In its away tilt against No. 6 USC, Arizona State entered halftime trailing by just four points, before the defense shriveled and the Trojans emphatically snuffed out the Devils’ upset bid.

One week later, ASU returned to their locker room through two quarters with another top-25 team on the ropes, leading No. 21 Washington 24-17. And this time, the Sun Devils would finish it out, securing Shaun Aguano’s first collegiate head coaching win by a final score of 45-38.

So what was different between last week’s late meltdown and this week’s finishing surge?

Certainly, many will give the credit to backup quarterback Trenton Bourguet, who stepped up and led the Sun Devils to victory following an injury to starter Emory Jones in the second quarter. How did a defense that looked pedestrian a week ago, all of a sudden hold firm in the game’s most important moments?