Wide receiver Jaelen Strong had 146 receiving yards in ASU's loss to UCLA on Sept. 26. (Photo by Fabian Ardaya)Valedictorian: Redshirt junior wide receiver Jaelen Strong
In a game where not many individuals could say they had a good game, Strong could. The big wide receiver caught 12 passes for 146 yards, leading ASU in both categories. Despite not finding the end zone, Strong came up with grabs all over the field, including some improbable ones that he saved from being incomplete or intercepted.
MORE: See all UCLA game coverage.
Despite getting no help from the defense, the offense performed admirably for most of Thursday's game. Redshirt junior quarterback Mike Bercovici went 42-68 for 488 yards and three touchdowns, but turned the ball over three times, leading to ASU's demise. One of the turnovers was a momentum-shifting 95-yard interception return right before halftime by junior cornerback Ishmael Adams, which swung momentum completely to UCLA. Junior running back DJ Foster was corralled the entire game, gaining under 100 total yards for the first time this season, but Strong provided Bercovici with a reliable option. Bercovici looked good for a quarterback making his first career start, but the unit can play better if they limit mistakes like turnovers.
The Sun Devils' defensive performance Thursday was, by far, the worst in the Todd Graham era. ASU did not get any pressure on redshirt junior quarterback Brett Hundley, picking up just one sack against an offensive line that had given up 100 in the last two-plus seasons. The defensive unit gave up big play after big play due to the fact that tackling was a major issue, allowing UCLA to break free for huge chunks of yardage. Once again, ASU did not force a turnover, which has to change if the team hopes to contain any of the potent offenses in the Pac-12.
The one unit that has looked like it has improved over the course of the season has been special teams. Sophomore kicker Zane Gonzalez hit both of his field goals, which comes as no surprise, and sophomore punter Matt Haack has gotten better with each game. The only struggle of the night was on kickoffs, as the unit allowed a return touchdown to junior cornerback Ishmael Adams. Other than that kick, however, the unit performed well, allowing 25 yards per return, which equates to a touchback.
2014 season in photos [slideshow_deploy id='149980']
Reach the reporter at mtonis@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @Tonis_The_Tiger
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