It was a barn-burner between ASU football and Texas Tech on Saturday, with the Sun Devils (2-0) prevailing 68-55 over the Red Raiders (1-1) thanks to an unprecedented, record-setting game by junior running back Kalen Ballage.
Texas Tech led 14-9 through one quarter of play, with ASU's lone touchdown coming on the first career touchdown pass for redshirt sophomore quarterback Manny Wilkins — a 10-yard toss to wide receiver N'Keal Harry that also marked the true freshman's first career touchdown reception.
The Sun Devils also managed to put up two points on a safety thanks to a botched snap by Texas Tech in its own end zone.
A scoring flurry broke out in the second quarter as the Red Raiders and Sun Devils traded blows on both ends of the field. Both Wilkins and Texas Tech junior quarterback Patrick Mahomes were efficient through the air, with Mahomes showing off impressive footwork, arm strength and accuracy despite throwing two interceptions in the game.
Mahomes finished 38-of-53 with 540 yards and five touchdowns, while Wilkins was 28-of-37 for 351 yards and two touchdowns.
But the star of the second quarter (and the game) was none other than Ballage, who tied an FBS record with eight total touchdowns, including seven on the ground and six out of the wildcat formation. Four of Ballage's total scores came in the second quarter as the Red Raiders had no answer for his strength and speed on the edge. He finished with 207 all-purpose yards.
After giving up a late 13-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes to sophomore wide receiver Jonathan Giles, the Sun Devils took a 37-34 lead into the halftime break.
The third quarter had a less frenetic pace than its predecessors, but Mahomes continued carving up the Sun Devil secondary on the first drive of the second half — marching his team downfield to set up a 1-yard rushing touchdown by junior running back Justin Stockton.
But a four-point Red Raider lead quickly disappeared as Ballage punched in his fourth touchdown out of the wildcat and fifth total, this one coming from four yards out to put ASU on top 44-41.
Ballage wasn't done breaking through Texas Tech's defense, either, as he scampered for a 7-yard score out of the same formation on the very next drive, a play which was set up by the feet and arm of a red-hot Wilkins. The Sun Devils entered the final frame leading 51-41.
It was in that final frame that Ballage would find the end zone two more times.
The first score of the fourth for Ballage was thanks in large part to an interception by redshirt senior defensive back De'Chavon "Gump" Hayes — the first of two in this game for Hayes — that brought ASU within feet of the opposing goal line. The seventh score for Ballage gave the Sun Devils a 58-41 lead.
After the Red Raiders responded with a touchdown of their own, Ballage got on his horse yet again and ran 75 yards for his eighth score of the night, sending the crowd into a frenzy and putting his team on top 65-48.
A 66-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes to junior wide receiver Cameron Batson on the next drive was all for naught as the Sun Devils tacked on a 43-yard field goal by senior Zane Gonzalez to bring the game to its final margin of 68-55.
ASU will hit the road next week to face University of Texas at San Antonio on Friday, Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m.
Reach the sports editor at rclarke6@asu.edu or follow @RyanTClarke on Twitter.
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