Sun Devil Supplement: Notes from ASU’s opener vs. Weber State

:41 left in the 4th quarter – Weber State burns a timeout with a few ticks on the clock and one fan in the stands voiced his disapproval by booing loudly. And since he’s one of the few left, it was picked up pretty clearly by the referee’s mic.

Late stages — 4th quarter – It’s good to see Kyle Middlebrooks on the field for ASU getting carries in garbage time. He’s been part of the program for five years and has overcome a serious knee injury suffered in the 2012 Territorial Cup win over Arizona in Tucson.

Middlebrooks had five carries for 18 yards on the Sun Devils’ last possession.

5:09 left in the 4th quarter – Seriously, there’s like 11 people here, but they just witnessed a pretty nice play call from Weber State.

Zach Smith took a wrap-around handoff on a draw play and rumbled untouched for a 60-yard touchdown.

And now, ASU’s lead is cut to 45-14. About that cover…umm….

END OF THE 3RD QUARTER – ASU back with possession as time runs out. What was a good crowd has thinned out to family, friends and diehards with 15:00 to play.

Can’t say I blame them, although this will be the fans’ last glimpse of their Sun Devils for nearly a month. They don’t play another home game until Sept. 25 when they host UCLA in a Thursday night tilt.

4:48 left in the 3rd quarter – ASU didn’t seem to impressed by Weber State’s drive as they answer with another TD march of their own. Bercovici hit Ellis Jefferson on a 19-yard scoring strike capping off a 7-play, 75-yard drive that took just 2:47 off the clock.

It was ASU’s fourth scoring drive of 75 or more yards on the night.

The TD was the first in Jefferson’s career and the first TD throw in Bercovici’s career. ASU leads 45-7.

7:35 left in the 3rd quarter – There will be no shutout tonight. With a lot of members of the second-team defense in for ASU, Weber State finds the end zone for the first time in 2014. Quarterback Billy Green hit Shaydon Kehano on a 19-yard touchdown strike. In all, a nice-looking 8-play, 65-yard drive for the Wildcats.

Sun Devils lead 38-7.

10:46 left in the 3rd quarter – Foster just ripped off a gorgeous 57-yard touchdown run where he spun out of a tackle and outran defenders who had an angle on his way to the end zone.

Foster now has a career-high 147 yards on the ground to go along with his three touchdowns. The 57-yarder was the longest of his career.

11:29 left in the 3rd quarter – Taylor Kelly’s night is over as Mike Bercovici comes in to relieve the starter and promptly overthrows his first two passes. He got bailed out on the second one however, as Weber State’s Taron Johnson was flagged for defensive pass interference.

12:00 left in the 3rd quarter – Weber State punts on its first possession of the second half.

In games like this, you look around for other forms of entertainment. So in looking at the flip chart, I noticed that ASU has four different players who wear uniform #5 — Manny Wilkins, Deantre Lewis, Zane Gonzalez and Chad Adams. That’s got to be an NCAA record.

HALFTIME – As expected, this one is all Sun Devils. ASU has out gained Weber State 339-119.

Kelly is 18-of-27 for 238 yards and a touchdown. Strong has 10 catches for 146 yards, while Foster has amassed 110 total yards and two touchdowns on 17 touches.

1:06 left in the 2nd quarter – ASU strikes again. Kalen Ballage scores his first collegiate touchdown — a 1-yard run that was set up by a beautiful 38-yard throw and catch from Kelly to Chambers, who has had a nice first half in his first meaningful college action.

Gonzalez tacks on the PAT and it’s 31-0 right before halftime. By the way, ASU was favored by anywhere from 45-47 points in this game. They’re well on their way to a cover. (Editor’s note: that last nugget was for entertainment purposes only.)

On the drive, Kelly moved into 4th place on ASU’s all-time passing yardage list, moving past Ryan Kealy.

6:44 left in the 2nd quarter – ASU forces another Weber State punt but does nothing with its possession — literally. Zero yards in three plays and Matt Haack punts 36 yards.

11:35 left in the 2nd quarter – Get a stop, reel off a 99-yard scoring drive — no problem. Foster tops it off with a 3-yard touchdown. ASU covered the ground in nine plays and just 2:18.

Oh, and Strong had another three catches on the drive — he’s got 9 grabs for 141 yards and we’ve only played 18:35.

13:53 left in 2nd quarter – ASU’s defense holds on a 4th and goal from the 1-yard line. Marcus Washington made a big hit on Smith to make the stand.

END OF THE FIRST QUARTER – ASU leads 17-0…but Weber State is threatening. After a 39-yard run by Zach Smith, the Wildcats will start the second quarter with a 2nd-and-2 at the ASU 2-yard line.

Now I get to share a perk of working for Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. As a partner of ASU and the IMG Sun Devil Sports Network, our company was recognized in the first quarter, and I got to represent. I’ve never been presented with a game ball before, so this was a cool moment for me. And hey, Sparky!

Follow @Vincemarotta