Devils survive Huskies, elements
QB Kelly struggles in return for ASU as rain, wind affect offenses
SEATTLE — Under coach Todd Graham, Arizona State has done a nice job of avoiding the “trap” games that catch so many teams this time of season.
After losing to Stanford early last season, the Sun Devils navigated a sevengame tight rope, winning all seven to land a spot in the Pac-12 Championship Game.
Entering Saturday night, coming off a big win over Stanford, many expected the Sun Devils to fall into a trap against Washington.
Didn’t happen, but the Sun Devils certainly didn’t make it easy on themselves.
In senior quarterback Taylor Kelly’s first game in six weeks, ASU defeated Washington 24-10 at Husky Stadium. Perhaps more impressive: The Sun Devils survived Mother Nature. This wasn’t the driving rain Arizona encountered here last season (losing 31-13), but the wind was just as fierce.
The Sun Devils improved to 6-1 overall and 4-1 in the Pac-12, staying right in the thick of a race that seems destined to sail end over end into the final week of the regular season. Washington dropped to 5-3 and 1-3 in coach Chris Petersen’s first season.
For the most part, Kelly — who had started 30 consecutive games before injuring his right foot Sept. 13 — looked like a quarterback who had not played in six weeks. His timing appeared off, and so did his passing, although the wind surely had something to do with that.
Still, with the game on the line, Kelly delivered. Tied 10-10, Kelly hit junior running back Deantre Lewis for 6 yards. He connected with junior receiver Jaelen Strong for 23. Kelly ran for 12. Then freshman Demario Richard ran for 18.
Finally, facing second and goal from the Washington 7, Kelly pump-faked and threw to junior Gary Chambers, who made a nice play, coming back to haul in the touchdown pass, giving the Sun Devils the lead with three minutes left in the game.
Kelly finished 14 of 25 for 180 yards and two touchdown passes.
Overall, neither team could find a rhythm offensively. Washington had no sympathy for Kelly’s rust considering the Huskies had to start Troy Williams, a red-shirt freshman quarterback forced into action because of a concussion to starter Cyler Miles. ASU totaled 285 yards, Washington just 231.
Leading 10-0 in the third quarter, the Sun Devils had a chance a chance to put the game out of reach when sophomore linebacker Laiu Moeakiola blitzed and forced a Williams fumble. Junior defensive end Demetrius Cherry recovered the football on the 1 and the Sun Devils appeared ready to take control.
They had four tries from the 1. They failed to score.
Two possessions later, Washington linebacker John Timu picked off Kelly and motored 63 yards for a touchdown, pulling the Huskies within 10-7 with 4:13 left in the third quarter. It was Kelly’s first interception of the season, his first in 85 attempts.
Early in the fourth quarter, ASU had another chance to build its lead with a field goal, but holder Mike Bercovici
More coverage
Go to sundevils.azcentral.com for more coverage from Saturday night’s ASU-Washington game, including: » Doug Haller’s video recap and analysis. » Postgame video of coach Todd Graham and players.
ASU uniform vote
ASU fans, the results are in for next week's Fans’ Choice game. We will announce the uniform combination that the Sun Devils will wear Saturday against Utah on “azcentral sports Tonight.” 10:35 tonight, Channel 12 could not bring down a high snap and Washington took over. The Huskies made the Sun Devils pay. Williams led the Huskies on a 15-play drive, covering 80 yards, that ended with Cameron Van Winkle’s 23-yard field goal that tied the game 10-10 with 7:14 left.
Kelly took it from there with the goahead score with three minutes remaining.
ASU freshman defensive back Armand Perry put the game away when he returned an interception 61 yards for a score with 52 seconds left.
Leading up to Saturday’s contest, Graham insisted the Sun Devils were not concerned about Saturday night’s weather conditions. That might have been the case, but the weather definitely was a factor for ASU’s Pac-12 matchup against Washington.
A steady rain started before the contest — and did not let up for most of the first half. But that wasn’t the biggest problem. Wind gusts causes issues for both teams.
It was not ideal conditions for Kelly’s
ASU schedule
Aug. 28 ASU 45, Weber State 14 Sept. 6 ASU 58, New Mexico 23 Sept. 13 ASU 38, Colorado 24 Sept. 25 UCLA 62, ASU 27 Oct. 4 ASU 38, USC 34 Oct. 18 ASU 26, Stanford 10 Saturday ASU 24, Washington 10 Nov. 1 Utah, 8 p.m. Nov. 8 Notre Dame, time TBD Nov. 15 at Oregon State, time TBD Nov. 22 Washington State, time TBD Nov. 28 at Arizona, 1:30 p.m. return. The quarterback completed his first pass, but it was deflected twice — once by ASU junior receiver Jaelen Strong, once by a Washington defensive back — before junior running back D.J. Foster caught it for a 31-yard gain.
The first quarter was a punt, pass and kick competition, minus the kicking and passing. Washington punted four times, ASU punted three.
ASU finally scored on its seventh possession. Fueled by a 23-yard run from freshman Demario Richard, Kelly hit Strong for a 16-yard scoring strike and a 7-0 lead. On its next possession, Kelly hit senior running back Deantre Lewis with a short pass that turned into a 36-yard pick-up.
Three plays later, sophomore kicker Zane Gonzalez kicked a 33-yard field giving the Sun Devils a 10-0 lead they took into halftime. The Sun Devils improved to 21-0 when leading at the half under Graham.