(Photo: Brady Klain/WCSN)
The Herm Edwards era reached new lows Saturday night in Pasadena, as the Arizona State Sun Devils (5-3, 2-3 Pac-12) fell to the UCLA Bruins (3-5, 3-2 Pac-12), 42-32. After struggling to keep its composure last week in an 18-point loss at Utah – the Sun Devils were penalized 12 times for 122 yards – Arizona State followed up with another penalty-marred performance.
Arizona State’s troubles began on the first drive, as freshman tight end Nolan Matthews was whistled for consecutive false starts before junior running back Eno Benjamin lost his second fumble of the year.
Just as had been the case last week against Utah, the Sun Devils allowed a touchdown prior to the half. On both occasions, ASU was whistled for 15-yard penalties, this time sophomore safety Aashari Crosswell the guilty party, as he was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct for kicking the ball on an incomplete pass. In total, ASU was penalized nine times for 67 yards.
UCLA redshirt senior running back Joshua Kelley punished the Arizona State rushing defense all night, carrying the ball 34 times for 164 yards and four touchdowns. Just before the half, sophomore quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson connected with Kyle Philips for a 20-yard touchdown which gave UCLA a 28-7 halftime lead.
Freshman quarterback Jayden Daniels scored the Sun Devils opening touchdown, a one-yard rushing score which came on a quarterback keeper. It only took Daniels seven offensive snaps to surpass his offensive output from the Sun Devils’ 21-3 loss to Utah last week.
The Sun Devil offense opened up more of an air attack to begin the second half, as Daniels found Kyle Williams and Frank Darby for gains of 41 and 36 on the opening drive before an Eno Benjamin unsportsmanlike conduct forced the Devils to settle for a 30-yard field goal.
Thompson-Robinson’s second touchdown pass of the night gave the Bruins a 42-10 lead late in the third quarter. The Sun Devils 32-point deficit was the largest deficit in the Herm Edwards era at ASU.
Daniels completed 20-of-29 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns while adding a team-high 67 yards rushing and a touchdown with his feet.
Redshirt junior wide receiver Frank Darby led the Sun Devils in receiving with six receptions for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Daniels’ found freshman tight end Nolan Matthews for a four-yard touchdown score late in the fourth quarter, the first touchdown of Matthews career, and the first touchdown for an ASU tight end this season.
The Sun Devil defense’s 42 points allowed was the most points allowed during the Herm Edwards era. ASU allowed 393 total yards, and struggled on third down again, allowing the Bruins to convert on 7-of-14 attempts.
Arizona State will be on bye next week before returning to Sun Devil Stadium Nov. 9 to host USC.
