(Photo: Brady Klain/WCSN)
Arizona State played host to the Stanford Cardinal on Thursday night in a Pac-12 showdown and fell short 20-13.
It was a valiant effort from ASU, but another game in which they fell just a touchdown short.
The first quarter was a defensive battle. Both teams took some time to find their footing in this one as they traded three-and-outs to start things off.
ASU found it’s offense via the deep ball as Manny Wilkins connected with Brandon Aiyuk for a 51-yard completion to put ASU inside Stanford’s 20-yard line.
The drive stalled after that play and Sun Devil kicker Brandon Ruiz knocked in a 34-yard field goal attempt to give ASU a 3-0 lead with 27 seconds left in the first quarter.
Stanford ended the first quarter with just 39 yards of offense compared to ASU’s 79 and ASU ended the frame with a 3-0 lead.
ASU kick-started its offense with another nice play early in the second quarter as N’Keal Harry took a screen 14 yards, a nice sign for Sun Devil fans to see after his exit due to injury in the loss against Colorado.
That momentum was short-lived, as Wilkins fumbled the ball on a scramble just plays later. It was ASU’s third turnover on the season; the Sun Devils previously led the FBS with just two turnovers on the year. The team had 710 consecutive rushing attempts without a turnover prior to the Wilkins fumble.
Arizona State’s defense picked up its offense as the Sun Devils made a stand with Stanford inside the red zone. Junior kicker Jet Toner made a 21-yard field goal attempt to make it a 3-3 tie with 3:40 left in the first half.
Sophomore running back Eno Benjamin made noise the following drive with a 29-yard reception to put ASU at Stanford’s 31-yard line. The following play, the Sun Devils tried a trick play that featured Harry throwing a pass that was intercepted, giving ASU two turnovers in the half.
The turnover seemed to give Stanford momentum as they drove 76 yards. However, the ASU defense held its own, allowing Stanford a field goal just before halftime. Toner made a 23–yard field goal as time in the first half expired to give Stanford a 6-3 lead headed into halftime.
The second half got started quickly for the Arizona State offense as Wilkins found Harry for a 17-yard gain. ASU worked their way into field goal range and Ruiz capitalized and made a 24-yard field goal to tie the game at 6-6.
That was about all the ASU offense would produce in that quarter, as Stanford outscored them 14-3.
Stanford responded the very next drive. With Bryce Love leaving the drive with an injury, it was on quarterback KJ Costello to produce, and he delivered. Costello led an eight play, 75-yard drive that finished with a touchdown pass to senior wide receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside. With that, Stanford took a 13-6 lead with 7:55 left in the third quarter.
The ensuing ASU drive stalled and Stanford took advantage. The Cardinal drove 80 yards and running back Cameron Scarlett punched in a 1-yard touchdown to give Stanford a 20-6 lead with 2:45 left in the third quarter.
Wilkins threw his second pick of the season with 11:47 left in the game, but Stanford couldn’t capitalize and punted the ball away shortly after.
ASU wide receiver Ryan Jenkins made his first reception of the game count as he hauled in a 37-yard grab to set the Sun Devils up at the Stanford 27.
The ASU offense got their first touchdown of the game with 7:50 remaining as Wilkins scrambled for a 10-yard touchdown run to make it 20-13.
ASU’s defense forced Stanford to punt with 2:28 remaining in the game and ASU drove 67 down the field but couldn’t finish the deal as time expired on them. The loss dropped ASU to 3-4 on the season. All four losses were by a touchdown a piece.
The Sun Devils will look to rebound against USC next Saturday.
