(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)
After a close first half where it struggled to contain SDSU running back Rashaad Penny, ASU football collapsed in the second half as its own offense sputtered. Penny finished with 353 all-purpose yards, a stark contrast to ASU’s lack of production on the ground.
The Sun Devils (1-1) fell to the Aztecs (2-0) 30-20 thanks in large part to Penny’s contributions, but miscommunications and poor offensive line play stymied them on the other end. Manny Wilkins had no protection and Kalen Ballage, who finished with just 44 yards rushing, couldn’t find the holes he desperately needed.
Both offenses were stagnant to start the third quarter until a backbreaking play for the ASU defense. After being forced out of the red zone by a sack and penalty, SDSU converted on 3rd and 21 as Penny caught a 33-yard screen pass for a touchdown.
The Aztecs tacked on a field goal to start the fourth quarter, taking their largest lead of the night at 30-14. ASU looked dead in the water.
If there were a bright spot in a rough game for the Sun Devils, it would be the play of Wilkins in high-pressure situations. Myriad miscues forced Wilkins to make quick throws or roll outside the pocket, and in those situations, he remained even keel.
A play that epitomized Wilkins’s demeanor came halfway through the fourth quarter. On 3rd and 37, Wilkins aired it out to Frank Darby for a 63-yard touchdown — the pair’s second connection on a big play.
A two-point conversion failed, and the Sun Devils couldn’t hold back the Aztec offense on the ensuing drive. Penny remained a massive problem for an ASU team that struggled to contain between the tackles and wrap up along the outside.
SDSU didn’t score on its final offensive drive of the game, but it chewed up enough of the clock to make a comeback more challenging for the Sun Devils. A last gasp of hope for ASU was drowned out by boos as the clock ran out on its final possession.
The Aztecs didn’t play perfect by any stretch, but the massive contribution of Penny and dreadful play by the Sun Devils was enough for SDSU to squeak out a 30-20 road win.
Next up for ASU is a road trip to Lubbock, Texas, where it will face a 1-0 Texas Tech team coming off a bye week. The Sun Devils are hoping to bounce back and avoid going 1-2 in out-of-conference play.
