ASU Football: Rapid Reaction of Devils’ loss at San Diego State

For the second straight year, San Diego State upsets ASU football as the Aztecs gashed the 23rd-ranked Sun Devils in the running game once again.

What an ending.

After SDSU needed only one first down to ice the game, Aztec tailback Chase Jasmin got the first down, dragging a pile before linebacker Jay Jay Wilson stripped the ball and recovered it with 43 seconds left.

On the ensuing drive, trailing 28-21, Wilkins connected with Darby at the two-yard line, who took a massive hit leading to a targeting call.

The targeting hit led to an incompletion and instead of having it on the doorsteps of the end zone, they have six seconds and a first down at the SDSU 35.

The Hail Mary fell short and the Sun Devils suffered their first loss of the season. They’ll look to regroup before opening Pac-12 play next week in Seattle against No. 10 Washington.

Here are my initial takeaways from the game:

1. Aztecs offensive line dominated the line of scrimmage

What a performance again from guys in the trenches for San Diego State.

Despite losing one of their starters, the Aztec offensive line cleared holes for running backs Juwan Washington and Jasmin as SDSU rushed for 311 yards and two touchdowns.

More from Devils in Detail

• Sun Devils Primer: Game 2 vs Oklahoma State
• Sun Devil Insight: Quarterback Room
• Arizona State Spotlight: Kenny Dillingham
• Arizona State 2023 Season Opener: Off To A Good Start
• Arizona State vs USC Prediction and Promo (Expect Offensive Fireworks)

Even junior quarterback Ryan Agnew rushed for 36 yards as he looked very comfortable in his first career start.

Because of their dominance on the ground, they were on the field for 21:06 in the second half and ran 40 plays. Arizona State were on the field for 8:54 and ran 30 plays.

Just a clinical performance from the Aztecs on offense.

2. The offense was shut down in the second half.

What a rough second half for Arizona State’s offense.

You can visibly see the frustration from quarterback Manny Wilkins and wide receiver N’Keal Harry as the game progressed.

ASU didn’t record a first down in the second half until there was 3:30 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Sun Devils became pass-dependent as Wilkins threw for 341 yards while the Sun Devils rushed for 36 yards on 24 carries.

After a solid first half of moving the football on offense, including Wilkins connecting with wide receiver Frank Darby on two deep balls, they began the second with four straight three-and-outs.

They did score a late touchdown as Harry caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Wilkins, but in the end, it was too little too late.

3. The 4th & 1 call late in the first half changed the game.

Leading 14-7 late in the second half Herm Edwards took a risk and decided to go for it on 4th-and-1 at the SDSU 11.

Wilkins got sacked on the play to turn it over on downs and the Aztecs put together a successful two-minute drill and tied the game with a touchdown with eight seconds remaining in the first half.

That gave all the momentum to the Aztecs and changed the complexion of the game.

4. The loss doesn’t effect ASU’s standing in the Pac-12 South.

While they will most certainly be unranked next week, Arizona State’s chances in the Pac-12 is unaffected with Saturday’s loss.

The Sun Devils will open conference play at No. 10 Washington next week in what will be a tough test despite Washington not looking spectacular this season.

In the rest of the Pac-12 South, Utah fell at home to the Huskies so they’re at 0-1 with USC, who was dismantled in Austin against Texas.

Arizona secured their first win of the season defeating Southern Utah. Elsewhere, Colorado defeated New Hampshire and UCLA fell to 0-3 with a 38-14 home loss vs. Fresno State. The South is still wide open and the Sun Devils control their own destiny.