ASU Football: Division title still in reach for Sun Devils
By Zach Pekale
By defeating USC 38-35, ASU football knocked off the Trojans for the first time in four years. More importantly, it put ASU back in the division race.
In the Pac-12 Conference, the unexpected is considered ordinary and mayhem is an expectation. Losses by Washington, Oregon, Stanford, USC and Colorado on Saturday put a damper on the conference’s chance to make the College Football Playoff but the anarchy makes for an interesting November.
While the Huskies, Ducks and Cardinal conceded sole possession of the Pac-12’s North division to Washington State, the Pac-12 South remains wide open.
Despite a stretch of four losses in five games, next week, Arizona State will play for a chance to control its own destiny.
To sustain momentum against Utah, the Sun Devils will have to replicate several facets of their game that propelled them past USC.
The most critical of which being third-down defense where the Trojans were 2-of-11 on conversions. ASU was effective at getting into the backfield, being disruptive and coming away with crucial stops in a number of different situations.
Additionally, finding a balance on offense will be pivotal to the success of ASU.
Offensively, departures to underclassmen Brock Sturges and Trelon Smith in recent weeks thinned the Sun Devils’ depth at running back. However, sophomore Eno Benjamin received 29 carries and was utilized as a workhorse once again, churning out 185 yards and two touchdowns against USC.
Benjamin’s performance gives him the seventh-most rushing yards in the country this season.
At times throughout coach Herm Edwards’ first season with the Sun Devils, there has been a bit of over-dependence on Benjamin to perform.
Edwards previously stressed his desire to be a run-heavy team and, as a result, the ASU offense has occasionally looked predictable.
This was not the case on Saturday.
Edwards and offensive coordinator Rob Likens put together a more balanced attack. Though the run game was still favored, quarterback Manny Wilkins and wide receiver N’Keal Harry each played significantly larger roles than they had in past weeks.
Harry recorded 95 receiving yards, his most since Week 1 against UTSA (140), scoring on a 44- yard catch as well as a 92-yard punt return. Wilkins’ impact was more notable on the ground, scoring what ended up being the game-clinching touchdown off of a 45-yard keeper with 1:23 to play.
Next. ASU Football: Why Eno Benjamin is the most important player down the stretch. dark
After picking up their first road victory of the season, the Sun Devils return home, where they are 3-1 in 2018, with an opportunity to take command of the Pac-12 South.