Relive the 2014 regular season as we spend the next 12 days counting down toward the team’s departure to El Paso. Every day, from Dec. 12 through Dec. 23, we will take a unique look back at all 12 games this year. Visit thesundevils.com as well as all of Sun Devil Athletics’ social media outlets daily.
GAME 2
#17 Arizona State 58, New Mexico 23
Albuquerque, N.M. (University Stadium)
Sept. 6, 2014
INSIDE THE LOCKER ROOM | HIGHLIGHTS | GAMEDAY | KELLY, FOSTER PRESS CONFERENCE
Ground Game Secures Road Victory Over New Mexico
A 423-yard rushing attack, led by a career-high 216 from D.J. Foster, helped the Sun Devils defeat New Mexico, 58-23, on Saturday evening at University Stadium in Albuquerque, N.M.
ASU’s 423 yards on the ground were the most since 1996 and Foster’s 216 yards were the ninth-highest single-game total in ASU history. He became the first Sun Devils back to top 200 yards since Delvon Flowers had 226 against Oregon State in 2001.
Head coach Todd Graham picked up his 20th win at the helm of the Sun Devils, who outscored UNM 26-2 in the second half to close out their first non-conference road win since 2006 and first victory in a road opener since 2007.
Quarterback Taylor Kelly was 11-of-20 for 192 yards and two touchdowns, and added 84 rushing yards, and wide receiver Cameron Smith pulled in four receptions for 77 yards as the Devils collected 621 yards of total offense.
Despite taking a 22-0 first-quarter lead behind rushing touchdowns from Kelly and running backs Deantre Lewis and Kalen Ballage, the Sun Devils held just an 11-point lead at halftime.
ASU opened the third quarter with back-to-back touchdown passes, however, to extend its advantage, 45-21. The offense took less than two minutes to take the ball 75 yards – keyed by a 49-yard Foster rush on the first play from scrimmage – for its first touchdown of the half, and capitalized on a UNM fumble on the ensuing drive for its second score in the first four minutes.
Safety Damarious Randall paced the Devils with 10 tackles and a forced fumble, and the defense kept UNM out of the endzone in the second half as their only two points came on a blocked extra point that safety Brandon Branch returned 98 yards
New Mexico was led by quarterback Lamar Jordan, who finished 7-for-11 for 130 yards and a touchdown along with 32 rushing yards. Teriyon Gipson had 73 rushing yards and 65 receiving yards with a touchdown.
#2014in12
GAME 1
#19 Arizona State 45, Weber State 14
Tempe, Ariz. (Sun Devil Stadium)
Aug. 28, 2014