Sun Devils earn big victory over Cardinal

TEMPE, Ariz. – Mike Bercovici threw for 242 yards and a touchdown, Zane Gonzalez kicked four second-half field goals and No. 17 Arizona State cleared a big hurdle by running past No. 23 Stanford, 26-10 on Saturday night.

The Sun Devils (5-1, 3-1 Pac-12) scored the most points allowed by the nation’s top-rated defense behind a nice mix of run and pass.

Stanford (4-3, 2-2) labored offensively again and nearly tripled its nation-leading average of 10 points allowed per game on defense.

The Cardinal were shut out in the first half for the first time in 87 games and had 288 total yards against a defense that has struggled this season.

Stanford had one sustained drive in the first half, reaching ASU’s 35, but was forced to punt when cornerback Lloyd Carrington raced in from the edge and sacked Kevin Hogan for 10-yard loss.

Stanford didn’t threaten again and was held scoreless in the first half for the first time since 2007 against Washington State.