After a first half heavy on defense and penalties, the Devils came out strong and forced the first three and out by the Illinois offense on the day.
Brock Osweiler found Gerrell Robinson on two key third downs and an Osweiler sneak converted a key 4th and inches at midfield to keep the drive alive. The drive appeared stalled but a fortuitous pass interference penalty gave ASU new life. That life was snuffed out as a tipped ball was intercepted by Jonathan Brown, who notched a sack on the previous play.
Fortunately, the ASU defense rose to the challenge and forced the second three and out in as many possessions.
The ensuing ASU drive was undone when Osweiler was sacked for the fifth time on the day, but the punt was muffed and recovered by Chris Coyle in Illinois territory. However, the drive was undone by a personal foul on Mike Marcisz and the Devils were forced to punt again. Good coverage pinned the Illini at their five yard line.
The Devils' defense, as they had since the first quarter, did it's job. Corey Adams made a sack on third down to force a punt that Jamal Miles fair caught at the Illini 45.
Some hard runs by a rejuvenated Cameron Marshall brought the Devils to the Illini 14 as the quarter ended.