Tempe, AZ–In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Sun Devils donned new maroon helmet gear with an arrow outlined in gold filled with Mayan inspired glyph patterns and a gold pitchfork logo on each side. Their maroon jerseys had gold numbers and letters with the black outline on each side and the AZ state flag shadow on their chests.
ASU’s defense were dialed into the game as Stanford only scored 10 points during Friday night’s home game at Sun Devils stadium. Stanford Cardinal quarterback Tanner McKee had two key throws intercepted, the first just seconds before halftime when a tipped pass landed into the hands of ASU’s Keon Markham. The second came in the 3rd quarter which led into a pick 6 by De’Andre Pierce from Jack Jones. It was McKee’s first of the season.
Sun Devils quarterback Jayden Daniels ran for a 51-yard touchdown off a fake handoff, wasting no time putting points on the board for Arizona. Their opening drive was 4:20 for 87 yards and 9 plays. Under Herm Edwards’s 4th year as head coach, his players are being recognized. Daniels was named Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week and LaDarius Henderson was named the Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week.
Arizona’s Elijah Badger gained his second touchdown this season with a couple lateral plays. He’s shown he has lots of talent and has capitalized on the reverse play-making positions drawn up just for him for two consecutive weeks.
Stanford’s offense were good at moving the ball and getting quite a bit of first downs, but the Sun Devil defense was better with holding the Cardinals to just 10 points. Arizona’s defense was rushed with 4 linemen most of the game. Defensive coordinator Antonio Pierce stated that at times he didn’t know who was in, he just knew the group he wanted in and they produced. With that came a few trick plays and the players were able to keep up and produce what the coach wanted.
The defense put on a lot of pressure and sacked McKee twice in the first half. Omarr Norman-Lott and Tyler Johnson were credited with sacks while BJ Greene and TJ Pesefea assisted with the defensive pressure.
After their season opener, Stanford switched from quarterback Jack West to Tanner McKee. Although West started the game, McKee played most of the contest earning him starting quarterback. McKee led the team with 15 completions, passing 118 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions against Arizona State. For Mckee’s single touchdown against the Sun Devils, he found Elijah Higgins for a 6-yard pass in the first quarter.
Stanford had opportunities to capitalize on Sun Devil turnovers, but were unsuccessful in doing so. DeaMonte Trayanum fumbled the ball on ASU’s 38-yard line when Ricky Miezan recovered the ball. Unfortunately with a few penalty plays, one of which the Cardinal’s were charged with an illegal block in the back causing a 10-yard penalty. Mckee’s pass was completed for a gain of 19. Stanford was trying to rally and scored before halftime. They were down to the 35-yard line but the pass was intercepted with .05 seconds left before the half. The Sun Devils got the ball on the 17-yard line and took a knee on the final play of the half.
For the past three weeks, Daniels had not been able to get any throws intercepted though he was sacked in tonight’s game. Senior Curtis Hodges had a better game than last year. He is currently averaging 21.3 yards per reception on 12 catches this year, making this his career high for 76 yards. Offensive Coordinator Zak Hill said “He wants to be really good, he has the physical tools (6 foot 8 frame) and he can run.” Hill also added “Hodges confidence has increased and knows that he can make the plays we just need to get him the ball.”
Although with the win and leading the first half 21-7, the Sun Devil offense didn’t put up any additional points. The final touchdown was from a pick by Jack Jones throwing a lateral pass to De’Andre Pierce who ran the ball 27 yards into the end zone. This didn’t come without some penalties the possession prior. ASU had infractions with rushing the passer, unnecessary roughness and pass interference.
The Sun Devils (5-1, 3-0 Pac-12) are now 3-0 in the Pac-12 with Friday’s night’s win over Stanford (3-3, 2-2 Pac-12). Daniels is currently having a great year. He finished 14-23 for 175 yards in the game against Stanford. Running Back Rashaad White carried for 96 yards and a touchdown. In total the Sun Devils had 255 rushing yards on 44 carries.
There were a lot of moans, ahhs, and cheering from ASU fans. One for Arizona’s running back Rashaad White as he leaped over Stanford’s safety Alaka’i Gilman and finding the end zone.
With less than 2 minutes left in the game, Arizona was charged with a delay of game penalty. The next two plays, Daniels took a knee sealing the win for ASU 28-10.
NEXT UP:
Arizona State @ Utah on 10/16 at 7:00 PM MT
