ASU passing game rises up in victory over Oregon

Several receivers contributing in ’17

Arizona State on Saturday opened Pac-12 play with a 37-35 win over No. 24 Oregon at Sun Devil Stadium. It snapped a 10-game losing streak to the Ducks. It also improved the Sun Devils to 2-2 overall and 1-0 in conference action.

Let’s review:

3 takeaways

1. ASU’s passing game is a force. Check this out: Last year, the Sun Devils produced just one 50-yard pass play all season. This season they have six through four games, which ties for most in the country. Perhaps the best part for ASU: It’s not just one receiver getting loose. Five receivers (N’Keal Harry, Jalen Harvey, Kyle Williams, John Humphrey and Frank Darby)

have produced those 50-yard plays. Against Oregon, ASU had passing plays of 32, 63, 47 and 52 yards.

2. The onside kick was brilliant. ASU started game-planning for Oregon over the summer. I don’t know if the onside-kick idea hatched then or later but it was brilliant. After taking a 14-7 lead in the first quarter, freshman Brandon Ruiz executed it perfectly, catching Oregon off guard. Freshman Evan Fields recovered and seven plays later Ruiz kicked a 29-yard field goal for a 17-7 lead. Best way to silence an explosive offense: Keep it off the field. Excellent call.

3. The defense has hope. From Day 1, defensive coordinator Phil Bennett has been completely honest about his group. We’re not going to be dominating, he said. This is a journey. Through four weeks, ASU has had rough patches, but it’s also showed improvement. Playing without injured rush specialist Koron Crump – who could miss the rest of the season – the Sun Devils held Oregon to a season-low 401 yards. Last year, ASU held only one Pac-12 opponent (Washington State) to fewer yards.

Offense

Another step forward. Down 35-34 with 6:32 to go, ASU drove 57 yards in 11 plays, setting up Ruiz’s 41-yard field goal that proved to be the game winner. Even though the drive produced just three points, this was the offense’s biggest statement of the season. Junior QB Manny Wilkins was poised. Senior RB Demario Richard ran tough between the tackles. Junior WR Jalen Harvey made a key third-down catch. Overall, ASU gained 489 yards, 142 on the ground.

Grade: B+

Defense

After Ruiz’s field goal gave ASU the lead, Oregon had 2:25 to get in field-goal range. The Sun Devils held. The night’s biggest improvement: Third-down defense. Entering the contest, ASU had been the worst in the country at getting off the field on third down. This time, they pressured more, rushing Oregon QB Justin Herbert into quick decisions. Result: The Ducks converted just 1 of 11. ASU still gave up seven plays of 20-plus yards, but only one stretched longer than 31, the result of a missed tackle from junior safety Dasmond Tautalatasi.

Grade: B

Special teams

The graduation of Zane Gonzalez – the best kicker in school history – didn’t cause a lot of concern within the ASU coaching offices because of the arrival of Brandon Ruiz. The freshman kicker showed why Saturday, kicking the goahead field goal with six minutes left. Earlier, Ruiz had connected from 29 and 24 yards.

Grade:B

Up next

ASU visits Stanford at 1 p.m. on Saturday. The Cardinal (2-2) beat UCLA 5834 on Saturday.