

But it was the defense that stole the show in Pasadena in handing the Bruins their first loss of the season.

Besides a couple long pass plays, freshman quarterback Josh Rosen was held in check, finishing with 280 yards on 22-40 throwing. The Bruin running game was also nonexistent besides one scoring drive in the fourth quarter when running back Paul Perkins ran for 33 of his 63 yards.

On the night, the Bruins running game managed just 62 total yards on 28 carries.

If this Sun Devils defense shows up the rest of the way, all may not be lost in Tempe because tonight was impressive on defense.

Arizona State quarterback Mike Bercovici gestures to fans after they scored a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UCLA, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

UCLA offensive lineman Alex Redmond, right, blocks Arizona State linebacker Viliami Latu during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Arizona State wide receiver D.J. Foster, left, can't hold on to a pass as UCLA defensive back Randall Goforth defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, in Pasadena, Calif. Goforth was charged with pass interference on the play. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Arizona State head coach Todd Graham, right, gestures to one of his coaches during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UCLA, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

UCLA wide receiver Thomas Duarte, right, scores a touchdown as he breaks a tackle by Arizona State defensive back Jordan Simone during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Arizona State head coach Todd Graham gestures during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UCLA, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

UCLA wide receiver Jordan Payton, right, catches a pass while being defended by Arizona State defensive back Kweishi Brown during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen, right, is sacked by Arizona State linebacker DJ Calhoun, left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen passes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Arizona State quarterback Mike Bercovici passes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UCLA, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Arizona State wide receiver Ryan Jenkins, right, can't hold on to a pass while being defended by UCLA defensive lineman Sam Tai during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Arizona State linebacker Viliami Latu, right, gets ready to sack UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen for a safety during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Arizona State wide receiver Tim White, second from right, scores a touchdown under pressure from UCLA defensive back Tahaan Goodman, left, and defensive lineman Sam Tai, second from right, while wide receiver Gary Chambers blocks for White during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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