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Ballage's huge kickoff return sets up ASU's go-ahead TD

Dec 27, 2014

Duke was on a roll after taking a 31-30 lead with 5:03 remaining in the fourth quarter against Arizona State in the Sun Bowl in El Paso. Blue Devils head coach David Cutcliffe was calling all the right shots, converting one fourth down on a fake punt and another for a touchdown on a wide receiver pass. The Blue Devils had roared back from 17 down in the second quarter and 13 down in the third and looked prime to win their first bowl game since 1961. The world was coming to an end.

And then Kalen Ballage returned the ensuing kickoff 96 yards to the Duke 4-yard line and order was restored in Sun Devilville. Quarterback Taylor Kelly completed a shovel pass to Demario Richard on the next play for a touchdown to give Arizona State a 36-31 lead, a score that would eventually turn final.