Oct. 2, 2011
Final Stats | Notes | Photo Gallery
TEMPE, Ariz. (Jessica Schott, ASU Media Relations) -
Arizona State (4-1, 2-0 Pac-12, No. 22 AP) overcame four turnovers by putting up five touchdowns on Oregon State (0-4, 0-2 Pac-12) to secure a 35-20 victory. Jamal Miles had a game-changing punt return touchdown followed by two bulldozing touchdowns by Cameron Marshall to lead the Sun Devil offense.
Arizona State started off a little shaky when Brock Osweiler’s pass was intercepted by Oregon State’s Jordan Poyer, resulting in the Beavers’ first field goal of the night.
“I don’t know, we just couldn’t get rolling. At times it seemed they almost knew exactly what was coming”, said Osweiler on the Sun Devils rocky start. Osweiler was 24-37 for 258 yards, two touchdown passes and three interceptions.
After a sack of Osweiler that resulted in a fumble, the Beavers moved the ball down the field quickly, but the Sun Devil defense held Oregon State to another field goal.
Later in the first, Poyer forced yet another interception by Osweiler, setting up an Oregon State touchdown that gave them a 13-0 lead early in the second quarter,
The Sun Devils kept their heads in the game by driving the ball down the field with two carries for 29 yards by Jamal Miles, setting up a 17-yard touchdown pass from Osweiler to A.J. Pickens. Alex Garoutte made the extra point, bringing Arizona State to within 13-7.
Miles had an explosive night with 45 rushing yards, 62 passing yards, 55 kick return yards, and 87 punt return yards.
After a Jamaar Jarrett sack resulted in a fumble, the Sun Devils capitalized on the turnover with a 24-yard touchdown pass to Gerell Robinson to give ASU a 14-13 lead.
After forcing Oregon State to punt on the ensuing possession, Jamal Miles gave the Devils another huge momentum boost, returning a punt 78-yards for a touchdown. It was his first career punt return for a touchdown.
“It was a turning point for us. It was a huge break in the game,” said Coach Erickson.
Leading by eight to begin the second half, Osweiler was again intercepted, this time by Anthony Watkins, setting up a touchdown for the Beavers, pushing the score to 21-20. Arizona State answered right back when they had to, thanks to a 37-yard touchdown run by Cameron Marshall. It was an amazing, highlight-reel dash in which Marshall broke at least five tackles on his way to the end zone.
“I just kept moving my feet, guys just kept bouncing off of me, and I was able to put it in the end zone,” said the junior running back.
After getting the ball back from the Beavers, the Sun Devils went back to Marshall, who didn’t let them down. This time he scored from eight yards out to give the Sun Devils a 35-20 lead.
The Arizona State defense did their part, forcing the Oregon State offense into five turnovers, including four interceptions. Alden Darby picked off two of them, the first two of his career.
“I was just overwhelmed and I was just happy, but I didn’t want to relax. I was still hungry. I was still out there trying to make tackles,” said Darby.