Bitter ending
Late ASU rally falls short on 2-point try in loss to Oregon State
CORVALLIS, Ore. - Six weeks into the season it didn’t look like the Arizona State Sun Devils were going to have much trouble qualifying for a bowl game. They won five of their first six games with two wins over teams that were then nationally ranked.
But the wheels have come off. The Sun Devils were dealt their fourth straight loss, this time falling to Oregon State 35-34 in front of 30, 980 on Saturday night at Reser Stadium. It was the third loss ASU has had to a foe that is under .500 on the season.
As has been the pattern in past games, the Sun Devils (5-5, 2-5) got behind, the biggest deficit being 14 points. They fought back, only to have a two-point conversion go awry, sealing their fate.
The stage was set for the dramatic finish when Brandon Aiyuk corralled a 12-yard pass from Jayden Daniels with 1:40 left to cut the Beavers lead to 35-34. The Sun Devil lined up to go for two, with Oregon State then calling time out.
When play resumed the Sun Devils lined up to go for two again. The handoff went to Enjo Benjamin who was hemmed in several yards behind the
line of scrimmage. Knowing he wasn’t even close to making it, Benjamin unleashed a desperation pass to the corner of the end zone that was nowhere close to being completed. It wouldn’t have mattered if someone had caught it as ASU was flagged for ineligible receiver down field.
Coach Herm Edwards did not regret the decision. He and offensive coordinator Rob Likens both said the decision to go for two had been made several plays earlier.
“You’re on the road, we were playing for the win,” Edwards said. “If we kick it and tie it, they still have time to go down field and they only needed a field goal. “
Had the Sun Devils capitalized on other chances, it may not have come to that. The visitors missed a golden chance early in the fourth quarter. Down 35-21 the Sun Devils drove deep into Beaver territory. Benjamin took a handoff at the 6 and was hit by David Morris at the 1. He fumbled and the ball squirted into the end zone where Oregon State’s Jalen Moore recovered for the touchback.
It was the fifth fumble for Benjamin, three of which the Sun Devils have lost. The junior running back did not lose one last year.
“Coaches see that one on tape, then they’re telling their guys to go for it, he fumbles,” Edwards said. He carries the ball out there like that and he’s trying to get extra yardage. No one feels worse than Eno right now.”
Daniels returned this week after missing last week’s game against USC with a knee injury sustained in the loss to UCLA three weeks ago. He ended up throwing for 334 yards, completing 24 of 36 tries but was sacked four times, fumbling on one of those.
“I felt good,” he said. “I just wanted to win.”
Arizona State tallied 408 yards offense. Daniels’ favorite receiver was Aiyuk who had 10 catches for 173 yards as well as 76 yards on punt return and 44 on kick return. Frank Darby had three catches for 66 yards, highlighted by a 24yard touchdown reception.
Oregon State racked up 393 yards with quarterback Jake Luton throwing for 288 yards four touchdowns. Isaiah Hodgins had six catches for 93 yards. The running game managed 131
The Sun Devils started the contest without five starters, four of those on the defensive side of the ball. Linebacker Merlin Robertson, defensive back Jack Jones, safety Aashari Crosswell, defensive end Jermayne Lole and tight end Tommy Hudson were held out for being late to a team meeting earlier this week. All but Crosswell returned the second time Oregon State had the ball back. Crosswell returned early in the second quarter.
The Sun Devils also suffered a blow when senior defensive end George Lea, the team’s most experienced linemen, went down with a lower extremity injury late in the first quarter and did not return. He was replaced by grand transfer Roe Wilkins who ended up with five tackles and forced a fumble.
After the game was over Lea was on crutches with his right leg in a brace.
It was the last road game of the season for the Sun Devils who are home next Saturday against Oregon, then again the following week against rival Arizona.