Redshirt junior quarterback Taylor Kelly is tackled by UCLA during the game. The Sun Devils will face Stanford in the Pac-12 Championship after defeating UCLA 38-33. (Photo by Diana Lustig)PASADENA, Calif.– ASU survived an onslaught by UCLA in the second half to beat the Bruins (8-3, 5-3 Pac-12) 38-33 and clinch the Pac-12 South.
The Bruins came out hot to start the second half, going 79 yards in 10 plays finished off by a three-yard touchdown run by freshman phenom Myles Jack to make it 35-20 Sun Devils.
The Sun Devils (9-2, 7-1) were cold, going three and out on their first second-half possession.
Special teams came back to kill the Sun Devils again as the ensuing punt was muffed and the Bruins took over at the Sun Devils' 15 yard-line.
Redshirt freshman running back Paul Perkins rushed into the end zone from one yard out four plays later to cut the Sun Devils' lead to 35-27.
The Sun Devils responded this time as freshman placekicker his a 28-yard field goal, his 15th consecutive make, to push the cushion to 38-27.
The Sun Devils' defense remained unable to stop the Bruins' offense, though.
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Brett Hundley led the Bruins down the field and finished off the next drive with a 19-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Shaquelle Evans.
Sun Devils' senior safety Alden Darby intercepted the Bruins' two-point opportunity, keeping the score 38-33.
The Sun Devils stalled on their next drive, but the Bruins couldn't take advantage as sophomore placekicker Ka'Imi Fairbairn missed from 37-yards out.
The Bruins had one more chance for the win, but were unable to score. Reach the reporter at dsshapi1@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @DsShapi
