(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)
The name of the game was opportunity for Arizona State in its 41-30 victory over the Colorado Buffaloes.
Opportunity for freshman Eno Benjamin to run for his first career touchdown and help the Sun Devils erase a 10-point forth quarter deficit, opportunity for a defense that seemed to be reverting back to its old, susceptible ways for a second-consecutive week to slam the door on a CU offense that totaled 420 yards of offense, and an opportunity for the now-veteran Demario Richard to ice the game on a 63-yard scamper that sealed his career night.
Richard posted a total of 189 yards and a touchdown, but still saved all of the credit for the guys in front of him.
“It’s the offensive line 110 percent,” Richard said. “We worked hard all week in practice, and they’re starting to build their confidence when we play great games at home. I’m proud of them and we’re going to keep working like champions in November.”
The aforementioned three-play sequence brought the game into the balance and served as an outlier for an otherwise inconsistent game for the Sun Devils. Still, head coach Todd Graham’s team stepped up when it mattered most and didn’t let previous shortcomings dictate future success.
Spare Colorado’s second-to-last drive of the game — really the team’s last meaningful drive — the ASU defense reverted back to its old ways, allowing 454 yards of total offense and 30 points. It’s the seventh time this season the Sun Devil defense has given up at least 30 points.
“We just hung in there,” Redshirt Senior Defensive Lineman A.J. Latu said. “Like when Kobe [Williams] gave up that long pass we just came back to the sideline and we just let the offense do what they needed to do and then we went back out there and did what we did as a defense. I think we performed well when the time was needed.”
The Buffaloes didn’t deviate from the formula they’ve utilized all season. They fed Phillip Lindsay, who carried the ball 23 times for 80 yards and two touchdowns, until the game drew closer. The team then turned to quarterback Steven Montez, who’s averaging just 139 passing yards per game this season, to preserve a victory, then subsequently, bring his team back.
Limiting Lindsay was pivotal for a defense that embraced the “bend, don’t break” mantra throughout the contest.
“Colorado’s tempo is relentless,” Graham said. “They’re one of the fastest teams in our league, the fastest I’ve ever played against, Obviously, [Phillip Lindsay] is a great back and we did a tremendous job of keeping him in check.”
Still, Montez had CU in the driver’s seat entering the fourth quarter, as the Buffaloes amassed a 27-17 lead over ASU in the game’s first three quarters.
“I don’t think it matters that we were leading most of this game because of the final score,” Montez said. We lost. We just got to clear this and get it out of our head, watch the film, take what we did wrong, fix it and then go back on Monday and start our game plan for USC.”
Montez threw the ball 41 times, tying a season high, for 23 completions, 345 yards and a touchdown. It’s only the third time this season Montez threw for more than 300 yards.
Even then, Montez watched two deep balls that would’ve gone for touchdowns fall through the hands of his receivers, both were huge breaks for an ASU defense that allowed eight completions of 15 or more yards, two of which for 54 and 60 yards respectively.
“We missed throws, dropped balls and missed assignments,” Montez said. “All the mistakes we made in the first half caught up to us.”
The ASU offense kept pace and continued to bail out the defense, courtesy of career nights on the ground.
Tonight’s three-headed monster, comprised of Richard, Manny Wilkins and the surprise Benjamin, spearheaded a rushing attack that posted 381 yards on 54 carries and three touchdowns, one from each of the aforementioned three.
Benjamin alone chipped in with five carries for 52 yards, good for a 10.4 yard per carry average.
“I think he is a hell of a running back,” Graham said. “I think he’s young and I think he still has a lot to learn, he brings a different element to our team. I think for him this is huge because it’s a big confidence booster for him, just to have that feeling of getting into the end zone at Sun Devil Stadium and everybody cheering for you, it’s a great feeling.”
The Sun Devil trio helped clinch the game in its waning moments. It was Richard’s scamper, Benjamin’s career first and then Wilkins’ second effort, sealed the deal.
In truly opportunistic fashion.
“I just love this team, these guys are such a joy to coach,” Graham said. “To go into the locker room and listen to our players stand up and tell each other they love each other, and they love the school and love the brotherhood. Tonight was all about the brotherhood. It was a pretty special night.”
