Sunday, September 06, 2015

Texas A&M downs Arizona State 38-17 at NRG Stadium

Photo by Jeremy Fletcher of BigShots SnapShots
Used with permission.
By Mike Stockman
Copyright 2015 Phoenix Area Sports
Feature Corespondent for TexSport Publications


HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 5, 2015) The Arizona State University Sun Devils began the 2015 football season at NRG Stadium, formerly Reliant Stadium,  in Houston, Texas against the Texas A&M Aggies. This was the first meeting between these teams, ending in a victory for the Aggies by a score of 38 - 17 on Saturday, September 5 in front of 66,308 screaming fans.

Scottsdale natives Kyle Allen (sophomore quarterback) and Christian Kirk (freshman wide receiver / punt returner) contributed to four of the five touchdowns for the Aggies in the win over the Devils.

Allen put the Aggies on the board first when he threw a nine yard touchdown pass to Tra Carson, senior running back from Texarkana, Texas, in the first quarter for his first touchdown of the year. In the 4th quarter, he scrambled for a 12 yard touchdown. With less than four minutes left in the game, he connected with Kirk on a 66 yard touchdown to put the Aggies up 31-17. Allen finished the night with a 139.4 rating - completing 15 of 26 passes for 198 yards, two touchdown passes, one interception, and one rushing touchdown.

Photo by Jeremy Fletcher of BigShots SnapShots
Used with permission.
Kirk was electrifying as he darted through the Devils' special team on a punt return for a 79 yard touchdown in the second quarter. Kirk ended the night with 106 yards receiving and 82 yards in punt returns. His two touchdowns were the longest plays of the game.

Devils' senior quarterback Mike Bercovici threw a four yard touchdown to tight-end Kody Kohl for the Devils' first score of the night. In the third quarter, Bercovici ran for a 19 yard touchdown bringing the Devils' within three for a score of 17-14. Bercovici would finish with a 109.8 rating, completing 25 of 41 passes for a total of 199 yards, one touchdown pass, and a rushing touchdown.

The Devil's only other points came from field goal kicker Zane Gonzalez, from 23 yards out with 4:16 left in the game.  He finished the night with two extra points for a total of five points for the Devils.

Aggies’ kicker Taylor Bertolet connected for a field goal in the third quarter from 19 yards out. He finished the evening making every extra point bringing his total to eight points.

Photo by Jeremy Fletcher of BigShots SnapShots
Used with permission.
The Aggies' defense was able to get to Bercovici for a total of nine sacks on the night, four coming from defensive end Daeshon Hall, a junior from Lancaster, Texas.The final score of the game occurred with 1:38 left when Carson ran 10 yards for a touchdown giving them a 38-17 lead.

 The Aggies, who are now 16-0 against non-conference teams since Kevin Sumlin became head coach, will be hosting Ball State in College Station for their home opener on September 12, 2015 at 6 p.m. MST. The game will be televised on ESPNU and radio coverage can be heard on TAMUSN.


The Devils, who have had back to back ten win seasons under Coach Todd Graham, will host Cal Poly in their home opener in Tempe, AZ at 8 p.m. PST. This game will be televised on Pac-12 Networks.

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