Ninety seconds.
That's all it took for ASU to jump out to a 17-3 lead in the first quarter against Notre Dame. From there, it was all Sun Devils.
With the Sun Devils just a three-point favorite against the Irish, most experts predicted a close game, between a pair of teams more evenly matched then when they last met in Dallas a year ago.
Both teams stalled offensively on their opening drives, with in a game that appeared would be dominated by a pair of stout, energetic defenses.
Dynamic senior quarterback Everett Golson led Notre Dame on a 14-play, 59-yard drive that enabled senior Kyle Brinza to knock a 46-yarder through the uprights.
Redshirt senior quarterback Taylor Kelly responded with a nine-play, 45-yard drive to position sophomore kicker Zane Gonzalez for a 47-yard field goal to even the game at three apiece.
The biggest question for ASU heading into today's matchup was whether or not the vaunted, revamped Sun Devil defense could contain the dual-threat of Golson, who while turnover prone, is capable of turning in explosive plays for the Irish.
Freshman running back Demario Richard carries the ball during the first half of the game against Notre Dame on Nov. 8, 2014. ASU defeated Notre Dame 55-31 at Sun Devil Stadium. (Photo by Andrew Ybanez)ASU's front seven more than contained Golson — they annihilated the Notre Dame offensive line — sacking him five times, and forcing two turnovers that led to points, including a fumble that a play later resulted in a one-handed circus catch by redshirt junior wide receiver Jaelen Strong.
It didn't take long at all for the warp-speed, high-octane, Kelly-led offensive attack to kick into high gear.
Senior corner Damarious Randall jumped in front of and intercepted a Golson pass tipped by senior defensive lineman Marcus Hardison, and Randall ran it back 59-yard yards untouched for a score.
That play increased ASU's lead to 24-3 and broke the game wide open, igniting the sellout crowd.
Kelly finished the half 12-20 with 160 yards passing and two touchdowns, including a perfectly-thrown deep ball, targeting Cam Smith on a 43-yard pass that landed just over his left shoulder and over the top of two Notre Dame defenders.
Despite a disastrous showing on both sides of the ball, Notre Dame managed to score in the closing seconds of the half, as Golson found junior wide receiver CJ Prosise wide open downfield for a 59-yard gain.
Three plays later, he found the leading Irish receiver, sophomore William Fuller(45 yards on four catches) for a nine-yard touchdown strike to close out the first half and reach double digits.
Golson finished the half 9-16 with 150 yards through the air and -7 on the ground.
The Irish have 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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