ASU trick play, safety in 3rd quarter puts Sun Devils back in game

ASU football fell behind in the first half to UCLA, but a trick play, touchdown and safety in the third quarter got them back in the contest.

BY LOGAN NEWMAN

Dec 5, 2020, 11:04 PM Updated: 11:07 pm

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Arizona State running back Rachaad White, left, is hit by UCLA linebacker Carl Jones (35), defensive back Stephan Blaylock (4) and linebacker Caleb Johnson (40) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

(AP Photo/Matt York)

Coming off three straight weeks of cancellations, Arizona State started the game against UCLA out of sorts. The Sun Devils trailed 17-3 at halftime, and they would have been shut out had it not been for a 42-yard kickoff return, 15-yard penalty and 49-yard field goal as the half closed.

They turned it around in the third quarter.

ASU ran a trick play in which Jayden Daniels threw a backward pass to the right to Ricky Pearsall, who then threw it across the field to the left side for a 51-yard catch-and-run by Rachaad White.

This led to a 10-yard Frank Darby touchdown.

🚨 DOUBLE PASS 🚨

🎥 @FS1 pic.twitter.com/7Ctudk6d7W

— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) December 6, 2020

Tyler Johnson’s sack, his third of the game, helped ASU get possession back, and the Sun Devils again drove down field. They got to the one-yard line — but they stalled.

ASU botched a snap and UCLA recovered the fumble. The Sun Devils’ momentum appeared to be over.

But, inside the five-yard line, the defense held. The Bruins not only could not drive downfield, but ASU forced an intentional grounding in the end zone to pick up a safety.

With more than four minutes remaining in the quarter, ASU had cut a two-possession deficit into a five-point game.

The Sun Devils are looking to get the win and avoid an 0-2 start to a three-game season.

Listen live to the conclusion at 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.