Arizona State 27, Washington 17

Kalen Ballage burst through a hole on the right side and shrugged off a would-be tackler. Neither were the Sun Devils in their biggest comeback in five years.

Washington has struggled against Arizona State no matter where they play, losing nine straight to the Sun Devils.

The Sun Devils (5-5, 3-4 Pac-12) then reeled off 27 unanswered points to capture its fifth win of the season 27-17 over the stunned Washington Huskies.

And after Cameron Van Winkle missed a 46-yard field-goal try late in the third quarter, the Sun Devils tied the game on Mike Bercovici’s 32-yard touchdown pass to De’Chavon Hayes with 13 minutes, 52 seconds left in the game. “Here is where you got to do this”. The Huskies largely abandoned their running game in the second half.

Washington’s Jake Browning threw for 405 yards and a touchdown, but had three interceptions in the fourth quarter. “Just the way he inspired his teammates and the way he played, I was inspired”.

Now both teams are faced with the same dilemma: Win two of their final three games just to become bowl eligible.

Washington (4-5, 2-4) has been solid defensively most of the season, allowing the Huskies to stay in games.

NUMBERS: Arizona State’s D.J. Foster broke the Pac-12 record by catching a pass in his 49th straight game last week against Washington State.

Huskies freshman halfback Myles Gaskin had 108 yards rushing on 18 carries and scored on a 1-yard run for a 10-0 lead with 6:50 remaining in the first quarter.

Now with a cushion and the Huskies in full desperation mode, the Sun Devil defense feasted.

“The way he inspired his teammates and the way he played, I was inspired”, said ASU head coach Todd Graham. Spur linebacker Laiu Moeakiola also went out with a shoulder injury. The Huskies settled for a field goal.

SUN DEVIL TURNOVERS: Arizona State has been one of the nation’s best teams at taking care of the ball under Graham, ranking among the nation’s best in each of his first three seasons.

“We have to finish and capitalize on opportunities that they’re handing to us”, Browning said. “That starts with me”.

Much like OR did against Arizona State a few weeks ago, the Washington Huskies have brought curtains to prevent Arizona State from stealing signs. But the Sun Devils dominated in the second half.

Arizona State opened with a crisp scoring drive, capped by Ballage’s 3-yard TD run.

The defense felt the momentum shift.

ASU desperately needed Longino to help hold together a defense under fire that unexpectedly found itself missing several key players. Gonzalez’s second field goal of the game, this one from 23 yards out, gave his team a 20-17 advantage with 8:25 left.

If you don’t practice you don’t play.