Sept. 20, 2009
Box Score | Quotes | Notes | Photo Gallery
TEMPE, Ariz.
By: Carmen Vitali, ASU Media Relations
With a spectacular 89-yard touchdown return on the game’s opening kickoff, Omar Bolden led the way as the Sun Devil football team defeated Louisiana-Monroe 38-14 on Saturday.
Bolden’s kickoff return marks the first ASU return for a touchdown since Rudy Burgess returned a kickoff 98 yards against USC on Nov. 22, 2007, and it is the first ever opening kickoff return in Sun Devil history.
"I saw a wide-open lane, and the credit goes to the 10 other players that were on the kickoff return team,” Bolden said. “They set up the blocks nicely and I did the rest."
Bolden's return also ended a touchdown drought for the team as the Sun Devils had not scored a touchdown in the first quarter since its opening game with Northern Arizona last year, a span of 29 drives resulting in 20 punts, six field goals, two interceptions thrown and one fumble lost.
Quarterback Danny Sullivan and the Sun Devil offense picked up where Bolden left off. Sullivan went 19-of-30 for 220 yards and a touchdown, and he also recorded his first career rushing touchdown, a one-yard sneak in the third quarter.
Senior Dimitri Nance led the ground attack with 17 carries for 82 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore Ryan Bass added 35 yards on six carries and freshman Cameron Marshall also carried six times for 18 yards.
The Sun Devil receivers did not disappoint either, with seniors Kyle Williams and Chris McGaha leading the pack. Williams caught eight passes for 129 yards while McGaha had five catches for 31 yards and a touchdown. Junior Kerry Taylor added three catches for 47 yards.
True freshman kicker Bobby Wenzig also had a strong game in his collegiate debut. Wenzig, who had been scheduled to redshirt this season, was called into action with regular kicker Thomas Weber injured, and he made all five of his extra point attempts and connected on a 24-yard field goal.
“I was trying to run him down Friday, because I didn't know where he was,” head coach Dennis Erickson said about Wenzig. “I'm glad he wasn't at home.”
ASU’s defense continued its strong start to the 2009 season, forcing three turnovers and limiting ULM to just 14 points. For the 16th time in 27 games under Erickson, the Sun Devil defense recorded at least one takeaway, and it the 12th time they forced three or more turnovers in a game.
Bolden added to his touchdown return with an interception in the first quarter, and Travis Goethel intercepted a pass late in the second quarter, which he returned 34 yards to set up a Sun Devil field goal. Goethel also recovered a muffed punt to add to his interception.
The defense has now forced eight turnovers on the season, including six interceptions.
The Sun Devils head to Georgia next for their first non-conference road game since Colorado in 2006.