Redshirt senior quarterback Taylor Kelly throws a pass downfield during ASU's 52-31 win over Washington State at Sun Devil Stadium on Nov. 22, 2014. (Photo by Alexis Macklin)Despite an anemic first half, ASU football overcame an early deficit against Washington State and then hung on for a 52-31 win on Senior Day at Sun Devil Stadium.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Luke Falk got the red hot WSU offense out to an early 21-7 lead. Despite posting an impressive statistical performance, finishing with 601 passing yards and completing 45 of his 74 attempts, he was responsible for five turnovers, including four interceptions and a fumble.
Falk spread the ball around to nine different receivers, as senior Isaiah Meyers had 111 yards on seven catches and redshirt senior Vince Mayle had 15 receptions on 252 yards.
The defense's ballhawking proved to be the catalyst that enabled ASU's offensive outbursts. Sophomore linebacker Villami Latu forced the Falk's fumble and recovered it.
Falk's tendency to air it out came back to haunt him, as interceptions by senior defensive lineman Marcus Hardison, redshirt senior corner Damarious Randall, junior cornerback Kweishi Brown, and redshirt sophomore linebacker Salamo Fiso killed momentum on WSU drives.
Both defenses got to the quarterbacks, but it was the Cougars (3-8, 2-6 Pac-12) and its defensive line that agitated redshirt senior quarterback Taylor Kelly in the early going, sacking him five times.
Sophomore wide receiver Cameron Smith attempted to fill the void in redshirt junior Jaelen Strong's absence, racking up 131 yards on six catches and two touchdowns, including a 42-yard touchdown pass from Kelly in the second quarter to help fuel the Sun Devil comeback, and another from five yards out to help put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter.
Junior running back D.J. Foster rushed for 96 yards on 15 attempts, bursting back onto the scene with three touchdowns after being held four straight games without a rushing touchdown, he also caught five passes for 59 yards.
Kelly finished 15-25, with 232 yards and four touchdown passes.
Reach the assistant sports editor at smodrich@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @StefanJModrich
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