Episode 75 – UCLA Gets Sun (Devil) Burned

As for facing the Sun Devils, Arizona State has yet to lose a game to Colorado since joining the Pac-12.

The Arizona State Sun Devils (3-2) look to build on last week’s win over UCLA when the Colorado Buffaloes (3-2) come to town.

Arizona State took the ice for the first time as a Division I hockey program last weekend with a 8-1 walloping of rival Arizona at the Gila River Arena(that’s the Coyotes’ one in Glendale if you can’t keep up with the carousel of Phoenix arena naming rights) in front of a reported crowd of 5385.

UCLA offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone, left, with head coach Jim Mora before Saturday’s loss to Arizona State, admits his playcalling needs to be more aggressive. But were the Sun Devils making a cameo in the Pac-12 South race, or are they here to stay?

“Gaps and assignments have to be ideal because earlier in the year if they just happen to get past me, Eddie and Kenny (Clark), you had the best player in the nation on cleanup duty, ” Hollins said. In order to pull off the road upset, Colorado’s going to need to find a way to limit ASU’s pass rush, while also holding their dynamic ball carriers to a modest output. Running back Phillip Lindsay scampered into the endzone for a 16-yard touchdown run and kicker Diego Gonzalez added a 27-yard field goal to give the Buffs 10 points in the first half. Kareem Orr intercepted CU quarterback Sefo Liufau, and five plays later Kohl hauled in a touchdown pass from Bercovici.

Run a quick play that could go for 15 yards or more whenever he sends an all-out blitz.

Bottom line: If Arizona State is on top of its game, as it was against UCLA, it should be able to win this game, especially at home. Tim White was the favorite target for Bercovici who caught seven passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns.

And that’s the way it went for most of the evening, one that ended with the Sun Devils holding a 48-23 victory. However, they are 4-2 SU this season. UCLA was also without inside linebacker Jayon Brown due to a back injury, while corner Marcus Rios played only a handful of snaps after spending three nights in the hospital last week.

Former Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Jake Plummer knows about the daily pressure that collegiate athletes face to live up to expectations from fans and national experts.

Both goals were scored early in the game, with Kodi Lavrusky netting her second goal in as many games at 8:26 to give UCLA the early lead. Richard has emerged as a high-caliber option in his sophomore season, averaging 5.5 yards per carry and 101.6 yards per game with four touchdowns to his name. The two teams went to the locker rooms for halftime with the score at 3-0.

“It used to be nine or 10 plays, now it’s down to one or two or three”, MacIntyre said.

How do you see this game playing out in Tempe and what is ASU’s perception of the Buffs this year? After winning only two games in 2014, Colorado has already surpassed that total this season after five weeks of action. But, as we all know, things can and do change quickly and abruptly in this wild conference.