EAST LANSING, Mich. – The legs of Jayden Daniels and the arm span of Eno Benjamin rallied the Sun Devil Football team to a last-minute victory over #18 Michigan State, 10-7, on Saturday in East Lansing, Mich.
Trailing by four with 3:34 remaining, the true freshman quarterback rushed for two pivotal first downs that extended the game while completing four passes for 52 yards on the final Sun Devil drive of the contest, leading ASU 75 yards on 11 plays in under three minutes. Eno Benjamin extended every inch of his wing span on a lunging play at the goal line with just enough length to cross the plane with 50 seconds remaining and score the lone Sun Devil touchdown of the game.
Michigan State missed a 47-yard field goal as time expired - its third missed field goal of the game - to hand ASU its first victory over a ranked non-conference road team since at #13 Miami (Fl) on Sept. 13, 1997.
ABOUT THE WIN
-The Sun Devils have now won five consecutive games over ranked non-conference opponents: #18 Michigan State/2019, #15 Michigan State/2018, #8 Notre Dame/2014, #20 Wisconsin/2013, #19 Missouri/2011.
-It is the third win over a ranked opponent for Herm Edwards in two season at ASU (Michigan State 2018/2019, Utah 2018)
-ASU is now 5-1 under Herm Edwards in games of 3 points or less
-It is ASU's first 3-0 start since going 4-0 in 2016 and just the third 3-0 start since the 2008 season.
-The win gave ASU its first road victory against a Big Ten team since defeating Northwestern in Chicago in 2004.
- It was just the fifth road victory against a team in the Big Ten in program history (Northwestern-1978/2004, Illinois-1987, Wisconsin 1967). ASU is now 5-5 in such games with the exception Nebraska, which is currently in the Big Ten though ASU was 0-4 in Lincoln in games played while the Huskers were in the Big 12.
- It was ASU's first win in a regular season game it has traveled at least 1,500 miles - East Lansing is 1,625 miles away by air - since defeating North Carolina in 2003 after traveling 1,870 miles.
@FOOTBALLASU GAMES OF 3 POINTS OR LESS UNDER HERM EDWARDS (5-1)
ASU 10, @#18 Michigan State 7 (Sept. 14, 2019)
ASU 41, @Arizona 40 (Nov. 24, 2018)
@Oregon 31, ASU 29 (Nov. 17, 2018)
ASU 31, UCLA 28 (Nov. 10, 2018)
ASU 38, @USC 35 (Oct. 27, 2018)
ASU 16, #15 Michigan State 13 (Sept. 8, 2018)
HOW IT ENDED
The Sun Devils took over possession for the final time with 3:34 remaining. At that point, the Sun Devil had compiled only 141 total yards of offense and just 51 combined yards on its previous four drives. ASU had run more than six plays on a drive just once prior in the game - the drive it scored the first half field goal.
Nevertheless, Daniels was unfazed and completed two quick five-yard passes for a first down before finding Brandon Aiyuk for a 40-yard completion into Michigan State territory. A couple incomplete passes and a false start put the game on the line on fourth-and-13 with 1:23 remaining in the game. After a slew of timeouts, Daniels saw open grass in front of him and scampered 15 yards and out of bounds to keep the game alive.
Three plays later, Daniels again need to use his legs to extend the game with another seven-yard dash on third down to the Michigan State one-yard line and another first down.
Benjamin did the rest, taking an inside handoff and stretching to his limit to spike the ball right on the goal line for the go-ahead score with 50 seconds remaining.
Michigan State was bailed out on third-and-long by a spotty pass interference call and quickly completed another 25-yard pass to get within field goal range. The 42-yard attempt was good but the Spartans lined up with 12 men on the field - a five-yard penalty that pushed the attempt back to 47 yards with six seconds remaining. The final attempt of the game was wide left, the third missed field goal of the contest and sealing the Sun Devil victory as time expired.
