Details for Saturday’s game are below. 500 for the first time since Graham arrived in 2012. Running backs Demario Richard and Kalen Ballage broke tackles in a way that recalled the WSU defense in this year’s first few games rather than the one that held Arizona’s Nick Wilson and Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey in check. It’s at the core of why the offense led by Luke Falk goes by the nickname “Air Raid”. He finished 36-of-55 overall with one interception.
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Arizona State quarterback Mike Bercovici struggled, appearing to short-arm several passes. He completed 27 of his 44 attempts for 229 yards, one interception and no scores. By the way, Richard now has 13 touchdowns in his last nine games dating back to the Sun Bowl. Facing third-and-13 at the ASU 37, Falk was sacked by D.J. Calhoun, his 20th tackle and team-best fifth sack. “Unfortunately, we play two halves”. Bercovici ran over from the 1 to lift the Sun Devils to a 21-17 lead late in the third.
The Sun Devils, on the other hand, following the game, will take on the Washington Huskies next who are coming off a dominant 49-3 win over Arizona and will play Utah this Saturday as well. ASU entered the game ninth in the Pac-12 and 100th nationally on fourth down. From there the Washington State offense would drive 94 yards where Falk would find Keith Harrington for 23 yards to take the first lead of the game 14-17.
The Sun Devils are having an up and down season, now riding a two-game losing skid with a defeat suffered against the Utah Utes (34-18) and a 61-55 triple-overtime loss to Oregon.
Senior wide receiver Devin Lucien fumbled after a 21-yard catch, leading to Washington State’s first points: a 22-yard field goal, when the ball was forced out by redshirt sophomore cornerback Kirkland Parker.
The Cougars got the ball back at the Arizona State 16 on a 38-yard punt return by Gabe Marks. The 23-yard grab was the second play of 20 or more yards on the drive, topped only by a 38-yard reception by Robert Lewis. Through three quarters, Washington State had three plays of 20-plus yards. The Cougars had such firm control of the fourth quarter – outscoring the visitors 21-3 in the period – that a victory celebration with four minutes left on the clock was not premature.
The Sun Devils had a 14-3 lead over WSU and drove deep in to WSU territory. “We practice in the mornings so we’re very comfortable playing in the daytime”. Just didn’t do a good job of preparing them. Arizona State Sun Devils recorded 280.5 passing yards and 179.5 rushing yards while allowed 259.5 passing yards and 136.4 russhing yards with turnover differential of 0.6.
The Cougars replied with a 75-yard touchdown pass from Falk to Williams on the first play of the ensuing possession for a 38-24 lead.
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But the Cougars stuffed quarterback Mike Bercovici on fourth down and the Cougars managed a field goal on the ensuing drive.
