The ASU football team got off to a quick start for the first time on the road this season to build a 42-14 halftime lead over Washington State.
Redshirt junior quarterback Taylor Kelly got the Sun Devils off to a quick start, finishing their opening drive with a seven-yard touchdown run after the Cougars went three-and-out to start the game.
Kelly and the Sun Devils extended their lead to 14-0 two drives later when Kelly rushed for his second touchdown of the night, this one from six yards out.
Senior safety Alden Darby stripped the ball on the next Cougars drive and the Sun Devils subsequently responded.
Kelly hit redshirt sophomore Jaelen Strong on a 6-yard slant, their fifth connection of the season, to make it 21-0 Sun Devils.
The Cougars struck back this time and on the first play of the second quarter, redshirt junior quarterback Connor Halliday hit sophomore receiver Gabe Marks on a 34-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 21-7.
Redshirt junior Deantre Lewis fumbled on the next Sun Devil drive but the Cougars couldn't respond, going three-and-out.
The Sun Devils pushed the lead to 28-7 on their next drive finished off by a Kelly touchdown pass to sophomore running back D.J. Foster, his second of the season.
The Cougars went three-and-out again on their next drive and Kelly and the Sun Devils struck on the next play with a 51-yard touchdown catch to sophomore receiver Rick Smith to make it 35-7.
The Sun Devils added to their lead on the final drive of the first half when Kelly threw an eight-yard touchdown to senior tight end Chris Coyle, his fourth of the first half, to make it 42-7.
The Cougars and Halliday struck back with a touchdown drive of their own to end the half, finished with a 15-yards strike to junior receiver Rickey Galvin to make the halftime score 42-14.
Reach the reporter at dsshapi1@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @DsShapi
