Arizona State Sun Devils drop out of AP top 25
Sep 28, 2014, 7:40 PM | Updated: Sep 29, 2014, 2:38 am
A brutal 62-27 loss at home on Thursday was enough to jettison the Arizona State Sun Devils out of the top 25 in the AP Poll after starting the week No. 15.
ASU dropped from No. 12 to No. 24 in the USA Today Coaches’ Poll as well.
A myriad of turnovers, poor tackling and an all-around lackluster performance doomed the Devils against the UCLA Bruins.
With starting quarterback Taylor Kelly out with an injured right foot, ASU turned to back-up Mike Bercovici. In his first college start, Bercovici passed for 488 yards and three touchdowns, but also turned the ball over three times (two interceptions and a fumble).
The Devils’ defense could not find its groove either, missing tackles and giving up big plays throughout the game. UCLA had three plays from scrimmage of at least 80 yards. ASU also gave up a 95-yard pick-six and a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, both plays courtesy of UCLA’s Ishmael Adams.
UCLA is now ranked No. 8 in the AP poll.
The Sun Devils will look to improve to 4-1 on Saturday when they travel to Pasadena to face off against No. 16 USC.