(Photo: Jack Harris/WCSN)
CORVALLIS, Ore., — After a year hiatus – and an extra week of waiting following last Saturday’s loss to UCLA – Arizona State is bowl eligible, clinching win No. 6 of the season with a 40-24 victory over Oregon State.
“It’s very important for our program,” Graham said of returning to a bowl game. “It’s very important for our recruiting. Obviously, it’s not our ultimate goal, but it’s something very important that you do every year.”
It had been a decade since the Sun Devils (6-5, 5-3 Pac-12) had last won at Reser Stadium, but ASU began Saturday afternoon’s contest scoring early and often, building a 30-0 lead in the second quarter before cruising into the fourth quarter with a four-score lead in tact.
Oregon State’s offense came to life as ASU dropped into a prevent defense though, scoring touchdowns on back-to-back possessions late in the game, drives sandwiched around a successful onside kick.
The Beavers were on the move again in the closing minutes, but quarterback Darell Garretson dropped a snap inside the red zone, allowing ASU defensive lineman JoJo Wicker to jump on the loose ball and extinguish the comeback bid.
For the first three quarters though, ASU was in the drivers seat.
“Our guys were very determined,” Graham said. “They came in here with a focus.”
Quarterback Manny Wilkins started the afternoon with passing touchdowns on each of ASU’s first two drives. Then the Sun Devils defense got a safety. Then Demario Richard found the end zone twice in the second quarter.
By halftime, ASU led 30-7. By the end of the game, the Sun Devils had put the finishing touches on its most desired win of the season — the one that will guaranteed a 13th game of the season.
ASU’s running game again led the offensive charge. Richard was electric from the game’s opening possession, a drive he took two handoffs for 18 yards. He doubled that total with his third carry of the game and continued to gnaw through the Beavers’ defense to finish the afternoon with 119 yards on 17 carries to go along with his 3 touchdowns.
“We knew our goal was to come out and play fast,” Richard said. “We see them on film. They have a hard time with tempo, getting lined up, so just came out and pushed the tempo. It showed in the first quarter. And the second quarter. And the third quarter.”
Wilkins used his dual-threat skill set, composing a 12-for-19, 167-yard day passing while also churning out another 60 yards with his legs.
“Our goal is to push the tempo. They got a little tired,” Wilkins said. “Executing our game plan, continuing to press on…At the end of the day, we came out with a W and that’s all that matters.”
There was a variety of faces on the end of Wilkins throws Saturday afternoon, especially after N’Keal Harry was held out of the offense during the first quarter. Freshman Frank Darby – who hadn’t made a reception since September – was a useful target early on, catching 3 balls for 49 yards.
Sophomore Kyle Williams began the game’s scoring when he hauled in a 22-yard catch on a post route in the end zone. Freshman Curtis Hodges caught his first career touchdown later in the opening quarter, going full-stretch on a corner fade route in the end zone for a 1-yard score.
Once Harry did enter the game, the sophomore tacked on 3 grabs for 68 yards of his own.
Rare was it ASU failed to move the ball on offense, suffering only a two three-and-outs all day.
Defensively, the Sun Devils were superior early on as well, before stumbling in the 4th quarter to allow Oregon State (1-10, 0-8) to hang around until Wicker’s fumble recovery.
The Beavers’ only first half touchdown came after a 36-yard double reverse run from wide receiver Trevon Bradford in the second quarter.
“We had a big emphasis in practice to stop the run,” linebacker Christian Sam said, who led the team with 10 tackles.
Even on its senior day, Oregon State was lifeless from the start, finding themselves trailing by two or more scores for the eighth time in 11 games this season. Their fourth quarter rally proved to be too little, too late to avoid a final home loss of the season.
Meanwhile, the Sun Devils kept from adding to their list of embarrassments in Corvallis, turning in a sought-after victory to ensure next week’s Territorial Cup game won’t be their last this year.
Said Graham looking back on the game, and the season: “I just love coaching these guys.”
