What to expect at this year’s Sun Bowl game
Arizona State (9-3) vs. Duke (9-3), at El Paso, 2 p.m. (CBS)
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Duke is looking for first bowl win since 1961 in third straight trip to one. Last year the Blue Devils lost 52-48 to Texas A&M and Johnny Manziel in the Peach Bowl. Two seasons ago, Duke lost 48-34 to Cincinnati in the Belk Bowl. Arizona State is making its fourth consecutive bowl appearance and third in a row under Todd Graham. The Sun Devils lost 37-23 to Texas Tech in last year’s Holiday Bowl, but beat Navy 62-28 two seasons ago in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. Both teams are seeking consecutive 10-win seasons.
KEY MATCHUP
Arizona State WR Jaelen Strong vs. the Duke secondary. Strong has already declared that he will forgo his senior season at ASU to enter the NFL draft. He has more than 1,000 yards receiving in all three years at ASU. The Blue Devils rank in the top 20 nationally in third-down defense and have held seven teams under 20 points. Their secondary is led by safety DeVon Edwards, who has nine pass breakups, four forced fumbles and 119 tackles. Safety Jeremy Cash is the only defensive back in the country with 100 or more tackles, 10 or more tackles for loss and five or more sacks.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Arizona State: QB Taylor Kelly is 141 of 244 passing for 1,874 yards and 20 TDs with just five interceptions. He has thrown a TD in every game but four in his career and is third in program history with 75 TDs passing TDs.
Duke: LB David Helton led the ACC in tackles for the second consecutive season, finishing with 125 this season. He had three games with 16 or more tackles.
FACTS & FIGURES
Arizona State is making its 28th bowl appearance in fifth trip to Sun Bowl. The Sun Devils are 13-13-1 in bowl games. … Duke is making its 11th bowl appearance and first Sun Bowl appearance. The Blue Devils are 3-7 in bowl games. … Duke’s last bowl win was 7-6 over Arkansas in the 1961 Cotton Bowl. … Duke has nine wins in a season for the second straight year for the first time in program history. … Arizona State is 7-10 against ACC teams. … ASU’s Graham is only the second coach in program history to take the team to a bowl game in each of his first three seasons. … ASU is 23-1 under Graham when leading at the half. … Duke WR Jamison Crowder has 276 career catches and needs eight to break ACC record. He needs 58 yards receiving for third straight 1,000-yard season. … Duke is 19-3 with QB Anthony Boone as starter.
