Tucson -- When a football team loses four fumbles and an interception in one game, it's hard to find anything positive about the offense.
But lost in the turnovers was yet another impressive showing by ASU's receiving corps on Friday against UA.
Three receivers -- Derek Hagan, Moey Mutz and Zach Miller -- had more than 75 yards receiving, and two more -- Matt Miller and Hakim Hill -- had catches totaling at least 40 yards.
Leading the way once again for ASU was junior wide-out Hagan. Hagan tallied seven catches for 110 yards in the contest, passing John Jefferson and moving into a tie with Eric Guliford for most 100-yard games in school history with 13. The seven receptions move Hagan to within 16 of Jefferson's career record of 188.
However, all the accolades weren't enough as the Wildcats pulled out the 34-27 victory.
"You never want to lose to UA," Hagan said. "It's real tough. They have a whole year of bragging rights now."
Hagan will be back to attempt to even the score next year, as he announced his intentions to return for his senior season of football at ASU. As long as he stays healthy, Hagan has a good shot at taking over many of the Sun Devils' career receiving marks.
Along with the 16 receptions, Hagan needs less than 500 yards receiving to pass Jefferson for No. 1 on the all-time receiving yards list. Another 100-yard contest would also give him sole possession of that list at 14 such games.
Another player quickly moving into the record books is freshman tight end Miller. Miller grabbed a team-high eight passes for 76 yards against the Wildcats, giving him 51 receptions on the season. The freshman sensation sits just four catches away from tying Todd Heap's record for season receptions by a tight end at 55 with one game to play.
The 76 yards also moves him into seventh place in the single-season reception yards list for tight ends with 524.
Hagan and Miller will attempt to etch their way into the record books with a new signal caller taking the snaps. With senior quarterback Andrew Walter's ASU career over due to a third-degree shoulder separation, sophomore Sam Keller will take the reins of the team for this year's bowl game as well as for next season.
"I'm confident in Keller," Miller said. "He's been doing a great job in practice all season."
After Walter went down with 7:30 left on the clock against the Wildcats, Keller came in and completed 8-of-13 passes for 94 yards. Hagan caught three of those balls for a total of 26 yards and Miller had one grab for 15 yards from Keller.
Reach the reporter at kyle.odegard@asu.edu.