HOW IT STARTED
For the second straight season the Sun Devils and Spartans engaged in a tough, physical, defensive slugfest in which neither team could establish dominance on the scoreboard. In 2018, it was the Sun Devils who a overcame a 13-3 fourth-quarter deficit to win 16-13 in Tempe.
Many of the same trends would prevail on Saturday as the two teams combined for only three points – ASU 3, MSU 0 – over the game's first three quarters.
Neither team scored in the first quarter despite the Spartans having a 90-25 advantage in total yards. The Sun Devil defense came through with a number of big plays to keep MSU off the scoreboard even though the Spartans drove into ASU territory on each of their three first-quarter possessions.
The Spartans got the ball first and got a pair of first downs before the Sun Devil defense stiffened. CB Chase Lucas' pass breakup on third and seven from the ASU 46 ended Michigan State's first drive of the game.
The Spartans again drove into Sun Devil territory on their second possession, but ASU once again turned them back after DB Tyler Whiley recovered a fumble by MSU QB Brian Lewerke. DB Aashari Crosswell was responsible for the MSU miscue as he stripped the Spartan signal-caller right before his body hit the turf.
The Sun Devils made their first trip into MSU territory on their first possession of the second quarter. Daniels' completion to Kyle Williams for eight yards set up the Sun Devils with a 2nd & 2 at the MSU 46. After a two-yard loss, Daniels' pass for WR Brandon Aiyuk missed its target and the Sun Devils were forced to punt.
ASU's defense continued to come up with plays at the most important moments in the second quarter. A 48-yard pass play helped get the Spartans inside ASU's 40 on MSU's first drive of the second stanza. The Spartans eventually moved to the ASU 27 where they had it 1st and 10. After LB Tyler Johnson dropped Lewerke for a four-yard loss the Spartans could only muster two yards on the ensuing two plays. On fourth down, MSU kicker Matt Coughlin missed wide right from 47 yards and the game remained scoreless.
The Sun Devils came through with their best drive of the half on the ensuing possession, moving 48 yards in 10 plays to set up the first points of the game, a 45-yard field goal by Cristian Zendejas that moved ASU in front 3-0. Consecutive 15-yard completions by Daniels (Aiyuk and WR Kyle Williams) and a 16-yard run by RB Eno Benjamin were key plays on the drive that would eventually get the Sun Devils inside the MSU 15.
The Spartans responded to ASU's score by making their deepest penetration into ASU territory of the half. A 36-yard strike from Lewerke to Darrell Stewart gave MSU a first down at the ASU 14. Two plays later the Sun Devils forced an incomplete pass on 3rd and 4. On fourth down Coughlin again pushed his field goal attempt – this one from 31 yards – wide right and the Sun Devils went to the locker room up 3-0.
ASU got more big plays from its defense in the third quarter as the Sun Devils managed to keep the Spartans off the board despite being outgained 74-24. On MSU's first drive of the second half LB Khaylan Kearse-Thomas and DB Cam Phillips teamed up to stop MSU RB Connor Heyward for no gain on 4th & 1 at the ASU 34.
Michigan State got as far as the ASU 41 on its next drive of the quarter but once again could drive no further as Johnson pressured Lewerke and forced a pass that resulted in a two-yard loss on 3rd and 4.
The Sun Devils could get only one first down on their next possession before being forced to punt it back to Michigan State. The Spartans would finally break through after driving 70 yards in 10 plays for the go-ahead touchdown, a nine-yard scoring run by RB Elijah Collins to give MSU a 7-3 lead with 8:37 remaining.
The Sun Devils return to action next Saturday when they host Colorado in the Pac-12 opener for both teams. Kickoff at Sun Devil Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m. MST. Season tickets, three-game mini plans and single-game tickets for ASU's next three home games – vs. Colorado (Sept. 21), vs. Washington State (Oct. 12) and vs. USC (Nov. 9) – are currently on sale and can be purchased at www.sundeviltickets.com or by contacting the Sun Devil Athletics Ticket Office at 480-727-0000.
