ASU Football and winning close games were like oil and water not long ago. And then…

You remember the game. It was 2012 in Tucson. Arizona State was down 27-17 entering the 4th quarter.

With 8:39 remaining, Keelan Johnson landed a direct hit on Arizona QB Matt Scott who was leaping over one of his own players. ASU recovered the fumble.

2012 Territorial Cup: RB Marion Grice doing what he did best. Photo- Peter Vander Stoep for DHD

Moments later, Marion Grice, who rushed for 156 yards that night, ran in his third score. Not only did that TD tie the game, but it was a moment that marked a turning point for the Sun Devil’s winning ways in close games.

In the final 15 minutes of play, ASU had racked up 24 points leading them to a one-touchdown Territorial Cup victory (41-34) in Todd Graham’s first year.

The following season in 2013, ASU played in four games which were decided by seven points or less. They won three.

In 2014, it was deja vu all over again when the Devils played in four close ones, all of which were decided by under seven points including the Sun Bowl victory over Duke. Again, the Maroon & Gold prevailed in three of those tight contests.

Zane Gonzalez after his field goal to beat Utah 19-16 in overtime on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014. -Photo by Molly J. Smith for DHD

The Sun Devils have now gone 7-2 in games decided by no more than a touchdown since the 2012 Territorial Cup. That amounts to a 71% winning percentage.

To put that in perspective, since 2007 when Dennis Erickson took over the program, the Devils had a whopping 22 games decided by a touchdown or less. The result? This could hurt and maybe stir up some emotions for DieHard fans who went through it all. ASU went 6-16 in those nail-biters, good for a measly 38% winning percentage.

For a football program to go from winning 38% to 71% of their closest games is a sign of discipline, conditioning and focus. These are now hallmarks of Sun Devil Football.

Who knows how many games will come down to the final minutes this season, but you have to like the Devils’ track record so far.

#ForksUp

Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014 – The scoreboard at the Coliseum after the Devils scored on the Jael-Mary as time expired against USC.

Bonus Video from that key victory in the 2012 Territorial Cup