By Jeff Alba for DieHardDevil.com

Carpe Diem Arizona State.  Seize the day.  On Saturday in San Francisco, the Sun Devil football team accomplished that goal and many others, and shined their brightest on a national stage in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl against Navy.  Final score ASU 62 – Navy 28.  The 62 points scored by the Sun Devils was a record for the Kraft bowl, and even better, a scoring record for any Pac-12 team in a bowl game throughout history.  This electric performance by the Sun Devils will go a long way with fans heading into the off-season and boost momentum in ASU’s final push in securing top recruits for the 2013 recruiting class.

Senior, Cameron Marshall, scores his final touchdown as an Arizona State Sun Devil.

The Sun Devil offensive attack went ballistic on Navy from their opening drive.  What followed was an incredible nine touchdowns on their first nine possessions of the game.  It was a beautiful display of efficiency and execution.  The Sun Devils finished their assault with 648 yards of total offense, including 272 yards passing and 376 yards on the ground.  After the game Coach Todd Graham said, “Our guys came to play today and dominated, so I’m really proud of them.”  Graham also added, “We felt confident going in that we would be able to score a lot of points.”  Navy head coach, Ken Niumatalolo called the ASU offense “a machine.”  On Saturday, quarterback Taylor Kelly and offensive coordinator Mike Norvell had that machine firing on all cylinders.

In addition to the scoring record that was set, Sun Devil tight end Chris Coyle surpassed Zach Miller’s single season reception record with 57 catches on the year.  Coyle had 6 receptions in 2011. What a difference a year and new offensive scheme can make. Coyle will be poised for another big year in 2013, and the tight end position at ASU has once again become a very attractive position to potential recruits.

#1 Marion Grice

In a day that had many interesting story lines, the most inspirational performance came from Sun Devil junior running back Marion Grice.  Grice made his return to the team to play the game he loves in honor of his brother who was killed last week in Houston.  Grice ran the ball with wings on his shoulders and finished the day with 159 yards and two touchdowns.  On both scores, he kissed the ball and pointed to the sky in reference to his brother. With his performance Grice earned the Offensive Player of the Game award. Well deserved.

On the defensive side of the ball, the big question and concern was how the ASU defense was going to handle Navy’s triple option.  It became evident early on that it wasn’t going to be a problem.  The speed, talent and preparation of the Sun Devil defense was able to contain any possible threat.  As expected, Will Sutton led the charge and was named Defensive Player of the Game.  After the game, Sutton was asked about his future and possible jump to the NFL next year.  Although his official decision will be made in mid January, Sutton added, “It’s more of a brotherhood here in college than it is in the NFL.”

VIDEO: Inside the Locker Room – Postgame Celebration

Todd Graham secures his first Bowl victory as the Sun Devil’s Head Coach

At the conclusion of year one in the Todd Graham era, Sun Devil football finishes the season at 8-5 with three consecutive wins to end the season. In his post-game press conference Graham said, “We’ve got a great foundation in place and we’ve got to keep our core together.  We’ve got a great group of guys coming back next year and I’m excited about the future.”  So are we coach, so are we.

Say something about it.

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