CORVALLIS, Ore. -- Derek Hagan has been breaking records since arriving in Tempe as a freshman in 2002.
So it was appropriate the senior was able to set a mark no ASU wideout has ever done before - catch for 3,000 yards.
Hagan accomplished the feat with less than five minutes remaining in the Sun Devils' 42-24 victory at Oregon State Saturday on a 45-yard pass from junior Sam Keller. On the play, Hagan also happened to break John Jefferson's school mark for career receiving yards - 2,993 yards set from 1974-1977.
"When you're playing a game, you really don't think about stuff like that," Hagan said. "But when you find out after the game, you just look back and think back about all the things that you've done since you've got here. To do all those things feels really great."
Hagan also eclipsed Jefferson's school record for receptions in a season by a freshman (30) with 32 and already broke Jefferson's career receptions mark during a 35-31 loss to LSU on Sept. 10.
After his first grab, Hagan's historic night was far from over. He went on to tie a personal best with 11 catches and set a career high with 193 yards to go along with two scores against the Beavers. Three of the grabs came in third and long situations, all of which eventually led to touchdowns.
"He's just a stud," Keller said of his favorite target. "He comes to play in the big games, and in the end when the dust settles, he's always the guy who's open, making plays. It feels good that I can come to him any time."
Hagan was instrumental in a 28-point explosion by the Sun Devil offense in the third quarter, making five of his receptions in the period.
"We knew their secondary was young, and we know we have a great offense," Hagan said. "It's just a matter of time before we execute."
He began the outburst with a 5-yard touchdown catch on play action. ASU had planned the play after seeing the defensive formation Oregon State lined up in on tape. The Beavers placed all seven of their defensive backs and linebackers in a straight line. After Keller's fake, Hagan slipped behind the Beavers' entire defense on the play.
Hagan scored again less than five minutes later on a 28-yard reception on third and 15. The Beavers brought a heavy blitz on the play, and Keller was forced to heave the pass early, but Hagan adjusted.
"I don't even think I saw it released because I was about to get waxed," Keller said. "It was all Derek on that one."
Before the play, Hagan screamed to ASU coach Dirk Koetter to run the post corner route, and his coach obliged.
"He was calling it, and he was right," Koetter said. "Sam threw that ball way before Derek broke (on the route). He threw it to a spot, and Derek went to that spot."
The score was the 24th of Hagan's career. He is one score short of tying Keith Poole (1993-96) and Doug Allen (1981-84) for most career touchdown receptions in ASU history.
Reach the reporter at christopher.drexel@asu.edu.