ASU players rise up in the face of adversity

Redshirt freshman Brady White made his first career start and won. Senior kicker Zane Gonzalez set a record. Then true freshman Dillon Sterling-Cole played for the first time in his career when White sustained an injury and later left the field on crutches.

But amidst it all, a much-improved defensive effort headlined too.

Entering the game, ASU’s (5-1, 2-1 Pac-12) defense had allowed point totals of 55, 28, 41 and 41 in order since its season-opening win over NAU.

On Saturday, the stingy defense was most highlighted by the Sun Devils holding UCLA (3-3, 1-2 Pac-12) to -1 rushing yard, which minimized the damage from giving up 444 passing yards. Bruins running back Nate Starks carried 14 times for 31 yards and Soso Jamabo gained just nine rushing yards.

Additionally, ASU had five sacks on quarterback Josh Rosen — who missed part of the game after suffering an injury in the first half — and backup Mike Fafaul.

“Going into this game, we knew it was going to be a defensive game,” said redshirt junior Marcus Ball, who started at Bandit (strong) safety instead of his usual Spur linebacker position. “Don’t get me wrong, though, Brady White stepped up and threw some tremendous passes. The receivers made some tremendous catches, but we knew to win this game, that we were going to have to bunker down and play some tremendous defense.”

The Sun Devils also forced four turnovers, three interceptions, and a fumble recovery.

Cornerback De’Chavon Hayes — who helped fortify the secondary with Bryson Echols after starter Kareem Orr suffered a game-ending injury — intercepted Fafaul on the opening drive of the second half, perfectly setting ASU up at the Bruins’ 4-yard line. The offense didn’t punch it in for a touchdown, but a Gonzalez chip shot gave the Sun Devils a 6-3 lead.

In the beginning of the fourth quarter, Ball intercepted Rosen and returned it 22 yards, leading to Gonzalez’s record-breaking 89th career field goal.

The play perhaps served as Ball’s redemption after his missed tackle led to UCLA receiver Jordan Lasley’s 52-yard touchdown on the Bruins’ previous drive, which tied the game.

“I saw the ball in the air, made a play on it and got the interception,” Ball said.”…I was just doing my assignment, doing my job, and came up with a big play.”

And with time expiring, freshman corner Robbie Robinson made his first career interception to seal ASU’s third win over UCLA in four years.

“It felt good getting a victory, that’s for sure,” said redshirt senior receiver Tim White, who had 11 receptions for 123 yards. “I think we played a great game in the second half and put in a couple points to get away with a victory and our defense did a great job and they showed exactly what they could do.”

The defense partially headlined the victory, but ASU’s special teams led by Gonzalez helped pave the way too, as it has in all of ASU’s wins.

Gonzalez tied and broke the NCAA’s career field goals record previously held by Dustin Hopkins of Florida State. He made three field goals, two of which paced ASU during another slow start offensively.

Gonzalez said his father left him a text regarding the record, but was asleep when the game ended because he has worked on Sunday.

“Anytime you can hold a national record, that speaks volumes,” he said. “It’s just a good way to go out senior year.”

The fact he is now a record-holder hasn’t set in yet, Gonzalez said. But he is relieved the journey to it is over.

Prior to the record-breaking kick, he said nerves took over a bit, especially because the record wasn’t the only thing on the line at that point.

“The game was tied, we needed three points,” Gonzalez said. “It was always in the back of my head, I’m not going to lie, but we needed three points. Those three points ended up winning the game for us, so it was awesome.”