Sept. 5, 2010
Box Score | Quotes | Notes | Photo Gallery
TEMPE, Ariz. (by Carmen Vitali, ASU Media Relations) -If there's one thing Arizona State wasn't short on it was offense in their route of the Portland State Vikings with a final score of 54-9. Sophomore running back Cameron Marshall seemed to be the question that the Vikings could not answer as he ran for three touchdowns on the night.
The Sun Devils' ground game ignited with a total of five rushing touchdowns. Marshall's first touchdown of the night came in the first quarter on a 38-yard touchdown run, which alone was over half his previous career game-high record of 72 yards. Marshall finished with three touchdowns and 104 total rushing yards on just four carries. True freshman Deantre Lewis and sophomore Jamal Miles each added rushing touchdowns of their own.
Newly-appointed starter junior quarterback Steven Threet did not disappoint. He completed 14 of 21 attempts for a total of 239 yards, two touchdowns and an interception against the Vikings. Threet's numbers were the most passing yards ever for a Sun Devil in his debut game. Both of Threet's touchdowns went to Lewis, one on a 28-yard catch-and-run at the 7:47 mark of the second quarter and another 62-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Lewis hit the 100-yard receiving mark in his debut with the Devils as well as 24 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
The Devils scored a total of seven touchdowns with 553 yards of total offense.
The Devil defense started right back where they left off, living up to their reputation as one of the stingiest defenses in the BCS. The Devils' D allowed just nine points, all by Vikings' All-American kicker Zach Brown on three field goals from 42, 53 and 47 yards. The Vikings' had just 256 yards of total offense in the game. ASU also did not allow Portland State inside the red zone once. Making his Sun Devil debut was junior college transfer Eddie Elder with a great first impression performance. Elder had three solo tackles, one assisted tackle and one sack of quarterback Connor Kavanaugh that resulted in a safety. He also recorded his first career interception with the Devils. Senior linebacker Colin Parker lit up the field with his seven solo tackles on the night. Junior Shelly Lyons and freshman lineman Junior Onyeali recorded their first career sacks as well.
The Sun Devils have now won their last eight season openers. Sun Devils Head Coach Dennis Erickson is 4-0 in season openers with the Devils.
The Sun Devils will face the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks on Saturday, September 11, 2010 at 7 p.m. at Sun Devil Stadium.