The ball spiraled as it descended toward Terry Richardson, and after it landed in his hands, he made the most important play of Arizona State’s win against archrival Arizona in November.

Richardson, a Sun Devil junior wide receiver, outmaneuvered cornerback Antoine Cason along the sideline and pulled in a third-and-10 throw from Rudy Carpenter for a 32-yard gain in the third quarter.

“You’re the first one who’s brought it up,” Richardson said to a reporter almost a month after the victory, which sent ASU into next week’s Insight Bowl. “I was thinking about that catch the other day, but no one has ever talked to me about it.”

What, you were expecting yet another reminiscence of Richardson’s 71-yard punt return, the most electrifying play of this year’s Territorial Cup game?

Yes, “The Return” might soon rival “The Catch” and “The Run” in Sun Devil football lore, but. . .

Arizona led 20-5 at the time of Richardson’s third-down reception and had all the momentum. ASU’s offense had been stagnant, failing to score on its previous six possessions.

Instead of another punt, the catch kept alive a drive that culminated in a touchdown that tipped the scales in the Sun Devils’ favor. And without his third-quarter heroics on offense, Richardson’s fourth-quarter heroics on special teams might have been too little, too late.

“Terry was actually a decoy, but the (primary receiver) got tangled up with the defender,” ASU coach Dirk Koetter said. “Rudy threw the ball so Terry could make the adjustment to the underneath shoulder. That was probably our biggest play.”

This near-forgotten reception by Richardson is revisited because of an important milestone that will take place at the end of the Insight Bowl: The end of the collegiate career of Derek Hagan, the most prolific receiver in school history.

Lost amid Richardson’s return-game achievements — he was first-team All-Pac-10 and second-team All-American — is the fact that he will be the most experienced returning receiver next season. Richardson thinks that he has pass-catching potential that is still untapped.

“I feel like I haven’t had the explosive year that I know I can have,” said Richardson, a two-year starter. “If I’m thrown the ball more, I think I’ll be able to produce more.”

This season, the 6-foot-1, 186-pound Richardson had 35 receptions for 449 yards, a 12.8-yard average and four touchdowns. In all four categories, his numbers are down from a year ago.

Part of the decline is that the Sun Devils’ offense spread the ball around more than in years past. Also, Richardson devoted much of his energies to improving as a kick returner.

However, receivers coach Darryl Jackson said that Richardson’s impact on the offense was still there.

“You can look at his numbers and say he didn’t get as many receptions and yards,” Jackson said. “The bottom line is: Has he been making plays and helping the team win? And he’s done that.”

For Richardson, the key to 2006 might be inside his head. Koetter said that he has been “content” to be the complementary receiver across from the record-setting Hagan.

“He has learned one (receiver) position, while Derek could play three positions blindfolded,” Koetter said. “If Terry chooses to apply himself a little more, the talent is there for him to have a huge (season). Terry has come a long way, but there is still plenty of room for improvement.”

Also, Richardson is a frequent participant in after-practice disciplinary running, which Jackson usually supervises.

“It’s what he does for extra conditioning,” Jackson said, chuckling. “He likes it. It’s good for him.”

However, Richardson has shown what is possible when he focuses like a laser on improving part of his game.

Last year, he was so erratic as a kick returner that Koetter demoted him, using Rudy Burgess in that role for a while. Richardson dedicated himself to that craft, and the results were spectacularly apparent: 15.9 yards per punt return (and two touchdowns) and 28.1 yards per kickoff return in 2005.

Richardson said that he plans to spend the offseason devoting the same attention to getting better as a receiver.

“I think improving at receiver is going to be easier than on special teams,” Richardson said. “As a unit, our offense is already explosive, and a lot of guys who know their role will be returning. On special teams, you usually start from nothing.”

The starting receiver opposite Richardson next year could be Burgess, a former wideout who has spent the last 1 years at tailback. Such receivers as Nate Kimbrough, Michael Jones, Chris McGaha and Brandon Smith will be

untested.

The unit will need a leader, and Richardson feels that he is qualified.

“I don’t want to have any regrets for my last season,” Richardson said.

“I want to make it to every workout. I want to be physically fit, strong and explosive. I want to lead by sharing my passion with the rest of the team. I want to represent Sun Devil football the way it should be.”