Redshirt senior tight end De'Marieya Nelson celebrates a reception with redshirt junior Jaelen Strong during the first half of Saturday's game against Stanford. The Sun Devils beat the Cardinal 26-10. (Photo by Ben Moffat)In a first half every bit as suspenseful as ASU's matchup with USC two weeks ago, the one thing the Sun Devils lacked in the first 30 minutes of play in its rematch with Stanford was, well, the scoring.
A week of hype surrounding the starting quarterback decision was finally silenced when redshirt junior Mike Bercovici was named the starter.
ASU won the toss, and on its initial drive, appeared to be moving the ball smoothly, but ended in a pooch punt after just seven plays.
In just his third career start, Bercovici looked fresh and for the most part, an entirely different player than the one who was shaken against UCLA a month ago. He finished the half 11-15 with 113 yards through the air and a touchdown that came after senior wide receiver Ty Montgomery muffed a punt that ASU cashed in on, as Bercovici found redshirt on a three-yard strike to redshirt junior wide receiver Jaelen Strong.
Senior quarterback Kevin Hogan couldn't quite get things revving for the Cardinal offensively, though mixing up some nontraditional looks for a typically bland, pro style offense, including lining up in twins and trips formations.
Video by Stefan Modrich | Assistant Sports Editor
While Bercovici has demonstrated that the passing game is in good hands when he's under center, the same could not be said of the running game against UCLA or USC. But against the nation's stingiest defense (in points allowed per game) the Sun Devils outgained the Cardinal 158-64 on the ground.
Redshirt junior running back DJ Foster enjoyed a resurgence catching screens out of the backfield after being a non-factor in his last two starts, rushing for a one-yard score on ASU's first scoring drive, though recording just 10 yards on 12 carries in the first half.
The ASU special teams unit endured one of the most remarkable reversals of fortune yet, including a recovery of a muffed punt inside the Cardinal 10 yard line, and earlier, redshirt junior wide receiver Strong made a diving play on special teams to nail the Cardinal inside their own five yard line.
Stanford will start with the option to receive the second half kickoff.
Reach the assistant sports editor at smodrich@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter at @StefanJModrich
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