PASADENA,CA – The Arizona State Sun Devils game to the Rose Bowl on a mission from their demeanor and the uniforms they picked for this prime time Fox television game. They continue to dominate in tackles for loss, averaging 9.3 per game this season, good for first nationally and first in the Pac-12 Conference.
This game had its main plays, but in the end, ASU scored 38 points to UCLA’s 23. Game. Led by quarterback Mike Bercovici, who lit the Bruins up passing for 27/44, 273 yards and two touchdowns. He kept the Bruin defense honest by also running read option with dynamic backfield.
Bercovici had 11 rushes for 59 yards, none bigger than a 23-yard burst he broke off for a key first down and a touchdown. Fifth-year senior Devin Lucien, a former Bruin, collected three receptions for 34 yards. Lucien also had a big catch that was confirmed by replay for a key first down in the second half of the game. After the game, Lucien spoke about how the win felt.
“I not really sure how I feel right now.”
The Sun Devils controlled this game by having ball 37:47 compared to the Bruins, who had the ball for only 22:13. Much of that clock was eaten up by tailback Demario Richard, who carried ball 23 times for 79 yards, and running back Kalen Ballage, who carried the rock for 11 carries for 59 yards with a scum push in touchdown. Richard made it five games this season with 100 plus all-purpose yards with 134 total (55 receiving) against the Bruins.
Coming off a game where UCLA scored 56 points in the desert against Arizona, the Bruins just could not get things going in right direction. The offense and defensive lines didn’t control the line of scrimmage to give themselves a chance. Quarterback Josh Rosen faced the heat of the Arizona State pass rush most of the night, not being able to get settled in the pocket, so much so that the game first points was a safety due to intentional grounding call.
Rosen playing from behind but still managed to throw for 280 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Paul Perkins never really got started today amassing only 63 yards on 11 carries and one touchdown. The Sun Devils defense just seemed a step ahead of the Bruins on the ground and the air. Running back coach Kennedy Pola tried to use backup Nate Starks who had 6 carries for only 23 yards.
The Bruins now will have a week off and time to prepare for tough road game in Palo Alto against their nemesis Stanford on Thursday Oct. 15, at 7:30 pm on ESPN.
Jevone Moore a writer, photographer by trade and a coach in life at heart. Former UCLA Bruin football player during the good years, City Champs 92-95.