ASU Football: Sun Devils surprise with dominant first half, lead #5 Washington 13-0

(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)

It has been 21 years since Arizona State has beaten a Top 5 opponent. In the first half against No. 5 Washington, the Sun Devils displayed the blueprint to pull off the upset, taking a 13-0 lead into halftime.

The Huskies came to Sun Devil Stadium a perfect 6-0, untested through a lightly scheduled first half of the season. But in the first 30 minutes against ASU, Washington struggled against a sharp Sun Devil squad coming off its bye week.

After forcing Washington into a three-and-out on the opening drive, the Sun Devils put together perhaps their best drive of the season to open the scoring. Executing positive gains on the ground and a quick passing game, ASU marched 63 yards on 16 plays and scored on a 1-yard touchdown run from Kalen Ballage. ASU never gained more than 8 yards on any single play of the possession, but converted three third downs and a fourth down on its way to the end zone and an early lead.

That plan of attack proved to be effective all half.

ASU’s defense stayed dominant meanwhile, allowing Washington only one first quarter first down before passing the big-play baton to the Sun Devils’ special teams.

Early in the second quarter, a Washington punt was blocked by ASU true freshman Curtis Hodges. The 6-foot-7 wide receiver broke through the line to get a piece of the kick, setting the Sun Devils up with great field position in Washington territory. ASU settled for a 52-yard field goal from freshman Brandon Ruiz — his second 52-yard make of the season — to go up 10-0.

After another Washington punt, the Sun Devils began driving again. After converting another fourth down with a 1-yard quarterback sneak from Manny Wilkins, receiver Jalen Harvey hauled in a 36-yard pass to get the Sun Devils into the red zone. Ruiz came on for another three points, knocking through a 25-yard kick to stretch ASU’s lead to 13-0 late in the second quarter.

While the ASU offense found a productive rhythm, Washington labored for all of its 42 yards of first half offense. Lavon Coleman accounted for 54 yards of his own on two plays alone; Washington’s offense went backwards otherwise. The Huskies couldn’t crack a Sun Devils front that registered 3 sacks and smothered its rushing offense to a microscopic 0.1 yards per carry.

ASU is 2-0 when leading at the half this season. This is the first time this year Washington has trailed after two quarters.

First Half Stat Leaders:

ASU

Manny Wilkins (QB): 17-22, 125 yards, 0 TD-0 INT

Kalen Ballage (RB): 6 carries, 14 yards, 1 TD

N’Keal Harry (WR): 6 receptions, 40 yards

Washington

Jake Browning (QB): 6-9, 41 yards

Lavon Coleman (RB): 3 carries, 21 yards

Dante Pettis (WR): 3 receptions, 10 yards