Arizona State University - Sun Devil Spark / Sahuaro Yearbook (Tempe, AZ)

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Utah dampens ASU ' s title hopes in 24-23 upset While a demonstration by the Black Liberation Organization was sputtering outside the the Sun Devil offense seemed to be boycotting the end zones as ASU struggled to a 3-0 halftime lead over Brigham Young University. But the Devils exploded for three touchdowns in a 3:49 span in the third quarter to win their first WAC contest 23-7. Art Malone scored the first TD after a BYU pass interference call gave the Devils first down on the Cougar 11. Then, after being held on downs, BYU punted to the ASU 13 and Lenny Randle zipped 87 yards for another score. Four plays later Dave Buchan an scored again from 40 yards on a pitchout. The scoring spree ended as quickly as it had started as the offense went cold, but the defense was able to limit BYU to one fourth quarter touchdown. In Salt Lake City the Devils misplaced a 15-point lead as the University of Utah upset ASU to inherit the chief challenger ' s role in the WAC title race. The Devils scored early as defensive right end Junior Ah You blocked a Redskin punt for a safety. ASU hiked the score to 15-0 on runs of nine and 15 yards by Buchanan, but Utah scored once before and then erupted in the second half as QB Ray Groth picked the Devils apart. With Utah leading 24-15 Spagnola ignited a fourth quarter drive, hitting four times including a scoring toss. Malone got the two-point conversion to bring ASU within a point. With 3:30 left in the game ASU got possession on its own 37, but a penalty for illegal receiver stopped a drive that would have put the Devils into field goal range. Bob McCann booted a record 77-yard punt, but Utah ran out the clock for the victory. Rebounding from the slump, the Sun Devils put on their best all-around performance since the Minnesota win with a drubbing of San Jose State. The ground game was effective with Malone and Buchanan each scoring twice; Malone picked up 121 yards on 30 carries. Spagnola kept the air attack alive, completing 10 of 20 passes for 138 yards. Seth led the defense, intercepting three passes, and Randle scored the final TD on a 76-yard punt with 8:16 left. football -29

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lackluster Devils trim BYU 23 - 7; TOP LEFT: Headed by linebacker Mike Kennedy (55) and defensive end Mike Fanucci (84), the Devil defense stacks up a Utah back for no gain. TOP RIGHT: Art Malone sidesteps BYU ' s Chris for a six-yard gain. LEFT: Cougar Paul Sutorius watches a Spagnola pass sail high over the fingertips of ASU split end Cal Demery. ABOVE: The offense blasts a hole in the BYU line for halfback Dave Buchanan. RIGHT: Buchanan discusses plays with offensive tackle Jim Kelley during the Utah game. FAR RIGHT: fights for yardage against the tough Utah defense.

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resurrected Sun Devils stun unbeaten Wyoming and 30 - football, homecoming