Today in Sun Devil History: Iconic Play Wins Classic vs USC

Arizona State's Pac-12 title hopes stayed alive with this shocking victory.

Oct 4, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils receiver Jaelen Strong (21) celebrates with receiver Cameron Smith (6) after catching a 53-yard touchdown pass on the final play of the game against the Southern California Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Arizona State defeated USC 38-34. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

TEMPE -- Kenny Dillingham has the Arizona State Sun Devil football program operating to a level not seen in at least a decade - having taken the program to the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history in 2024.

October 4 is a reminder of a time in the past of the program in which fans were truly engaged with the team in place - on this day the 2014 Sun Devils stormed back to secure an unlikely victory over the USC Trojans to keep their Pac-12 title hopes alive.

Oct 4, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA: Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Mike Bercovici (2) throws a pass against the Southern California Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Arizona State on SI revisits what happened on that incredible night below.

The Context

Arizona State entered the season ranked 19th in the nation - and won the first three games of the season convincingly.

However, star QB Taylor Kelly broke a bone in his foot in the week three victory over Colorado - forcing him out of the lineup for the week five game against UCLA out of a bye week.

The Sun Devils dropped backup quarterback Mike Bercovici's debut as a starter by a score of 62-27 - and faced a trip to 16th-ranked USC the following week.

Oct 4, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA: Arizona State Sun Devils receiver Jaelen Strong (21) celebrates with teammates after catching a 53-yard touchdown pass on the final play of the game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Arizona State defeated USC 38-34. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Game

USC started out with a 7-0 lead that extended into the second quarter - Arizona State responded with a quick touchdown drive that ended with a short Jaelen Strong touchdown catch, a dorced turnover on downs, and a 12-second drive that was finished by a 77-yard touchdown from strong.

A two-point conversion made a statement and gifted Arizona State a 15-7 lead. USC responded in their own right with a touchdown and field goal to take a 17-15 lead into halftime.

The third quarter featured a trade-off of field goals - the final 15 minutes is truly what contributed to making this game a classic.

Oct 4, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA: Arizona State Sun Devils receiver Jaelen Strong (21) catches a 77-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter against the Southern California Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Trojans opened up the fourth quarter with a Cody Kessler rushing touchdown that built up the lead to 27-18 - and very nearly scored another touchdown before Arizona State safety Demarious Randall forced a fumble at the doorstep of the goal line.

Bercovici put together a 98-yard touchdown drive in under three minutes brought the game back within reach - a quick USC touchdown seemingly put the game back out of reach again before another one-play drive afforded Arizona State another chance.

Bercovici had 23 seconds to orchestrate a game-winning drive - finding Gary Chambers on a 26 yard play to give the team a one-play shot to win with seven seconds remaining.

Oct 4, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils receiver Jaelen Strong (21) celebrates with teammates D.J. Foster (8) and Cameron Smith (6) after catching a 46-yard touchdown pass on the final play of the game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Arizona State defeated USC 38-34. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Bercovici threw up a prayer on a wall of three USC defenders - Strong high-pointed the ball and scored with ease in one of the most shocking plays in recent college football memory. The rest was history and Arizona State enjoyed one of the high points of the program that night prior to the magical 2024 season.

Read more on major takeaways from Arizona State's clutch-time victory over TCU here, and more on why Arizona State fans should be feeling confident about the outlook of the season following the win here.

Please let us know your thoughts when you like our Facebook page when you click right here.

Please follow us on X when you click right here!