by Justin Gaither, Sun Devil Athletics media relations intern
TEMPE, Ariz. -- A wise man once said, "you play to win the game…" and that's exactly what Herm Edwards' Arizona State Sun Devils did against the 15th-ranked Michigan State Spartans tonight.
The Sun Devil defense was the story once again as Danny Gonzales' unit held the high-powered Michigan State offense to just 377 yards and 13 points en route to a 16-13 upset win in front of a sold out Sun Devil Stadium.
Behind the scenes at pregame ?? pic.twitter.com/kBymSPCeBo
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) September 9, 2018
The first half got off to a relatively slow start as both teams punted on their opening drives. After a perfect punt by Michael Sleep-Dalton, however, the Devils managed to pin the Spartans at their own one-yard line, seemingly giving ASU the early edge.
Mark Dantonio's group was not fazed. Led by Phoenix-native Brian Lewerke, Michigan State orchestrated a 13 play, 7 ½ minute drive that took them inside the red zone, but the staunch Sun Devil defense held them to just three points.
That drive took the game into the second quarter, and it also provided the entirety of the offense in the first half as neither team could find paydirt. The Spartans nearly scored toward the end of the half, but an interception in the end zone by Das Tautalatasi ended that threat and saved the Sun Devils for the time being.
??INTERCEPTION ALERT??@Das_Tautalatasi with the HUGE pick in the end zone, ending the Spartans threatening drive ?? pic.twitter.com/8RChyMn5Ue
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) September 9, 2018
Both defenses adopted a 'bend but don't break' mentality, allowing at least 170 yards each, while the score at the half was just Michigan State 3, Arizona State 0.
The Sun Devil defense was led by Jalen Harvey, who had 10 solo tackles, and Das Tautalatasi, who came up with the huge interception as well as a tackle of his own.
"Defense on both sides played really well," quarterback Manny Wilkins said. "But our defense…I'm really proud of them and how they played. It was a hell of an effort on their part and without them we would not (have won) this game."
The second half started a bit quicker than the first with both teams converting field goal attempts on their opening drives to make the score MSU 6, ASU 3.
It wouldn't be until after another punt for each team that the game saw its first trip to the end zone.
After containing the Spartans and Lewerke for the first 40 minutes of the game, the defense finally slipped as junior quarterback found Cody White for a 31-yard touchdown to make it 13-3 Michigan State.
Following the score, a Sun Devil response was paramount. And the offense delivered. In a drive that bled into the fourth quarter, the ASU offense tacked on another field goal to bring the Devils within seven, and it would end up being a crucial field goal.
Following a few more punts (11 total in the game), the Devils, led by senior quarterback Manny Wilkins, finally gave Sun Devil faithful something to cheer about.
The scoring drive lasted all of just two plays as Wilkins first hit Kyle Williams for a 38-yard completion and then followed that with a beautiful 27-yard touchdown pass to N'Keal Harry to tie it at 13.
#Pac12AfterDark things are happening in Tempe! pic.twitter.com/Zy1E0WpIE1
— ESPN (@espn) September 9, 2018
Wilkins was brilliant once again, completing 30 of 48 passes for 381 yards and a touchdown, while keeping the offense anchored all night, even after being shutout in the first half.
"I don't think I played nearly as good as I could have played tonight," Wilkins added. "But that's just because I'm hard on myself and I expect to do great things because I worked too hard to get where I am today."
With just over eight minutes to play and a tied score, the Spartans took over. They got off to a good start, picking up two quick first downs and reaching ASU territory, but like they did all night up to that point, the ASU defense bent but didn't break. Sacking Lewerke twice in a row, they created a third-and-34 that the Spartans couldn't overcome, causing yet another punt.
With all of the momentum, the Devils took over. Led by play-caller Wilkins, who used his arm and legs to keep the drive alive, the Devils marched down the field taking 13 plays to go 69 yards to set up a 28-yard game-winning field goal off the foot of Brandon Ruiz as time expired.
SUN DEVILS WIN????????????@BrandonRRuiz hits the game winner from 28 yards out ??
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) September 9, 2018
L E T S G O O O O O O O O O O O pic.twitter.com/dqGnKPi5kv
"I never watch the kicks," Edwards said. "I never watch game-winners. I look at the crowd and if the crowd is hollering then we did good, and if the crowd says no then oh boy it's not good. I didn't watch it."
Arizona State has now knocked off ranked opponents in back-to-back seasons, both wins coming during a 'blackout game', after last year's win over then-No. 5 Washington.
Now 2-0, the Devils will travel to San Diego next weekend to take on the Aztecs (1-1) as they look for revenge following last year's home loss at the hands of SDSU. The game will be played at SDCCU Stadium Saturday, September 16th with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. as the Devils look to move to 3-0 on the season.
"It's important to win games like that," Coach Edwards said. "It comes down to the wire where there's pressure on you where people have to make plays. You can't have a minus play when you get down in that situation and we did not. Our guys kept their poise and we were able to finish the game off."