NCAA Football Arizona State Sun DevilsPac 12 Football

Arizona State Football: Sun Devils Doomed By Turnovers In Loss To UCLA

Sep 25, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Mike Bercovici (2) throws while under pressure from UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Owamagbe Odighizuwa (94)during the first half at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The No. 15 Arizona State Sun Devils got off to a great start against the No. 11 UCLA Bruins and jumped out to an early 17-6 lead in the second quarter of  their Pac-12 conference home opener. After two interceptions by quarterback Mike Bercovici, that included a 95-yard interception return for a touchdown by UCLA cornerback Ishmael Adams, the Sun Devils started to meltdown. Arizona State couldn’t overcome 21 unanswered points by the Bruins,on the way to a 62-27 loss.

Arizona State came out of halftime down 27-17, only to give up an 80-yard touchdown pass from UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley to wide receiver Jordan Payton and couldn’t recover afterwards. The Bruins did everything right with four scoring plays that were longer than 80 yards and Hundley was flawless going 18-of-23 for 355 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in the rout of the Sun Devils.

Bercovici got his first start of the season and threw for his life while posting 42-for-68, 488 yards and three touchdowns in relief. The numbers for Bercovivi set Arizona State records for both attempts and passes completed in the losing effort. He was named the starter for Arizona State in place of Taylor Kelly, who suffered a knee injury against Colorado Buffaloes two weeks ago. The loss of Kelly was significant, and with the four turnovers the Sun Devils are now vulnerable without their star quarterback.

The last time the Sun Devils had four turnovers in a game was on Nov. 10, 2012 in a 38-17 loss against the USC Trojans. The mark is not something that is typical for Arizona State, but due to Kelly being out, UCLA forced the issue on defense with the rattled Sun Devils offense. The mistakes for Arizona State were a huge factor in the loss, and the Sun Devils will take responsibility to regroup.

It’s not going to get any easier for Arizona State as they travel to Southern California to take on the No. 18 Trojans next week on Oct. 4. Head coach Todd Graham will have the extra time to game plan with or without Kelly, but it’s a hope to have him back in the lineup.

Jeff Hauser is a Pac-12 football contributing writer for www.RantSports.com and a member of the Football Writers Association of America. Follow him on Twitter @radiohauser.

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