Watch Kalen Ballage’s absurd touchdown run to clinch an upset win over UCLA

Oct 3, 2015, 9:33 PM | Updated: Oct 4, 2015, 6:32 am

Suns reporter, ArizonaSports.com editor

If all that was missing for Arizona State was a signature moment during their 38-23 upset victory over UCLA, Kalen Ballage provided just that on the last play of the game for the Devils offense.

With tremendous effort from Ballage and his offensive line, the sophomore running back ran roughly 21 yards after contact into the endzone while UCLA defenders attempted to strip him of the ball. With Bruins yanking on the ball and his arms, Ballage showed fantastic strength by not only stay on his feet, but hold onto the ball as well.

The most ridiculous part about Ballage’s run is that he did most of it not even facing the endzone. Ballage backpedaled his way towards the endzone, unable to even see where he was going for most of the run.

With extra pushes and pulls from his teammates, Ballage’s 23-yard touchdown run sealed the upset win and a signature moment in Arizona State football history.

“To a lot of people, that might be surprising,” quarterback Mike Bercovici said. “I don’t think, to anybody on our football team, that is surprising. That’s what Kalen Ballage does. He’s a man-child. He could probably play guard if you needed him to.”

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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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