Redshirt freshman safety James Johnson celebrates with freshman linebacker DJ Calhoun after a defensive stop. (Photo by Alexis Macklin)In his first start at Sun Devil Stadium since Aug. 28, a 45-14 win over Weber State, redshirt senior quarterback Taylor Kelly looked poised and comfortable in the pocket, though it was his legs, not his arm, that was the primary tool of the ASU offense in the first half.
Kelly was able to spread the ball around, and not just to usual suspects like junior running back DJ Foster and redshirt junior wide receiver Jaelen Strong.
On a second-and-7 after ASU started its first drive at its own 28, Kelly found redshirt junior wide receiver Gary Chambers for a gain of 29, setting up a pair of ground bursts from Foster, and a first down from Kalen Ballage to bring the Sun Devils to the doorstep.
A 10-play, 72 yard drive stalled in the red zone when redshirt senior right tackle Tyler Sulka was whistled for a false start on a first and goal from the Utah 2-yard line.
Sophomore kicker Zane Gonzalez knocked a 20-yarder through the uprights, though, to give the Sun Devils the first points of the night.
Kelly wasn't alway sharp, however, despite throwing a touchdown pass and finishing 9-18 with 103 yards on the half. On fourth-and-3 from the Utah 36, junior linebacker Paul Gionni picked off Kelly's pass over the middle on a fake pooch punt.
Neither side was able to score more than three at a time until, with 7:12 left in the first half, Kelly led Strong on a gorgeous over-the-shoulder route in the corner of the end zone to cap a five play, 75-yard drive that amassed just two minutes.
Utah threatened at the end of the half, but ultimately was stopped short by ASU's defense, as sophomore kicker Andy Philips was good from 50-yards to put the Utes on the scoreboard with 9:13 in the second quarter.
Junior running back Devontae Booker led the way for the Utes with 64 rushing yards on 14 carries, while junior quarterback Travis Wilson — who finished the half 6-13, with 30 yards through the air, and just nine on the ground — drove the Utah offense down for another Philips field goal, nailing a 36-yarder to end the first half.
Utah has the option to receive the second half kickoff.
Reach the assistant sports editor at smodrich@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @StefanJModrich
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