Just as things were looking bleak for the Sun Devils, the game took a 180 in the final sixty seconds. But it wasn't before the Golden Bears got in a few quality blows of their own.
Following suit to the high-scoring first, Aaron Pflugrad (on his last night in Sun Devil Stadium) caught a 17-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the second quarter. After the next Cal drive saw a handful a big plays negated by penalties, ASU couldn't take advantage as the only thing their offense could produce was a three-and-out and Josh Hubner's first punt.
After a fair catch, the Golden Bears proceeded to move the ball 71-yards, capping off the nine play drive with a one-yard C.J. Anderson touchdown. Then, following a quick Osweiler pick, the Bears added a 27-yard field goal to complete the 10-point swing.
With the game slipping out of their hands, the Sun Devils flipped the momentum just in the nick of time. Osweiler orchestrated a speedy touchdown drive in less than two minutes, hooking up with Rashad Ross for a 35-yard touchdown pass on fourth and ten (his second clutch completion to Ross on fourth down in as many attempts in the game). Then after Keelan Johnson recovered a Davon Coleman forced fumble on the following kickoff, Osweiler threw his third touchdown of the night to tight end Trevor Kohl, allowing the Devils to take 28-27 lead entering the locker room.
Osweiler winning the quarterback race against Zach Maynard with three touchdowns and 157 yards on 9-14 passing. But while Maynard has only 117 yards and no touchdown through the air, he has added 41 yards on a mere three attempts with a rushing score. While Cameron Marshall started hot, he's only averaging 3.9 yards a carry compared to Isi Sofele's 6.7 for Cal. Rashard Ross is the leading receiver with 85 yards and one TD on his three catches.
Arizona State will receive the second half kick looking to build off their two touchdowns in 29 seconds.