(Photo: Marlee Smith/WCSN)
In their long-awaited return to Tempe after back-to-back away losses and a second bye week, the Sun Devils (5-3, 2-3 Pac-12) look to break the slump as they host USC (5-4, 4-2 Pac-12).
With starting quarterback Jayden Daniels in sweats and a jersey but no shoulder pads, freshman quarterback Joey Yellen took the role of the starting position for a much-needed win for ASU. It was not a smooth start for Arizona State on Veteran’s Day Weekend with nearly every seat taken at Sun Devil Stadium, however.
The first possession of the afternoon started with an 11-play, 75-yard drive ending in a score for the Trojans — highlighted by a perfect drive from freshman quarterback Kedon Slovis. The freshman continued his perfect streak into the second USC drive as he orchestrated a six-play, 82-yard drive into the endzone.
Senior receiver and return specialist Brandon Aiyuk gave the Sun Devils life on his second kick-return of the game, taking one back 97 yards to set-up a touchdown from Yellen to senior receiver Kyle Williams.
It was a first-quarter to forget for ASU after allowing 297 passing yards and four scores to Slovis — capitalized by a 95-yard score to wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. In the first 15 minutes, ASU totaled one-yard compared to USC’s 315.
After an interception in USC’s territory on the first drive of the second quarter for Yellen, the quarterback bounced back on ASU’s second possession of the quarter, finding receiver Frank Darby in stride for a 62-yard touchdown to slowly close the gap and make it 28-13.
While the Sun Devils had a chance to make it just a one-score deficit to end the first half after a Slovis interception, ASU running back Eno Benjamin fumbled the ball in enemy territory — quickly ending any momentum the Sun Devils had.
In the first half, ASU defense allowed 385 total yards, including 347 yards and four touchdowns from Slovis. An ASU offense missing its centerpiece in Daniels ended its forgettable half with 177 total yards, including 176 of them in the second quarter. Yellen finished the half with 164 yards and two touchdowns.
