SALT LAKE CITY– The #17 Sun Devil football team struggled to get anything going on offense on a cold and wet night in Salt Lake City, and dropped its first road contest of the season, 21-3, to the #13 Utah Utes on Saturday.
The Sun Devil defense put forth a spirited effort, limiting the nation's 25thbest offense (467.3 yards per game) to just 342 total yards. The group was dominant in the second half, limiting the Utes to just one touchdown on 107 total yards and forcing two turnovers.
For the day the unit was responsible for a season-high four takeaways. Aashari Crosswell forced two fumbles and Tyler Johnson another while Chase Lucas recorded his first interception of the season. Crosswell also led the team with nine tackles, a breakup and a tackle for loss
However, ASU converted those turnovers to just three total points. The Sun Devils finished with just 136 total yards of offense, its lowest output since recording only 122 against UCLA on Nov. 28, 2008. Penalties severely limited the Sun Devils, especially in the second quarter, with ASU finishing with 122 penalty yards - its most since it had 131 against Northern Arizona in 2010.
Eno Benjamin was a bright spot, recording his 13th career 100-yard rushing performance with 104 yards on 15 carries. It was the 13th100-yard game of Benjamin's career, moving him into a tie for fifth-most in program history with Demario Richard (2014-17).
Additionally, Benjamin's 32-yard rush on his final carry of the game would also push the junior over the 3,000-yard mark in his career for all-purpose yards. He now has 3,008 career all-purpose yards.
NOTABLES
-Two of the longest standing streaks in ASU history came to an end on Saturday night. ASU entered the game having matched an FBS modern record with 125 consecutive games scoring over 10 points tied with Louisiana Tech (2008-18). Additionally, ASU had the longest active streak of games scoring at least 7 points in a game at 140 consecutive games.
-The three total points were the fewest for ASU since being shutout by USC on Oct. 11, 2008.
-Eno Benjamin's streak of eight consecutive games scoring a touchdown came to an end on Saturday night.
-ASU has now held opponents to less than 30 points in 14 of 20 games since Danny Gonzales took over as defensive coordinator.
-The 25 total passing yards for the ASU offense were the fewest since having 33 against Oregon in 2006.
THE FINAL STRAW
The Sun Devil defense kept ASU within striking distance for much of the second half, having limited the Utah offense to just 42 yards through the first 25 minutes of the half. Trailing 14-3, a strong defensive stand forced a Utah punt with just under six minutes remaining but the return was fumbled by ASU returner Jack Jones.
Utah thrust the dagger on the very next play, with Zack Moss finding daylight on a 32-yard scamper to make it 21-3 and put the game out of contention.
HOW IT GOT THERE
First Quarter
The Sun Devils went three-and-out on their first possession. The ASU defense came up with a big play on Utah's second play from scrimmage as Aashari Crosswell forced Moss to fumble after he took a pass and raced 46 yards to the Sun Devil 25. Evan Fields recovered the fumble and brought it back to the ASU 42. After another three-and-out by the Sun Devil offense, Utah moved the ball 65 yards into the red zone. Once again the Sun Devil defense turned Utah back as Crosswell forced and recovered a fumble at the ASU 15. ASU got one first down before punting the ball back to Utah. Although Utah outgained ASU 115-21 in the first quarter the game was scoreless after 15 minutes.
Second Quarter
The two teams exchanged three-and-outs to start the second quarter. Utah's second drive of the quarter produced the first points of the game as Ute wide receiver Jaylen Dixon ran 10 yards for a touchdown to cap a seven-play, 60-yard drive. Benjamin started ASU's next drive with a nine-yard run, but the Sun Devils could not pick up a first down. The Utes would increase their lead to 14-0 after moving 73 yards in 12 plays. Moss scored on a one-yard run. The Utes were aided on the drive by three Sun Devil personal fouls.
Third Quarter
The Sun Devils forced a punt on Utah's first possession of the second half. Back-to-back runs of 18 and 10 yards by Benjamin helped ASU move the ball out to its 42-yard line. The Sun Devils could not overcome an eight-yard loss on the ensuing play and would end up having to punt the ball back to the Utes. The Sun Devil defense recorded its third takeaway on the first play of Utah's ensuing drive when Johnson strip sacked Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley, giving the ball to ASU at the Utah 18-yard line. The Sun Devils converted the turnover into their first points of the game, a 40-yard field goal by Cristian Zendejas to cut Utah's lead to 14-3. ASU started its next drive in Utah territory after an interception by Lucas set up the Sun Devils at the Ute 28. Unfortunately for the Sun Devils, two penalties and a sack pushed them out of field goal range and they were forced to punt the ball back to the Utes. ASU's defense held and the Sun Devils ended the third quarter on the move in Utah territory. For the quarter, the ASU defense allowed only 34 yards while forcing a pair of turnovers.
NEXT UP
The Sun Devils return to action next Saturday when they travel to Pasadena, Calif., to face UCLA. Kickoff at the Rose Bowl is scheduled for 4:30 pm MST.
Single-game tickets for ASU's Nov. 9 contest vs. USC 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.
MOST CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITH A CATCH BY A SUN DEVIL
53, D.J. Foster (every game from 2012 through 2015)
44, John Jefferson (last nine in 1974 through 1977)
41, Derek Hagan (last five in 2002 through 2005)
39, Chris McGaha(Nov. 25, 2006-Nov. 28, 2009)
38, N'KealHarry (every game from 2016 through 2018)
36, LenzieJackson (last game in 1995 through 1998)
35, Kyle Williams (Nov. 19, 2016-present)
The Sun Devil defense put forth a spirited effort, limiting the nation's 25thbest offense (467.3 yards per game) to just 342 total yards. The group was dominant in the second half, limiting the Utes to just one touchdown on 107 total yards and forcing two turnovers.
