Tempe, AZ – The DieHard Storyline vs UCLA. Results:

Sun Devil football has a new reputation in the Pac-12 conference and across the nation.

Not only are they the new Pac-12 South Division Champions, but more importantly, they proved they could win the big game on the road when it mattered most. That will come in handy in the coming weeks as the next three games are just as important for the future of the program.

Here’s another look back at our “Storyline” going into the UCLA game along with the results from ASU’s critical victory.

Coach Graham and the team came out of the tunnel all business – Photo by Steve Kelly, DieHardDevil.com

ASU Faces Big Challenge With Fast and Athletic UCLA Defense

“Facing an extremely talented UCLA front seven will prove to be huge challenge for the ASU offensive line and QB Taylor Kelly in his zone-read decision making. The Devils will still look to run the ball out of multiple formations to keep the athletic Bruin linebackers honest.” – DieHard Storyline

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Kelly and the ASU offense set the tone early on the opening drive with a perfect execution of the read-option attack. In fact, they kept the athletic UCLA defense off-balance for the entire first half. UCLA made adjustments at halftime to slow down the ASU offense, but at that point it was too late as the Sun Devils put 35 points on the board before the break.

On the day, Kelly ran the ball a staggering 22 times for 99 yards. When you compare that to RB Marion Grice’s 95 yards on 18 carries, it shows how often Kelly pulled the ball back from Grice to run the ball unchallenged while the Bruins continued to cue in on the ASU back. Kelly and Grice kept UCLA off balance and frustrated them throughout the game. Even the Fox camera man was fooled a few times just trying to follow the ball.

OC Mike Norvell – Photo by Steve Kelly, DieHardDevil.com

Inexperienced UCLA Secondary

“Once ASU establishes their running game, look for play action passes from Kelly on multiple underneath and deep routes. Also look for Kelly to stress the Bruin defense by keeping the ball on zone reads and making throws on roll-outs. Some unpredictable play-calling by Mike Norvell will be designed to frustrate the Bruin front 7 and will go a long way in putting up points.” – DieHard Storyline

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The play calling by Mike Norvell was superb and the team executed it well. Although ASU gained 225 yards through the air, it was the timing of the pass plays throughout the game that resulted in 24 first downs. Look no further than the laser that Kelly threw for a TD to Jaelen Strong at the end of the first half, which to turned out the be the difference later in the game.

In the end, ASU’s offense had perfect balance, gaining 223 yards on the ground along with the aforementioned 225 through the air.

The Blueprint for the Sun Devil Defense

“The defensive ends will have to contain the outside in order to limit Hundley’s opportunities to tuck and run. Look for Jack in short yardage situations and anything near the goal line. ASU must stifle the Bruin running game and force Hundley into long down and distance passing plays.” – DieHard Storyline

#43 Davon Coleman and #90 Will Sutton hard at work getting to UCLA QB, Brett Hundley – Photo by Steve Kelly, DieHardDevil.com

As much as ASU tried to shut down Brett Hundley’s running game, he proved to be evasive and picked up big gains on some crucial downs. However, the Sun Devil defense contained two big threats: Hundley’s timely passes and Myles Jack. Also, although Hundley had some crucial runs, he finished the game with 5 total yards on the ground due to ASU’s 9 sacks for 60 yards.

Chris Young was incredible and earned Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week, Carl Bradford had the pick six and some big hits on Jack, and Will Sutton led the team on and off the field. The ASU defense is playing at an extremely high level right now.

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“Today presents a defining moment not only for the 2013 Sun Devils, but for a football program that for years has failed to “take care of its own destiny.” – DieHard Storyline

Mission accomplished — at least the first of three pivotal steps. Next comes the Territorial Cup with a chance to secure home field advantage for the Pac-12 Championship, then the Pac-12 Championship game against Stanford. Win that, and ASU will represent the Pac-12 in the 100th Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

The Sun Devils move to 9-2, 7-1 in the Pac-12. The Territorial Cup at Sun Devil Stadium is next.