Backup QB Keller passes Arizona State past Purdue.(East Valley (Ariz.) Tribune)

Byline: Jerry Brown

EL PASO, Texas _ Arizona State's duo of understudies _ a second-string quarterback and a fourth-string tailback _ came up huge on a big-game stage.

And combined with a first-class performance from an inspired defense, the Sun Devils capped their best season in seven years with some thrilling late-game theatrics.

Subbing for the injured Andrew Walter, quarterback and Sun Bowl MVP Sam Keller threw for 370 yards and three touchdowns in his first collegiate start, the final one to reserve tailback Rudy Burgess with 43.9 seconds left to play.

Meanwhile, the ASU defense swarmed quarterback Kyle Orton in his final game at Purdue and surprised the Boilermakers, 27-23, before a record crowd of 51,288 at the 71st annual game.

"This is just about a picture-perfect ending for my career here," said ASU center Drew Hodgdon. "Sam had the same kind of mentality to the huddle that Andrew's had over the years. He's a positive, confident guy and he knew that he could get us down the field for that last score."

Burgess, pressed into service at a tailback position riddled with injuries and suspension, rushed for 125 yards and caught three passes for 64 more as the Devils (9-3) completed their first nine-win season since 1997 which, ironically, they capped with a 17-7 win over Iowa in their last Sun Bowl appearance _ with another backup quarterback (Steve Campbell) at the controls. But while Campbell threw the ball only nine times and tried not to lose, Keller threw the ball all over West Texas, and did what it took to win, completing 25 of 45 passes against a Purdue defense designed to rattle him. "Purdue brought the kitchen sink and Sam showed so much maturity out there," ASU coach Dirk Koetter said. "A comeback win in your first-ever start? What's wrong with that?"