SUN DEVILS

Michigan State’s career victories list. Dantonio and Daugherty both have 109.

The Spartans’ defense was stifling all day, but Arizona State finally broke through on the final drive. Daniels, the Sun Devils’ freshman quarterback, ran 15 yards for a first down on fourth-and-13 from the Michigan State 28.

“Offensively, we knew it was going to be very difficult to run the football,” Arizona State coach Herm Edwards said. “We came in with a plan trying to get it out of our quarterback’s hand fast because they can hit the quarterback. They hit him a couple of times, but at the end the kid did good. He really did good. He made a lot of plays with his legs. I think that’s surprising for a lot of people — his ability to run, and he’s a smart runner.”

Benjamin’s touchdown put the Sun Devils ahead. That play also was reviewed, and Benjamin had just barely extended the ball far enough to score.

“He told me, ‘Just give me the ball. I’m going to win this game,’” Daniels said. “I knew once he got hit I knew that he got the ball across the plane.”

Elijah Collins had a 9-yard touchdown run with 8:37 remaining for Michigan State, but the Spartans blew a fourth-quarter lead against Arizona State for a second straight year. The Sun Devils won 16-13 last season.

THE TAKEAWAY

Arizona State: The Sun Devils showed they could slug it out on the road with the physical Spartans, and although they didn’t move the ball much, their young quarterback was impressive at the end.

Michigan State: Dantonio will have to wait for his milestone, and this game certainly wasn’t his finest hour. Although the kicking game cost the Spartans dearly, the disorganized finish didn’t reflect well on the coaching staff.

STREAK

Arizona State has scored

RARE MISSES

Coghlin was 40 of 48 on field goals for his career before Saturday. He missed from 47 yards in the second quarter, and Arizona State drove the other way for a 41-yard field goal by Cristian Zendejas. The Spartans appeared poised to tie the game late in the half, but Coghlin missed from 31 yards after a delay of game penalty had pushed that kick back.

Michigan State did not make Coghlin available to reporters after the game.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Michigan State will obviously drop, and it will be interesting to see how voters view Arizona State after the Sun Devils remained unbeaten with this tough road victory.

UP NEXT

Arizona State: Hosts Colorado next Saturday.

Michigan State: Visits Northwestern on Saturday.