Arizona State (3-0) has been shaky on defense, allowing 55 points and 540 yards passing in its win against Texas Tech alone, so Webb and the Bears could have another big game.
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On Saturday, the Bears will face another light-up-the-scoreboard team in Arizona State, setting up the kind of game fans love.
The Bears (2-1) are rolling to start the season, averaging 47 points while ranking second nationally in passing offense (453 yards per game) and third in total offense (580.3). Zane Gonzalez knocked a 22-yard field goal off an upright and through after Salamo Fiso’s interception.
McNichols did most of his damage in the first half, as the junior running back ran for 146 yards and touchdowns of five, six and 70 yards as well as caught a six-yard scoring pass. Tim White had six catches for 86 yards for Arizona State.
Those plays set up Webb’s 19-yard strike to Robertson for Cal’s first touchdown with 10 minutes left in the first quarter.
The Bears’ offense began to find its rhythm in the second quarter, with Webb throwing a touchdown to Hansen while their defenders continued to swarm the Sun Devils.
The Bears looked primed to build on their lead after a Darius Allensworth interception of Manny Wilkins gave them great field position, but an eventual missed 42-yard field goal by Matt Anderson kept Cal’s lead at one possession.
He would not play again in the first half, but returned in the second half. This miss was Anderson’s first in a span of 18 tries, stretching back to last season.
“You can’t throw two picks in the fourth quarter and expect to win, ” Webb said.
The Buffaloes led from the start and went up 33-17 following Montez’s 48-yard TD pass to Devin Ross to open the second half.
Arizona State Quarterback Manny Wilkins is a local product, out of San Marin High School and he got the nod to be QB1. This put the well-rested Sun Devil defense in a position to succeed – they managed to stifle the vaunted Bear Raid, allowing only three points and two first downs. They scored 10 points on their first two series of the second half, making it three consecutive Sun Devil scoring drives. ASU overcame a 16-point second-half deficit at UTSA last week.
Ballage is coming off a dream start to the season. I guess it’s all in your perspective.
Wilkins, of Novato, accounted for 362 yards of offense and four ASU touchdowns, three rushing and one passing.
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Both teams scored on their opening drive, as Oregon State (1-2) tied the score, 7-7, on a 14-yard run by Ryan Nall. “That hurt us”, Dykes said.
