Senior defensive end Marcus Hardison (left) intercepts a Notre Dame pass, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe. The Sun Devils beat the Fighting Irish 51-31. (Photo by Ben Moffat)The Sun Devil defense has long since shed the painful memories of allowing 62 points at home to Pac-12 South rival UCLA, and has been rejuvenated under senior leadership to hold opponents to only 36 points in the three previous games leading up to Notre Dame on Saturday, Nov. 8.
This week ASU would, again, line up opposite a talented, mobile quarterback in senior Everett Golson for Notre Dame. To ASU's advantage, however, the momentous Sun Devil defense would look to capitalize on Golson’s bad habit of turning the ball over, something he did 12 times in his nine games as a starter this season.
Golson is listed as 6-foot-0 (perhaps in his cleats), and would be forced to throw over ASU’s towering defensive front boasting only one starter shorter than 6-foot-2.
Senior defensive end Marcus Hardison had a marquee performance, intercepting Golson late in the first quarter. He then deflected a pass on the Irish’s next offensive possession which fell into the hands of redshirt senior safety Demarious Randall who took it back for a touchdown.
Golson threw four interceptions to the Sun Devil defense in ASU’s 55-31 victory over Notre Dame, he also fumbled once late in the first quarter. Of the five turnovers produced by the Sun Devils, they would cash in 28 total points on four ensuing drives.
Following the game, Randall illuminated the Sun Devils’ game plan to recognize not only Golson’s mobility but also his recent struggle with turnovers. Hardison poked fun at Golson’s lack of height, which led to the defensive front seeing large amounts of success in batting passes at the line of scrimmage.
“I wasn’t able to get to (Golson) in time and I saw him release, so I just got my hands up as quick and possible,” Hardison said.
When the defensive front could get to the quarterback, it was able to bring him down consistently, collecting a season-high seven sacks by seven different players (costing ND 64 yards on offense). When Golson was able to release the ball, he saw three passes broken up, all three leading to Sun Devil interceptions.
ASU coach Todd Graham credited the Notre Dame quarterback on his ability to gouge defenses for big plays either with his arm or feet, but knew his defense would be able to capitalize off Golson’s low-pass trajectory from inside the pocket.
“The way we do what we do, we are going to get people free on the quarterback,” Graham said. “We really focused on running at (Golson’s back foot); get him to move forward ... Our guys did a great job of executing.”
In the end, it was the opportunistic defense that, once again, pushed the Sun Devils over the mountain top and onward to another thrilling victory.
Reach the reporter at csafran@asu.edu and follow him on Twitter @ChrisSafran
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