Arizona State football opens Pac-12 play against No. 12 Washington at Husky Stadium in Seattle on Saturday night. Follow along with this page for live updates and notes throughout the game.
Third quarter: Washington 20, ASU 13
Following Smith’s fumble, Washington and ASU traded punts. Washington has the ball at their 38 as the third quarter comes to an end.
ASU trails Washington 20-13 after three.
Untimely fumble
As ASU was putting together another patient drive following Washington’s field goal, running back Trelon Smith fumbled after a 3-yard pass from Manny Wilkins at the Washington 43.
The Huskies recovered and start another drive with good field position.
Smith fumbled on ASU’s prior possession, but was saved by receiver Kyle Williams. Not this time.
Another answer
So much for that three and out to end their first half. Jake Browning and the Huskies picked up where they left off, gashing ASU’s defense for gains of 10-plus yards.
ASU’s defense held in the red zone though, forcing Washington kicker Peyton Henry into a 29-yard field goal. ASU trails Washington 20-13 with 7:17 remaining in the third.
Second-half points
Again, ASU’s commitment to the rush made an impact on its first drive of the second half. This time, sophomore running back Trelon Smith got involved.
The Sun Devils rode two runs of 12 and 19 yards by Smith, as well as a defensive pass interference call on their first third down of the drive, to three points to open the second half.
Brandon Ruiz drilled a 41-yard field goal with 10:40 remaining in the third. ASU trails 17-13.
Halftime thoughts
By Greg Moore
Washington is leading Arizona State at halftime 17-10 at halftime thanks to a punishing ground game and the play-action pass opportunities that it creates.
ASU has been intent on establishing the run, but without the ability to strike over the top, it feels like the Huskies are slowly but surely wearing the Sun Devils down.
Here’s what’s happening so far, and why:
ASU RUN GAME: Offensive coordinator Rob Likens said early in the week that he wanted to establish a ground game. He wasn’t playing around. ASU’s first eight plays were runs to Eno Benjamin. He ran up the middle or to the left on each play of the opening drive, gaining 20 yards on six carries, including a touchdown run on fourth and goal from the 1.
DAWG PACK: Husky Stadium gets louder than the inside of a kennel at lunchtime when ASU has the ball on third down. It hasn’t seemed to affect ASU’s communication, but it’s got to be a boost for UW. Otherwise, the Huskies might be discouraged by allowing as many points in the first quarter as they typically allow in a game. UW came in with the second-best defense in the Pac-12, allowing just 10.3 points per game.
A CREDIBLE THREAT: UW’s running attack behind Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed has accounted for 104 yards. Whenever the Huskies have a player go over 100 yards in a game, they win. They’re 14-1 in games where a runner goes over 100 since 2016. That threat has opened up the play-action passing game that ASU hasn’t been able to solve. UW quarterback Jake Browning has found Aaron Fuller and Ty Jones for big gains after fooling ASU’s linebackers and safeties with handoff fakes.
ASU halftime stats
Manny Wilkins: 6 of 11, 32 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions.
Eno Benjamin: 18 carries, 78 yards, one touchdown.
N’Keal Harry: Two receptions, 7 yards.
Halftime: ASU 17, Washington 10
So much for playing to win the game.
After playing for a punt with less than two minutes remaining, ASU’s defense forced Washington and Jake Browning into a three-and-out.
However, ASU returner Brandon Aiyuk was unable to get much on his return, and the Sun Devils appeared content to go into the half without threatening again.
ASU trails Washington 17-10 at halftime.
Tucker down
ASU offensive lineman Casey Tucker, who was playing left guard tonight, was injured on the Sun Devils’ next possession.
It appeared like he got his leg rolled up on an Eno Benjamin run. Tucker has been a big part of ASU’s early dedication to the rushing attack in this one.
Red-zone stop
Turns out Washington can run the ball, too.
After rushing 12 out of 15 plays down to ASU’s 4-yard line, the Huskies were stopped three times and forced to kick a 26-yard field goal.
Washington is averaging 7.43 yards per play through four possessions. The Huskies lead 17-10 with just over five minutes left in the first half.
Huskies on top
Jake Browning is picking ASU’s defense apart.
Washington combined three plays of at least 17 yards in a five-play drive to take its first lead of the game, 14-10, with just under a minute left in the first quarter.
Browning hit receiver Ty Jones for a 19-yard touchdown.
Curls for Chase
You’ve heard of turnover chains.
But have you heard of turnover … bicep curls?
This is a thing apparently.
Early commitment
ASU’s poor rushing attack through three games (two of which came against stout rush defenses, no less) was well-documented.
To buck that, the Sun Devils chose to rush the ball eight straight times across two possessions for 38 yards.
After mixing in some passes, the rushing commitment is paying off. ASU put together an answer of its own on its second possession for a 10-7 lead off a 48-yard field goal by Brandon Ruiz.
Husky answer
And just like that, Washington has evened things up.
The Huskies put together a nine-play, 80-yard drive, involving five rushes and four passes, that ended in an 11-yard touchdown pass from Jake Browning to Aaron Fuller.
ASU and Washington are tied at 7 with eight minutes remaining in the first.
Husky trickery
ASU strikes first as running back Eno Benjamin rushes for a 1-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead on a fourth-and-1 play with more than 12 minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Benjamin appeared to fumble the play prior, but the fumble and Washington recovery were overturned.
All six plays on the drive were Benjamin rushes. That’s one way to change your rushing fortunes.
After the Sun Devils won the coin toss and deferred, Washington coach Chris Petersen dialed up some trickery on the Huskies’ first offensive play. It backfired as Washington receiver Andre Baccellia threw a pick to ASU cornerback Chase Lucas, who returned it to the Washington 20.
Jeff Metcalfe’s prediction
Does a second straight road game, forecast of rain, revenge factor, 70,000 screaming Husky fans and Washington’s talent level add up to ASU justifiably being a 17 ½-point underdog? I’m not so sure unless the Huskies are ready to take a big step forward offensively over their production against Auburn and Utah. This feels like it will be a much closer game, but for reasons listed, one that ends with ASU covering, not winning.
Washington 28, ASU 21
Saturday’s game
Arizona State at No. 12 Washington
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Husky Stadium, Washington.
TV: ESPN.
Be the first to comment