The Sports Xchange
Sep 19, 2015
Sophomore running back Demario Richard accounted for 255 total yards and turned two short passes into touchdown plays of 33 and 93 yards as Arizona State posted a 34-10 victory over visiting New Mexico at Tempe, Ariz.
Richard rushed for 104 yards, set a school record for most receiving yards by a running back with 151 and the 93-yard scoring play is the third-longest touchdown pass in Arizona State history. Senior quarterback Mike Bercovici passed for 317 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for another as the Sun Devils (2-1) defeated the Lobos for the 19th consecutive time.
Redshirt freshman running back Tyrone Owens scored on a 65-yard scamper for New Mexico (1-2). The Lobos were outgained 449-295 despite possessing the football for 36 minutes, 21 seconds.
Arizona State led by 14 points early in the fourth quarter and was backed up at its own 7-yard line when Bercovici spotted Richard by the left sideline. Richard caught the pass at the 25 and streaked down the left sideline to increase the Sun Devils' lead to 31-10.
Arizona State held a 10-point advantage at the break and tacked on another touchdown when Richard took a flare pass from Bercovici and meandered down the left sideline for a 33-yard score. The Lobos answered quickly when Owens broke free up the middle on his 65-yard scoring jaunt for his third touchdown of the season before Bercovici's 8-yard keeper made it 24-7 with 5:46 left in the third quarter.
Sun Devils junior kicker Zane Gonzalez booted a 22-yard field goal with 11:26 left in the first half to break a scoreless tie. Bercovici connected with junior receiver Tim White on a 14-yard scoring pass to culminate an eight-play, 80-yard drive to give the Sun Devils a 10-0 edge 37 seconds before halftime.