ASU Football: Sun Devils find rhythm on offense, blast New Mexico

(Photo: Zac Pacleb/WCSN)

In the final nonconference tuneup before opening Pac-12 play with USC, the Sun Devils tallied their second straight win against New Mexico, winning 34-10. Redshirt senior quarterback Mike Bercovici led the way for ASU, going 22-for-37 for 317 yards and three touchdowns. New Mexico’s redshirt senior running back Jhurell Pressley finished with 56 yards on 17 carries.

The first quarter was one that both teams would probably like to forget, with no points getting on the board until an ASU field goal with 11:26 left in the second quarter. Redshirt senior quarterback Mike Bercovici started out 0-for-4, and sophomore running back Demario Richard only gained two yards on his first two carries.

ASU’s first drive of the second quarter concluded in a field goal after failing on three attempts to score on the one-yard line.

The tables turned for the Sun Devils after New Mexico sophomore kicker Jason Sanders missed a 35-yard field goal attempt with 2:36 left in the second quarter. Bercovici then led the Sun Devils on an 8-play, 80-yard scoring drive capped off by a 14-yard reception from redshirt junior wide receiver Tim White. Bercovici went 7-for-7 on the drive.

Redshirt senior wide receiver Devin Lucien, who had four catches for 43 yards, was injured before the half and would not return.

Halftime did something for both teams, evident by their offensive surges coming out of the gates. Bercovici found Richard on a 33-yard screen pass for a touchdown to open the second half. The following drive, New Mexico responded with a 65-yard touchdown run from redshirt freshman running back Tyrone Owens to put up its first points on the board and make it 17-7 ASU.

Conveniently for the Sun Devils, their quarterback was hot. Bercovici led the offense on a 63-yard scoring drive which ended with him running it in from eight yards out. At the end of that drive, he had completed 15 of his last 16 pass attempts. This impressive drive made it 24-7 Devils.

Just when it looked like ASU was going to put it away, Tim White muffed a punt at the ASU 22-yard line, and it was recovered by New Mexico. Luckily for the Sun Devils, the defense stepped up and held the Lobos to a field goal.

The nail in the coffin for New Mexico came at the 13:26 mark in the fourth quarter, when Bercovici completed a pass to Richard, who proceeded to dart down the sideline for a 93-yard score. Richard finished with 104 yards on 14 carries and 151 yards on four receptions. The receiving yards were most by an ASU running back in program history.

Player of the Game: Mike Bercovici

The numbers speak for themselves, and his efficiency and ability to spread the ball around the field was a big reason why the Sun Devils ran away with this game. His rough start to the game was more than made up for after going on a streak of completing 15 of 16 attempts, and ending the game completing a pass to seven different receivers. Bercovici finished the game going 22-for-37 for 317 yards and three touchdowns.

Biggest Concern: Devin Lucien’s injury

Lucien left the game in the second quarter and did not return to the field. He was easily the Sun Devils’ biggest contributor at the receiver position in the first half, and while others stepped up in his absence, his departure was felt.

Unsung Hero: Laiu Moeakiola

The redshirt junior linebacker had a lot of responsibility for this game going against this triple option attack. Having to contain the quarterback as well as keep track of the pitch on the perimeter is something that was going to be crucial in this game, and Moeakiola did his job. He finished with eight tackles.

Key Statistic: Incompletions

Bercovici started the game 0-4, and was at one point 6-13. He concluded with only 15 incompletions.

What’s Next?

ASU opens up Pac-12 play facing the USC Trojans at home. The Trojans were predicted to win the Pac-12 South in the preseason Pac-12  media poll.

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