ASU Football: Sun Devils sloppy in loss to No. 4 Utah

(Photo: Scotty Bara/WCSN)

In a game where ASU had to play their best all-around game of the year, they came up short against the No. 4 Utah Utes 34-18, and their 11-game win streak over the Utes was snapped. ASU senior wide receiver Devin Lucien had six catches for 118 yards, and Utah senior quarterback Travis Wilson was 26 of 36 for 297 yards and two touchdowns.

The game began as a defensive battle, with the first two possessions for each team resulting in three-and-outs. On the fifth possession, Travis Wilson got the first first down of the game, and also put his team on the board first.

Wilson led a seven play, 69-yard drive which resulted in a two-yard touchdown pass to sophomore tight end Harrison Handley, to put the Utes up 7-0. Utah struck first, but only managed to hold their lead for a few real-time minutes.

On the kickoff following the score, redshirt junior wide receiver Tim White showed everyone he’s still on fire and ran back the kickoff 100 yards for the touchdown to tie it all back up. Sun Devil special teams would strike again very soon, right after the next Utah possession. Redshirt junior De’Chavon Hayes returned the following punt 48 yards to the Utah 13 yard line, which would eventually set up a 34-yard field goal from junior kicker Zane Gonzalez.

Now trailing 10-7 and the rain pouring down, Wilson and the Utes crawled back into the game in a way they normally wouldn’t, through the air.

The senior quarterback caught fire in the first half and the typical two-headed monster of him and senior running back Devontae Booker on the ground was a non-factor, recording negative two rushing yards in the first half. Wilson led a 75-yard drive which resulted in two straight completions to senior wide receiver Kenneth Scott, one of them an 11-yard touchdown.

Wilson closed the half out 18 of 24 for 220 yards and two touchdowns, and they led 14-10 despite their nonexistent running attack. ASU’s redshirt senior quarterback Mike Bercovici on the other hand was 6 of 13 for 51 yards, and no aspect of the ASU offense could get going.

The second half began showing much of the same, with a punt from each team within the first six minutes. One thing that remained consistent was the pass rush from ASU.

Halfway through the third quarter the Sun Devils had recorded four sacks on Travis Wilson, doubling the total number of sacks Utah had given up all season. Sophomore linebacker DJ Calhoun had recorded two of those sacks.

ASU’s offense had finally shown a spark when Bercovici completed consecutive passes to redshirt senior wide receiver Devin Lucien for a total of 70 yards. The completions set the Sun Devils up inside the redzone, but a dropped touchdown by junior tight end Kody Kohl and a dropped catch inside the five by Tim White forced ASU to settle for another field goal and cut the Utah lead to one.

Following the field goal, Utah tried a cross-field lateral on the kickoff return inside their own end zone, but it was a forward pass. The penalty resulted in a safety, and ASU made a quick five-point swing and got possession of the ball.

The Sun Devils made it down the the Utah 26, and Gonzalez knocked in a 44-yard field goal to give ASU an 18-14 lead.

Both offenses were extremely sluggish up until 10:41 left in the game, and Wilson and Booker executed a perfect speed option for a 25-yard score to go up 21-18 following a poor punt from ASU junior punter Matt Haack to give Utah great field position.

After Utah hit a 43-yard field goal to extend their lead to six, ASU sophomore running back Kalen Ballage fumbled at the ASU 23 yard line, and Utah picked up another field goal with 4:25 left to extend their lead to nine which was too much for ASU to cover with that much time remaining.

Player of the Game: Defense

This is the second time I have given this to the entire defensive unit this season, but they outdid themselves against Utah. Five sacks and containing Booker for most of the game is not an easy task against this efficient Utah offense.

 

Biggest Concern: Offense

Thanks to the defense, this game was close. The offense didn’t score any of the team’s first 18 points. Mike Bercovici struggled for the whole first half, sophomore running back Kalen Ballage had a hard time getting going without his partner in crime sophomore Demario Richard, and there were multiple dropped passes.

 

Unsung Hero: DJ Calhoun

While it may not be unsung, Calhoun made the most of his opportunities. Calhoun recorded three tackles and two big sacks, and was a huge part in disrupting the impact Travis Wilson had on the game.

 

Key Statistic: 72 rushing yards for Utah

An offense that relied so heavily on the run from both their running back and quarterback, the rushing attack was nonexistent. Booker, who is considered a potential Heisman candidate, was shut down. Wilson had his best game of the year passing-wise, but couldn’t find any running lanes. Everyone played part in slowing down the run.

 

What’s Next:

ASU has a bye week, and their next game will be Thursday, Oct. 29 against Oregon at Sun Devil Stadium.

 

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