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ASU Football: Division chances rest on Wilkins’ Pac-12 form

By Zach Pekale

TEMPE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 08: Quarterback Manny Wilkins #5 of the Arizona State Sun Devils scrambles with the football against the Michigan State Spartans during the second half of the college football game at Sun Devil Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Spartans 16-13. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 08: Quarterback Manny Wilkins #5 of the Arizona State Sun Devils scrambles with the football against the Michigan State Spartans during the second half of the college football game at Sun Devil Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Spartans 16-13. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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In a 52-24 victory over Oregon State, ASU football earned its first Pac-12 win of the season. What are the program’s chances to compete for the division?

With much of the attention in Sun Devil Stadium diverted to sophomore running back Eno Benjamin on Saturday night, the struggles of quarterback Manny Wilkins were overlooked.

While Benjamin shattered a 45-year-old program record, rushing for 312 yards and three touchdowns, Wilkins grappled with both the Beavers and his health.

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The redshirt senior completed just 56 percent of his passes for 162 yards against OSU, marking two consecutive games in which he has not reached 200 yards through the air. However, Wilkins was able to have an impact in the ground game, gaining 61 rushing yards.

Coach Herm Edwards noted postgame that Wilkins received intravenous fluid at halftime and was capable to continue playing in the second half. He remained in the game and finished with three passing touchdowns.

Though Benjamin’s spotlight outshined Wilkins’ underwhelming performance, it did not go unnoticed, especially by Wilkins himself.

Following the game, the third-year starter was critical of his play, harping on missed throws and a lack of accuracy. In particular, Wilkins singled out one throw downfield that would have been a 44-yard touchdown to a wide open Kyle Williams.

The win moves ASU to 1-1 in conference games this season and with the Pac-12 South lacking a dominant team, the Sun Devils are in a position to compete for the division.

But to have a chance down the stretch, Wilkins will need to produce at a high level in some difficult situations.

ASU still has challenging road tests at Colorado, Southern California and Oregon as well as a Thursday night showdown with Stanford at home. Wilkins is just 3-9 away from Sun Devil Stadium compared to 11-4 in Tempe.

The Sun Devils travel to Boulder next week for a meeting with undefeated Colorado, a team Wilkins has had mixed results against. The Buffaloes romped in Boulder two years ago en route to the Pac-12 South title. In 2017, Wilkins orchestrated a 24-point fourth quarter to lead a comeback victory.

Next. ASU Football: Benjamin’s career night defined by past, future. dark

Whichever Wilkins shows up at Folsom Field could be indicative of the Sun Devils’ relevance in the division race going into the second half of the season.

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