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INSANITY: 3 takeaways from the Arizona State Sun Devils' wild, record-setting win over Texas Tech

Posted at 11:08 PM, Sep 10, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-11 12:34:06-04

Insanity.

That's the only word to describe a game with more total points than the Arizona Rattlers and Philadelphia Soul combined for in the ArenaBowl two weeks ago.

Led by their record-breaking running back, the Arizona State Sun Devils notched 652 yards of total offense en route to a 68-55 home win over Texas Tech on Saturday night to improve to 2-0 on the season.

Here are three big takeaways from the Devils' victory.

1. The historic Ballage Barrage

Go here for more information on the incredible evening ASU running back Kalen Ballage just had. In the third quarter, the junior broke a school record with his sixth touchdown of the game. He added two more TDs in the fourth quarter to tie an NCAA record.

For the game, Ballage recorded 185 total yards and those eight TDs (seven rushing) on just 15 touches. Say: Who do you guys think will be the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week come Monday?

2. Wilkins hurdles again, delivers in a big game

His stats will be buried in the news thanks to Ballage, but quarterback Manny Wilkins was absolutely stellar in his second-ever NCAA start. The redshirt sophomore looked sharp all night, completing 28 of 37 passes for 351 yards and rushing 10 times for 55 yards.

And for the second straight week, Wilkins hurdled a defender, sending gasps throughout the Sun Devil Stadium press box. (Click here for his leap against NAU one week earlier.)

3. Gump dumps the Red Raiders

Yes, the Sun Devils gave up 55 points to quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Red Raiders. Yes, they yielded 612 yards of total offense and missed plenty of tackles. But ASU was able to outlast Texas Tech on Saturday thanks to a pair of defensive plays from a former running back.

Gump Hayes, who was converted to cornerback this season, picked off Mahomes twice in the fourth quarter to turn the tide in a game that had multiple lead changes. Like Wilkins, Hayes will be an unsung hero thanks to Ballage's ridiculousness, but it was his pair of late plays -- the only two turnovers of the entire game -- that made the difference and secured ASU's victory.