ASU Sun Devils survive Duke, earn back-to-back 10-win seasons: By the Numbers

After a poor special-teams performance nearly cost them the game, a crucial kickoff return helped the Arizona State Sun Devils become back-to-back 10-game winners for the first time in over 40 years.

After Duke returned a punt for a touchdown in the first half and used a fake punt to set up a go-ahead TD in the fourth quarter, freshman running back Kalen Ballage’s 96-yard kickoff return set up freshman tailback Demario Richard’s fourth touchdown of the game to help No. 15 ASU survive Duke 36-31 in the Hyundai Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas on Saturday.

Duke had a chance to regain the lead in the final seconds, but an interception by junior defensive back Kweishi Brown in the end zone secured ASU’s second bowl victory in three seasons.

Under third-year coach Todd Graham, the Sun Devils finished the season with a 10-3 record (6-3 Pac-12) just one year after they went 10-4 and won the Pac-12 South championship. It’s the first back-to-back 10-win campaigns for the Devils since they did it four times in a row under legendary coach Frank Kush from 1970-73.

Senior quarterback Taylor Kelly, who completed 24-of-34 passes for 240 yards and two TD passes, finished his Sun Devil career with a 26-11 record as a three-year starter. Junior wide receiver Jaelen Strong, who announced earlier this week he would declare for the 2015 NFL Draft, had an outstanding farewell performance with seven catches for 103 yards.

A pair of second-quarter Duke touchdowns, capped by a 68-yard punt return by wide receiver Jamison Crowder, trimmed a 20-3 ASU lead to three points at halftime. But the Sun Devils came out strong in the third quarter, scoring on their opening possession via an 11-yard TD pass to Richard from Kelly. Richard, who turned 18 earlier this month, had two TD runs and a pair of TD receptions.

Crowder’s pass to fellow wideout Johnell Barnes gave Duke its only lead of the game at 31-30 with five minutes to play. But Ballage’s kickoff return on ASU’s ensuing possession helped the Devils regain the lead and keep it.

Here’s a closer look at the Devils’ 10th victory of 2014 by the numbers:

3

Sophomore kicker Zane Gonzalez was a perfect 3-for-3 on field-goal attempts, including a long of 47 yards in the third quarter.

12

Strong ended his collegiate career with 12 100-yard receiving games in 26 contests.

14 (part I)

The win was ASU’s 14th all-time bowl win. The Sun Devils are now 14-13-1 in their bowl history.

14 (part II)

ASU finished the season with plus-14 turnover margin thanks to a pair of takeaways Saturday, including Brown’s pick in the final minute.

24

ASU is now 24-1 under Graham when leading at halftime.

60

Junior running back D.J. Foster became the third ASU player with 60-plus catches in back-to-back seasons. Strong and Derek Hagan are the others to achieve that milestone.

2,000

With 79 rushing yards Saturday, Foster surpassed the 2,000-yard rushing mark for his collegiate career.