Fork Report: Bizarre ending gives Grice, ASU signature victory over Wisconsin

Sep 15, 2013, 7:30 AM | Updated: 7:31 am

TEMPE, Ariz. — Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good.

In front of a national television audience, Todd Graham claimed his signature win as time ran out on Wisconsin before a potential game-winning field goal attempt could even be kicked.

Behind running back Marion Grice’s three second half touchdowns, ASU held on for a 32-30 upset win over the 20th-ranked team in the country at Sun Devil Stadium Saturday.

Trailing 21-13 late in the third quarter, the Sun Devils scored on three straight possessions with Grice finding the end zone on each the scoring drives. Grice finished the game with 84 yards and four touchdowns.

ASU improved to 9-0 all-time against visiting Big Ten teams.

THE GOOD

For the second straight game, quarterback Taylor Kelly passed for 300 yards. He completed 29-of-51 for 352 yards. His favorite target once again was junior college addition Jaelen Strong, who caught six balls for 104 yards. Defensively, Osahon Irabor led the way with seven tackles, including two-and-a-half for a loss and a sack.

THE BAD

Too many dropped passes, which stalled drives and halted momentum for the Sun Devil offense. There was also a costly special teams error that led to a Wisconsin score: A bad snap to punter Dom Vizzare was recovered in the end zone by Beau Allen, which at the time gave the Badgers a 14-3 lead early in the second quarter.

WHEN IT WAS OVER

When the clock read 0:00. There were two lead changes in the game, but an opportunity for a third and ultimately the victory never happened as Wisconsin couldn’t stop the clock in time to run its field goal team out for what may have been the game-winning play.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Grice. He became the first Sun Devil to rush for four touchdowns in a game since Mike Williams ran for four at Arizona on Nov. 29, 2002. Grice now has 12 total touchdowns (10 rushing, two receiving) in his last five games and 25 career touchdowns in his first 15 games wearing the Sun Devil uniform.

NOTED

– The Sun Devils win their first game in which Kelly threw an interception.

– Scouts from 10 NFL teams were in attendance: Bills, Colts, Cowboys, Giants, Lions, Jaguars, Jets, Ravens, Titans and 49ers.

HE SAID IT

“We just beat the defending Big Ten champion, but we made so many mistakes,” Graham said.

WHAT’S NEXT

ASU (2-0) hits the road for the first time, traveling to Pac-12 champion Stanford on Saturday, September 21. The game is scheduled to kick-off at 4:00 p.m. MST on FOX; and of course on the Sun Devils flagship station Arizona Sports 620 KTAR with pregame coverage starting at 2:00 p.m. MST.

Arizona State Football

Arizona State wide receiver Javen Jacobs during 2023 spring ball in Tempe, Arizona. (Sun Devil Athl...
Jake Anderson

ASU’s pass-catcher competition includes ‘deep wideout and tight end positions’

The Arizona State Sun Devils have a plethora of talent on the offensive side of the football when it comes to pass catchers.
2 days ago
Arizona State true freshman quarterback Jaden Rashada gives the "forks up" after a spring ball prac...
Jake Anderson

Arizona State’s QB battle heats up after 1st week of spring ball with Jaden Rashada

There are six on the roster, half of which are returners, while two are transfers and one is freshman five-star dual-threat QB Jaden Rashada.
5 days ago
Arizona State defensive back Chris Edmonds, celebrates his pass interception with linebacker Will S...
Jake Anderson

Communication is key for Arizona State’s new defense early on in spring ball

Communication is key in defense, especially in the modern era of college football where offenses are running quick-tempo, hurry-up offenses.
7 days ago
Arizona State University president Michael Crow interviews with Doug & Wolf on 98.7 FM Arizona'...
Kevin Zimmerman

ASU, Arizona presidents: Not preparing to leave for Big 12

The presidents of Arizona State University and the University of Arizona went on the record reaffirming their commitment to the Pac-12.
8 days ago
Kenny Dillingham. (Twitter Photo/@ASUFootball)...
Jake Anderson

Kenny Dillingham instills ‘just compete’ philosophy on Day 1 of ASU spring ball

The first day of spring ball for ASU with new head coach Kenny Dillingham had a vastly different vibe than previous regimes.
9 days ago
Quarterback Trenton Bourguet #16 of the Arizona State Sun Devils throws a pass during the second ha...
Kellan Olson

ASU QB Trenton Bourguet far more healthy in 2023 after 2-year foot issues

ASU's spring starter at quarterback will be able to utilize his skill set in a way he hasn't been physically able to since training camp of 2021.
10 days ago
Fork Report: Bizarre ending gives Grice, ASU signature victory over Wisconsin