Trailing by four with 3:34 remaining, the true freshman quarterback rushed for two pivotal first downs that extended the game while completing four passes for 52 yards on the final Sun Devil drive of the contest, leading ASU 75 yards on 11 plays in under three minutes. Eno Benjamin extended every inch of his wing span on a lunging play at the goal line with just enough length to cross the plane with 50 seconds remaining and score the lone Sun Devil touchdown of the game.
Michigan State missed a 47-yard field goal as time expired - its third missed field goal of the game - to hand ASU its first victory over a ranked non-conference road team since at #13 Miami (Fl) on Sept. 13, 1997.
ABOUT THE WIN
-The Sun Devils have now won five consecutive games over ranked non-conference opponents: #18 Michigan State/2019, #15 Michigan State/2018, #8 Notre Dame/2014, #20 Wisconsin/2013, #19 Missouri/2011.
-It is the third win over a ranked opponent for Herm Edwards in two season at ASU (Michigan State 2018/2019, Utah 2018)
-ASU is now 5-1 under Herm Edwards in games of 3 points or less
-It is ASU's first 3-0 start since going 4-0 in 2016 and just the third 3-0 start since the 2008 season.
-The win gave ASU its first road victory against a Big Ten team since defeating Northwestern in Chicago in 2004.
- It was just the fifth road victory against a team in the Big Ten in program history (Northwestern-1978/2004, Illinois-1987, Wisconsin 1967). ASU is now 5-5 in such games with the exception Nebraska, which is currently in the Big Ten though ASU was 0-4 in Lincoln in games played while the Huskers were in the Big 12.
- It was ASU's first win in a regular season game it has traveled at least 1,500 miles - East Lansing is 1,625 miles away by air - since defeating North Carolina in 2003 after traveling 1,870 miles.
@FOOTBALLASU GAMES OF 3 POINTS OR LESS UNDER HERM EDWARDS (5-1)
ASU 10, @#18 Michigan State 7 (Sept. 14, 2019)
ASU 41, @Arizona 40 (Nov. 24, 2018)
@Oregon 31, ASU 29 (Nov. 17, 2018)
ASU 31, UCLA 28 (Nov. 10, 2018)
ASU 38, @USC 35 (Oct. 27, 2018)
ASU 16, #15 Michigan State 13 (Sept. 8, 2018)
HOW IT ENDED
The Sun Devils took over possession for the final time with 3:34 remaining. At that point, the Sun Devil had compiled only 141 total yards of offense and just 51 combined yards on its previous four drives. ASU had run more than six plays on a drive just once prior in the game - the drive it scored the first half field goal.
Nevertheless, Daniels was unfazed and completed two quick five-yard passes for a first down before finding Brandon Aiyuk for a 40-yard completion into Michigan State territory. A couple incomplete passes and a false start put the game on the line on fourth-and-13 with 1:23 remaining in the game. After a slew of timeouts, Daniels saw open grass in front of him and scampered 15 yards and out of bounds to keep the game alive.
Three plays later, Daniels again need to use his legs to extend the game with another seven-yard dash on third down to the Michigan State one-yard line and another first down.
Benjamin did the rest, taking an inside handoff and stretching to his limit to spike the ball right on the goal line for the go-ahead score with 50 seconds remaining.
Michigan State was bailed out on third-and-long by a spotty pass interference call and quickly completed another 25-yard pass to get within field goal range. The 42-yard attempt was good but the Spartans lined up with 12 men on the field - a five-yard penalty that pushed the attempt back to 47 yards with six seconds remaining. The final attempt of the game was wide left, the third missed field goal of the contest and sealing the Sun Devil victory as time expired.
