TEMPE, Ariz. – Quarterback Manny Wilkins threw for over 250 yards and scored two touchdowns but Arizona State saw its two-game winning streak snapped at the hands of visiting USC on Saturday night.
The Sun Devils (4-4, 3-2 Pac-12) put together back-to-back touchdown drives to end the first half and start the second, but the comeback effort proved to come up short in the 48-17 defeat.
"Obviously, you have to give them credit," said head coach Todd Graham after the game. "We have a good team, but in this conference you have to bring it every week."
Senior Demario Richard produced steadily throughout the night in this one, carrying the ball 15 times for 70 yards. The running back has now carried for at least 70 yards on four separate occasions this season.
Richard and the rest of the Arizona State offense looked solid early, answering the Trojans' (7-2, 5-1) first touchdown of the night with a 77-yard scoring drive of their own. The drive, which started at the team's two-yard line, was highlighted by a 70-yard pass to N'Keal Harry and was capped with a 39-yard field goal off the foot of Brandon Ruiz.
Ruiz, who entered the night tied for first in the country among freshmen in made field goals, now has 12 makes on the year.
The team's first end zone trip came in dramatic fashion later in the half, as a mix of good clock management, a big throw and catch and a lengthy review resulted in the Sun Devils taking some momentum into the locker room. Wilkins and the offense took over after a kickoff at their own 24-yard line with just 45 seconds left in the half but quickly marched down the field.
Set up around midfield with just one second remaining, a strong throw by Wilkins made it all the way to the goal line, where the ball was tipped and ultimately controlled by receiver Kyle Williams. The officials originally ruled that Williams was down a yard shy of a touchdown, but the call was overturned after a video review to make the score 31-10 at the half.
Arizona State didn't wait long to score its second touchdown of the night, coming out of the locker rooms with an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to inch closer. Wilkins shined on the first possession of the half, completing five of seven passes before calling his own number on a one-yard touchdown scamper.
That drive was ultimately answered by the visitors on their next possession, which would be the only score of the quarter for Clay Helton's team. It was all they would need however, as the Sun Devils were unable to pull any closer.
"Give a lot of respect to them for playing the way they did," Wilkins said. "They came out, they played hard and they wanted it badly."
Williams finished the night as Wilkins' leading receiver, pulling in seven receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown. The sophomore was one of eight wideouts who had at least one catch on the night.
Arizona State finished the game with an edge in passing yards (278-266) and converted on its one end zone trip of the night. The Sun Devils entered the night at No. 6 in the country in red zone conversions and are now 24-of-25 on the season.
The team now looks ahead to next week's game against Colorado, where it will attempt to get back to its winning ways and start the final month of the season on a high note.
"Our guys have character," said Graham when looking ahead. "We have a lot to play for and we're going to bounce back."
The Sun Devils (4-4, 3-2 Pac-12) put together back-to-back touchdown drives to end the first half and start the second, but the comeback effort proved to come up short in the 48-17 defeat.
"Obviously, you have to give them credit," said head coach Todd Graham after the game. "We have a good team, but in this conference you have to bring it every week."
Senior Demario Richard produced steadily throughout the night in this one, carrying the ball 15 times for 70 yards. The running back has now carried for at least 70 yards on four separate occasions this season.
Richard and the rest of the Arizona State offense looked solid early, answering the Trojans' (7-2, 5-1) first touchdown of the night with a 77-yard scoring drive of their own. The drive, which started at the team's two-yard line, was highlighted by a 70-yard pass to N'Keal Harry and was capped with a 39-yard field goal off the foot of Brandon Ruiz.
Ruiz, who entered the night tied for first in the country among freshmen in made field goals, now has 12 makes on the year.
The team's first end zone trip came in dramatic fashion later in the half, as a mix of good clock management, a big throw and catch and a lengthy review resulted in the Sun Devils taking some momentum into the locker room. Wilkins and the offense took over after a kickoff at their own 24-yard line with just 45 seconds left in the half but quickly marched down the field.
Set up around midfield with just one second remaining, a strong throw by Wilkins made it all the way to the goal line, where the ball was tipped and ultimately controlled by receiver Kyle Williams. The officials originally ruled that Williams was down a yard shy of a touchdown, but the call was overturned after a video review to make the score 31-10 at the half.
???? HAIL. MARY. ????#ASU connects on the 47 yard bomb from Wilkins to Williams to end the first half?? #USCvsASU #StripeOutASU #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/2isldAYXxh
— Sun Devil Football (@FootballASU) October 29, 2017
Arizona State didn't wait long to score its second touchdown of the night, coming out of the locker rooms with an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to inch closer. Wilkins shined on the first possession of the half, completing five of seven passes before calling his own number on a one-yard touchdown scamper.
That drive was ultimately answered by the visitors on their next possession, which would be the only score of the quarter for Clay Helton's team. It was all they would need however, as the Sun Devils were unable to pull any closer.
"Give a lot of respect to them for playing the way they did," Wilkins said. "They came out, they played hard and they wanted it badly."
Williams finished the night as Wilkins' leading receiver, pulling in seven receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown. The sophomore was one of eight wideouts who had at least one catch on the night.
Arizona State finished the game with an edge in passing yards (278-266) and converted on its one end zone trip of the night. The Sun Devils entered the night at No. 6 in the country in red zone conversions and are now 24-of-25 on the season.
The team now looks ahead to next week's game against Colorado, where it will attempt to get back to its winning ways and start the final month of the season on a high note.
"Our guys have character," said Graham when looking ahead. "We have a lot to play for and we're going to bounce back."