Late Landing Lifts Duke to 3-point Win Over Arizona State within the Solar Bowl

[ad_1] Darian Mensah threw for 327 yards and 4 touchdowns to guide Duke to a 42-39 victory over Arizona State within the Solar Bowl on Wednesday.

Mensah, named the sport’s MVP, was 29 of 51 passing with an interception. He helped Duke to its fourth straight win and tied a Solar Bowl document for TD passes in a sport.

The Blue Devils (9-5) additionally gained 9 video games for a second consecutive season — solely the second time in program historical past they completed the feat.

Arizona State (8-5) was led by quarterback Jeff Sims, who was 27 of 38 passing for 375 yards and three TDs. He additionally ran for 70 yards and two scores on seven carries, together with a 38-yard run within the second quarter that tied the sport at 21-all.

The sport, which set Solar Bowl data for mixed complete offense (1,158 yards), particular person group offense (ASU, 619 yards), and most factors in a half (52 within the first half), was tied 3 times and had two lead modifications.

The Solar Devils took the lead at 39-35 on a 6-yard TD go from Sims to Malik McClain at 12:31 of the fourth quarter -- their first lead because the sport’s opening rating, a 4-yard run by Sims.

After exchanging possessions, the Blue Devils had been driving for a go-ahead rating and seemed to have it on an 8-yard go from Mensah to Cooper Barkate, however ASU’s Nyland Inexperienced knocked the ball out of Barkate’s fingers ultimately zone.

The Solar Devils took over with 2:51 remaining and seemingly in management, however Demarius Robinson fumbled on the finish of a 14-yard on the subsequent play. Kendall Johnson compelled the fumble and Ma’Khi Jones recovered for the Blue Devils on the ASU 22-yard line.

Two gamers later, Mensah linked with Que’Sean Brown on a receiver display screen to the left aspect and Brown broke a deal with en path to a 17-yard rating that regained the lead for Duke at 42-39.

Arizona State acquired yet another crack with simply over two minutes to play, however a Sims' go over the center was intercepted by Duke’s Luke Mergott, sealing the win.

The takeaway Duke was a small favourite going into the sport, not solely as a result of it was the ACC champ, but in addition as a result of it solely had two gamers who had been unavailable. Arizona State was with out 22 gamers who had been on the roster and performed in some unspecified time in the future this season, led by quarterback Sam Leavitt and huge receiver Jordyn Tyson. Leavitt, who has been out with a foot harm since November, entered the switch portal, whereas Tyson is predicted to be a first-round decide within the NFL draft. The Solar Devils had 4 gamers making their first begin, and 18 who had been on the gameday roster for the primary time.

Reporting by The Related Press.

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