Eight days ago, the brother of Arizona State running back Marion Grice was tragically and senselessly killed in an alleged robbery over a pair of basketball shoes.
During Saturday’s 62-28 blowout over Navy in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, Grice led all rushers in the game with 14 carries for 159 yards and two touchdowns. All while continuing to deal with what is surely unimaginable grief.
The bowl was never close. ASU jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and led 34-7 at the half. The Sun Devils scored 28 points in the third quarter to put the game away for good. Quarterback Taylor Kelly threw for 272 yards on an efficient 17-of-19 passing. The win gives ASU an 8-5 record, the first winning record for the program since 2007.
But the story was Grice, who rejoined the team earlier this week after going home to Houston, Texas, to be with his family. Deservedly so, Grice was named the most outstanding offensive player for the game. While no amount of success today will ease the pain of his loss, perhaps it was able to bring at least a little bit of happiness to Grice, who more than deserved some.