ASU Football: Gonzalez Rewrites History in a Nail-Biter

The importance of having a good place-kicker is crucial to the success of any football team. Fortunately for the Arizona State Sun Devils, Zane Gonzalez has proven himself 89 times over.

On a 46-yard field goal with 12:28 remaining in the fourth quarter, Gonzalez hit his 89th career field goal, breaking a tie with former Florida State kicker Dustin Hopkins for the all-time NCAA record.

Gonzalez’s third kick of the night was ultimately the difference in a 23-20 victory over the UCLA Bruins.

“It hasn’t hit me yet. Once it does it’ll be a great accomplishment. It’s a great way to go out senior year,” Gonzalez said.

Coming off a somewhat stunning 41-20 loss at USC, the Sun Devils were able to rebound in almost every facet of their game.

Notably, redshirt freshman Brady White made an impact on the field in his first career start with starter Manny Wilkins sitting out from a lingering injury.

White produced a commendable start as he completed 19 of 36 passes for 179 yards and made several veteran throws, including a textbook pass in the seam for a touchdown to N’Keal Harry.

Senior wide receiver Tim White was the primary beneficiary of White as the White-White combination led to a final stat line of 11 catches for 123 yards.

“Brady did a great job tonight,” White said. “We are trying to build the chemistry every game.”

However, the rookie’s night was cut short after sustaining a leg injury that knocked him out of the game and forced head coach Todd Graham to waive Dillon Sterling-Cole’s redshirt.

When asked if he had a status update on his quarterback, Graham said, “No. I don’t know. I mean, I do know but I’m not going to say anything right now until I know for sure.”

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If Wilkins is unable to return against Colorado and White’s injury is as severe as Graham has made it out to be, ASU could be forced to turn to the true freshman going forward.

Defensively, the first half was a stalemate as the teams went into the locker rooms tied 3-3.

Following an injury to Kareem Orr, it looked as though Todd Graham’s secondary would be even more depleted and subjected to more big plays downfield.

Insert Marcus Ball.

While the team did surrender three big gains, the hard-hitting linebacker turned safety made his presence known in the second half, notching 10 tackles and a key interception that led to Gonzalez’s record-breaking field goal.

“We knew it was going to be a defensive game,” Ball said. “ We had a bunch of guys step up filling in for injuries and we got the job done.”

Graham commended the efforts of Ball as well as Maurice Chandler, Gump Hayes and Bryson Echols in addition to the play calling of defensive coordinator Keith Patterson.

Patterson’s unit got after Josh Rosen and backup Mike Fafaul all game, compiling five sacks and nine tackles for loss while sending Rosen to the sidelines twice.

After a Nate Lese touchdown cut the ASU lead to 23-20, both teams held the other’s offense in check including a pair of sacks by D.J. Calhoun and Koron Crump on the final drive of the night to seal the victory.

Next: ASU Football: ASU vs. UCLA Rapid Reaction

Now 5-1 (2-1 in conference), ASU is atop the Pac-12 South standings alongside Utah and Colorado with a showdown in Boulder looming.

“It was a great team effort tonight,” Graham said. “I’m really proud of Zane’s monumental accomplishment. It was fitting that it decided the game.”

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