The kryptonite that had been ever so present for the Arizona State Sun Devils (6-5, 3-5 Pac-12) was noticeably absent in the first half of the Sun Devils matchup with No. 6 Oregon (9-2, 7-1 Pac-12). After allowing opponents to score on the first possession of the game in three consecutive contests, the Sun Devil defense was able to get off the field on the opening drive Saturday night in Tempe, setting the tone for the remainder of the night.
With an inspired defensive effort, the Arizona State Sun Devils completed the biggest win of the Herm Edwards era, upsetting No. 6 Oregon 31-28.
Defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales and the Arizona State defense dialed up the right calls, holding Justin Herbert and the Ducks down in Tempe. The likely future first-round draft pick was held to 304 yards and two touchdown passes while throwing two interceptions.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, redshirt junior Jack Jones intercepted Herbert, setting up a 26-yard touchdown to junior wide receiver Frank Darby which gave Arizona State a 21-7 lead.
After throwing for 334 yards and three touchdowns last week against Oregon State, freshman Jayden Daniels picked up where he left off, connecting with Darby for a 57-yard touchdown to open the Sun Devil scoring in the first quarter.
Daniels 15th passing touchdown of the year moved the San Bernardino, Calif., native into first in the Arizona State freshman single-season passing record, previously set by Rudy Carpenter’s 2,273 yards in 2005.
Throughout the night, Daniels ability to find Darby and senior Brandon Aiyuk on deep balls allowed the Sun Devils to move the ball in great chunks. Daniels was nearly perfect in the first half, completing his first 12 passes for 191 yards and one touchdown.
Daniels kept it going in the second half finding Aiyuk deep downfield for an 81-yard touchdown to put the Devils up 31-21 in the fourth. In total, the true freshman completed 22 of 32 passes for 408 yards and three touchdowns.
The Arizona State offense also outgained Oregon 535 to 458. Cristian Zendejas converted all three field goal attempts for ASU, each coming from less than 30 yards out.
Aiyuk and Darby allowed the Sun Devil passing attack to be successful throwing the ball vertically. Arizona State completed six passes of over 15 yards, with four of the six being gains of greater than 30 yards.