HOW IT STARTED
For the second straight season the Sun Devils and Spartans engaged in a tough, physical, defensive slugfest in which neither team could establish dominance on the scoreboard. In 2018, it was the Sun Devils who a overcame a 13-3 fourth-quarter deficit to win 16-13 in Tempe.
Many of the same trends would prevail on Saturday as the two teams combined for only three points – ASU 3, MSU 0 – over the game's first three quarters.
Neither team scored in the first quarter despite the Spartans having a 90-25 advantage in total yards. The Sun Devil defense came through with a number of big plays to keep MSU off the scoreboard even though the Spartans drove into ASU territory on each of their three first-quarter possessions.
The Spartans got the ball first and got a pair of first downs before the Sun Devil defense stiffened. CB Chase Lucas' pass breakup on third and seven from the ASU 46 ended Michigan State's first drive of the game.
The Spartans again drove into Sun Devil territory on their second possession, but ASU once again turned them back after DB Tyler Whiley recovered a fumble by MSU QB Brian Lewerke. DB Aashari Crosswell was responsible for the MSU miscue as he stripped the Spartan signal-caller right before his body hit the turf.
The Sun Devils made their first trip into MSU territory on their first possession of the second quarter. Daniels' completion to Kyle Williams for eight yards set up the Sun Devils with a 2nd & 2 at the MSU 46. After a two-yard loss, Daniels' pass for WR Brandon Aiyuk missed its target and the Sun Devils were forced to punt.
ASU's defense continued to come up with plays at the most important moments in the second quarter. A 48-yard pass play helped get the Spartans inside ASU's 40 on MSU's first drive of the second stanza. The Spartans eventually moved to the ASU 27 where they had it 1st and 10. After LB Tyler Johnson dropped Lewerke for a four-yard loss the Spartans could only muster two yards on the ensuing two plays. On fourth down, MSU kicker Matt Coughlin missed wide right from 47 yards and the game remained scoreless.
The Sun Devils came through with their best drive of the half on the ensuing possession, moving 48 yards in 10 plays to set up the first points of the game, a 45-yard field goal by Cristian Zendejas that moved ASU in front 3-0. Consecutive 15-yard completions by Daniels (Aiyuk and WR Kyle Williams) and a 16-yard run by RB Eno Benjamin were key plays on the drive that would eventually get the Sun Devils inside the MSU 15.
The Spartans responded to ASU's score by making their deepest penetration into ASU territory of the half. A 36-yard strike from Lewerke to Darrell Stewart gave MSU a first down at the ASU 14. Two plays later the Sun Devils forced an incomplete pass on 3rd and 4. On fourth down Coughlin again pushed his field goal attempt – this one from 31 yards – wide right and the Sun Devils went to the locker room up 3-0.
ASU got more big plays from its defense in the third quarter as the Sun Devils managed to keep the Spartans off the board despite being outgained 74-24. On MSU's first drive of the second half LB Khaylan Kearse-Thomas and DB Cam Phillips teamed up to stop MSU RB Connor Heyward for no gain on 4th & 1 at the ASU 34.
Michigan State got as far as the ASU 41 on its next drive of the quarter but once again could drive no further as Johnson pressured Lewerke and forced a pass that resulted in a two-yard loss on 3rd and 4.
The Sun Devils could get only one first down on their next possession before being forced to punt it back to Michigan State. The Spartans would finally break through after driving 70 yards in 10 plays for the go-ahead touchdown, a nine-yard scoring run by RB Elijah Collins to give MSU a 7-3 lead with 8:37 remaining.
The Sun Devils return to action next Saturday when they host Colorado in the Pac-12 opener for both teams. Kickoff at Sun Devil Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m. MST. Season tickets, three-game mini plans and single-game tickets for ASU's next three home games – vs. Colorado (Sept. 21), vs. Washington State (Oct. 12) and vs. USC (Nov. 9) – are currently on sale and can be purchased at www.sundeviltickets.com or by contacting the Sun Devil Athletics Ticket Office at 480-727-0000.