by Justin Gaither, Sun Devil media relations intern
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona State's perfect record at Sun Devil Stadium took a hit Thursday night as the Sun Devils couldn't hang with the high-powered Stanford Cardinal (5-2, 3-1 Pac-12) for a full 60 in a 20-13 defeat.
While they managed to hold Stanford to just six points in the first half, a couple of turnovers proved costly for head coach Herm Edwards' Sun Devils (3-4, 1-3 Pac-12) who couldn't quite complete the late comeback win.
"We were down by three," head coach Herm Edwards said of the effort. "We got it tied up and then all of the sudden we had a series of events take place and we didn't recover (quickly) enough."
The defense led the way early on, as they have throughout much of the season, holding the Cardinal scoreless in the first quarter.
Defensive Coordinator Danny Gonzales' defense has now held opponents scoreless in the first quarter five times on the season, a feat the Sun Devils accomplished just four times all of last season.
"We did a good job of tackling the backs and really forcing them into some bad situations," Edwards added of his defense. "It was one of those games, kind of a methodical game, it wasn't a high-scoring affair at all."
The first half was dictated by both defenses who forced a combined six punts and two turnovers through the first 30 minutes. Neither offense could punch it in, settling for field goals on both sides.
Two ASU turnovers proved costly in the first half as the Cardinal cashed in on both to give them a 6-3 lead at the break.
It's been a defensive slugfest in the first half ???? pic.twitter.com/ZMuCC6oI90
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) October 19, 2018
The second half, on the other hand, got off to a faster start with redshirt senior play caller Manny Wilkins leading the offense 59 yards down the field, setting up a Brandon Ruiz field goal that tied the game at six.
Things spiraled a bit for the Sun Devils from that point in the form of two unanswered Stanford touchdowns which put the score seemingly out of reach at 20-6 with just under 10 minutes to play.
The resilient Sun Devils never quit, however, a Manny Wilkins rushing touchdown with just under eight minutes left to play made it a one score game at 20-13 and provided a glimmer of hope.
?? TOUCHDOWN SUN DEVILS ??@MannyWilkins5 scrambles and takes it in from 10 yards out to bring the Sun Devils within one touchdown. pic.twitter.com/nI0vxqZ1XZ
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) October 19, 2018
After both offenses stalled out a few more times, the Devils took over with one final chance, just 2:20 left to play, still trailing by seven.
What followed was nothing short of gut-wrenching.
The Devils started with the ball on their own 15 and managed to march 67 yards down the field, but the comeback was too little too late as time expired on ASU with the ball on Stanford's 18-yard line.
"I thought the spirit of the players came out in the fourth quarter," Edwards said. "We were able to make some stops and make it a game at the end, but we just ran out of time."
Wilkins finished the game with 394 yards of total offense and a rushing touchdown but two out-of-character turnovers hindered the Sun Devils, who lost once again by a single touchdown.
The Sun Devils outgained the Cardinal 437-358 but the three turnovers ended up the deciding factor.
Arizona State travels to Los Angeles next weekend where they will look to bounce back against the USC Trojans (4-2, 3-1 Pac-12) as they look to snap a three-game losing streak against the current Pac-12 South leaders.
"You have to give them credit," concluded Edwards. "They are a good football team and we fell short."