For the day the unit was responsible for a season-high four takeaways. Aashari Crosswell forced two fumbles and Tyler Johnson another while Chase Lucas recorded his first interception of the season. Crosswell also led the team with nine tackles, a breakup and a tackle for loss
However, ASU converted those turnovers to just three total points. The Sun Devils finished with just 136 total yards of offense, its lowest output since recording only 122 against UCLA on Nov. 28, 2008. Penalties severely limited the Sun Devils, especially in the second quarter, with ASU finishing with 122 penalty yards - its most since it had 131 against Northern Arizona in 2010.
Eno Benjamin was a bright spot, recording his 13th career 100-yard rushing performance with 104 yards on 15 carries. It was the 13th100-yard game of Benjamin's career, moving him into a tie for fifth-most in program history with Demario Richard (2014-17).
Additionally, Benjamin's 32-yard rush on his final carry of the game would also push the junior over the 3,000-yard mark in his career for all-purpose yards. He now has 3,008 career all-purpose yards.
NOTABLES
-Two of the longest standing streaks in ASU history came to an end on Saturday night. ASU entered the game having matched an FBS modern record with 125 consecutive games scoring over 10 points tied with Louisiana Tech (2008-18). Additionally, ASU had the longest active streak of games scoring at least 7 points in a game at 140 consecutive games.
-The three total points were the fewest for ASU since being shutout by USC on Oct. 11, 2008.
-Eno Benjamin's streak of eight consecutive games scoring a touchdown came to an end on Saturday night.
-ASU has now held opponents to less than 30 points in 14 of 20 games since Danny Gonzales took over as defensive coordinator.
-The 25 total passing yards for the ASU offense were the fewest since having 33 against Oregon in 2006.
THE FINAL STRAW
The Sun Devil defense kept ASU within striking distance for much of the second half, having limited the Utah offense to just 42 yards through the first 25 minutes of the half. Trailing 14-3, a strong defensive stand forced a Utah punt with just under six minutes remaining but the return was fumbled by ASU returner Jack Jones.
Utah thrust the dagger on the very next play, with Zack Moss finding daylight on a 32-yard scamper to make it 21-3 and put the game out of contention.
HOW IT GOT THERE
First Quarter
The Sun Devils went three-and-out on their first possession. The ASU defense came up with a big play on Utah's second play from scrimmage as Aashari Crosswell forced Moss to fumble after he took a pass and raced 46 yards to the Sun Devil 25. Evan Fields recovered the fumble and brought it back to the ASU 42. After another three-and-out by the Sun Devil offense, Utah moved the ball 65 yards into the red zone. Once again the Sun Devil defense turned Utah back as Crosswell forced and recovered a fumble at the ASU 15. ASU got one first down before punting the ball back to Utah. Although Utah outgained ASU 115-21 in the first quarter the game was scoreless after 15 minutes.
Second Quarter
The two teams exchanged three-and-outs to start the second quarter. Utah's second drive of the quarter produced the first points of the game as Ute wide receiver Jaylen Dixon ran 10 yards for a touchdown to cap a seven-play, 60-yard drive. Benjamin started ASU's next drive with a nine-yard run, but the Sun Devils could not pick up a first down. The Utes would increase their lead to 14-0 after moving 73 yards in 12 plays. Moss scored on a one-yard run. The Utes were aided on the drive by three Sun Devil personal fouls.
Third Quarter
The Sun Devils forced a punt on Utah's first possession of the second half. Back-to-back runs of 18 and 10 yards by Benjamin helped ASU move the ball out to its 42-yard line. The Sun Devils could not overcome an eight-yard loss on the ensuing play and would end up having to punt the ball back to the Utes. The Sun Devil defense recorded its third takeaway on the first play of Utah's ensuing drive when Johnson strip sacked Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley, giving the ball to ASU at the Utah 18-yard line. The Sun Devils converted the turnover into their first points of the game, a 40-yard field goal by Cristian Zendejas to cut Utah's lead to 14-3. ASU started its next drive in Utah territory after an interception by Lucas set up the Sun Devils at the Ute 28. Unfortunately for the Sun Devils, two penalties and a sack pushed them out of field goal range and they were forced to punt the ball back to the Utes. ASU's defense held and the Sun Devils ended the third quarter on the move in Utah territory. For the quarter, the ASU defense allowed only 34 yards while forcing a pair of turnovers.
NEXT UP
The Sun Devils return to action next Saturday when they travel to Pasadena, Calif., to face UCLA. Kickoff at the Rose Bowl is scheduled for 4:30 pm MST.
Single-game tickets for ASU's Nov. 9 contest vs. USC 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.
MOST CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITH A CATCH BY A SUN DEVIL
53, D.J. Foster (every game from 2012 through 2015)
44, John Jefferson (last nine in 1974 through 1977)
41, Derek Hagan (last five in 2002 through 2005)
39, Chris McGaha(Nov. 25, 2006-Nov. 28, 2009)
38, N'KealHarry (every game from 2016 through 2018)
36, LenzieJackson (last game in 1995 through 1998)
35, Kyle Williams (Nov. 19, 2016-present)