Devils in Detail
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ASU Football: Arizona State vs. Oregon rapid reaction

By Hunter Robinson

TEMPE, AZ - AUGUST 31: Head coach Todd Graham of the Arizona State Sun Devils watches from the sidelines during the second half of the college football game against the New Mexico State Aggies at Sun Devil Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ - AUGUST 31: Head coach Todd Graham of the Arizona State Sun Devils watches from the sidelines during the second half of the college football game against the New Mexico State Aggies at Sun Devil Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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After a 1-2 non-conference, ASU football responded with a 37-35 victory over No. 2 Oregon to begin Pac-12 play.

This is the victory that Arizona State needed. With a Pac-12 conference that is possibly the best conference in the nation, every win means a lot. The win now puts the Sun Devils at 2-2 on the season and it takes some pressure off of head coach Todd Graham.

While the game was mostly positive for ASU, there are still some things that they need to work on. Here are my takeaways from the game.

1. N’Keal Harry is finally being used in the right way

After not being targeted all that much in the first two games of the season, Harry has shown why he was a top recruit and why there is good reason to think of him as a real NFL prospect in the future. Against the Ducks Harry ended with seven catches for 170 yards, solid numbers for a sophomore. If the Sun Devils can keep him going, then the offense will always have a touchdown threat no matter where they are on the field.

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2. Manny Wilkins is having a great start to the season

Through four games this season, Wilkins has been about as consistent as you could ask for. He has thrown for at least 200 yards in each of those four games and has yet to throw an interception. He is who Arizona State needs to rely on each game because, until he proves otherwise, he is a consistent performer.

3. Phil Bennett’s defense is slowly looking better

After allowing Texas Tech to score 52 points in week three, they can into the game against an Oregon team that was averaging 56 points a game, third best in the nation. Oregon didn’t even break 40 against ASU, something they had done in the first half of their first three games of the season.

Good pressure to the quarterback even without leading pass-rusher Koron Crump and solid tackles to receivers caused Oregon to never be fully comfortable during their time in Tempe. Fans of the Sun Devils are hoping that the defense takes their play against the Ducks and runs with it.

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