Redshirt junior wide receiver Jaelen Strong pulls in a three-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter a game against the University of Arizona, Friday, Nov. 28, 2014 at Arizona Stadium in Tucson. The Wildcats defeated the Sun Devils 42-35. (Photo by Ben Moffat)Before No. 15 ASU (9-3) looks forward to its Sun Bowl matchup against Duke, coach Todd Graham and his team took time Saturday night to reflect on the past season in their annual Sun Devil football banquet.
ASU is looking for consecutive 10-win seasons for the first time as a member of the Pac-10/12.
Graham said at Saturday's banquet seven of ASU's seniors will be earning their Master's degree in the spring of 2015.
Redshirt senior quarterback Taylor Kelly was a special honoree at the banquet in claiming the Pat Tillman Academic Award, capping off a week in which he was also named a National Football Federation National Scholar Athlete. Kelly, a three-year starter for the Sun Devils, threw for 1,874 yards and 20 touchdowns with five interceptions in 2014.
Running back Demario Richard took home the honors for the team's top freshman, running for 437 yards and two touchdowns in his rookie campaign. The team's top back was junior running back D.J. Foster, who was awarded the Whizzier White Award for the top running back after accumulating 1,648 total yards and 12 touchdowns in 2014.
Senior offensive lineman Jamil Douglas brought in multiple awards, including the Tim Landis Award for weight room performance and the Randall McDaniel award as the team's top offensive lineman. Douglas is among the Sun Devils expected to be selected in this spring's NFL Draft.
Another player potentially headed to the NFL is redshirt junior wide receiver Jaelen Strong, who received chants of "one more year" as he claimed both the John Jefferson Outstanding Receiver Award and the Danny White Offensive MVP Award. Strong, who has 75 catches for 1,062 yards and 10 touchdowns this season, told reporters he will not announce his future plans until after the Sun Bowl.
For the second straight year, sophomore kicker Zane Gonzalez claimed the Babe Alex Demon Special Teams MVP Award. Gonzalez converted 19 of 24 field goal attempts, as well as 47 of 49 extra point attempts.
Senior defensive lineman Marcus Hardison emerged as a star on the ASU defensive front late in the season, forcing crucial turnovers against Notre Dame and Washington State as he earned the Curley Culp Outstanding Defensive Lineman Award. His 14 tackles for loss led the team this season and he also had two interceptions and three forced fumbles.
For his efforts, Hardison was also named the Mike Haynes Defensive MVP for the season.
Redshirt sophomore Salamo Fiso capped off a breakout year by winning the Ron Pritchard Outstanding Linebacker Award. Redshirt senior Damarious Randall and redshirt junior Jordan Simone were named co-winners of the Darren Woodson Outstanding Defensive Back Award.
In the final awards of the night, Graham gave the Frank Kush Captains award to Kelly, Douglas, Randall, redshirt sophomore linebacker Laiu Moeakiola and redshirt senior tight end De'Marieya Nelson.
No. 15 ASU (9-3) caps off the 2014 season in the Sun Bowl against Duke (9-3) on Dec. 27 in El Paso, Texas.
Reach the assistant sports editor at fardaya@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @fardaya15
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