ASU Football: Sun Devils host Utah in pivotal Pac-12 South matchup

After a big road win at USC, ASU football hosts the Pac-12 South leaders, 15th-ranked Utah, as the Sun Devils look to climb back into the race.

It’s homecoming week for Arizona State and Saturday’s big game should match the occasion.

The Sun Devils return home to host the 15th-ranked Utah Utes in a game filled with Pac-12 South implications.

Utah is the divisional leaders with a 4-2 conference record while Arizona State sits at 2-3 in conference play.

A loss would eliminate the Sun Devils from Pac-12 South contention.

The Sun Devils are hoping they can carry over last week’s momentum after defeating USC 38-35.

Arizona State jumped out to a 24-7 lead in the second quarter only to see USC score three unanswered touchdowns to take a 28-24 lead.

We’ve seen ASU all season struggle in the second half and not react well to adversity. Last Saturday, they broke that trend.

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Wide receiver N’Keal Harry sparked the Sun Devils with a 92-yard punt return for touchdown that stunned the Coliseum crowd. That wasn’t even his best play of the game.

Harry made arguably the catch of the season in college football make an OBJ-esque catch falling backwards and snagging the ball over his shoulder with one hand.

It was a jaw-dropping performance that shifted the momentum back into Arizona State’s favor.

Quarterback Manny Wilkins sealed the victory with a game-clinching 45-yard touchdown run with 1:23 remaining in regulation.

Now ASU will prepare to face the hottest team in the conference in Utah.

The Utes have won four in a row in after an 0-2 Pac-12 start having scored at least 40 points in every game of the winning streak.

Utah is coming off a 41-10 win over UCLA in a game where running back Zack Moss rushed for 211 yards and three touchdowns.

Quarterback Tyler Huntley didn’t play well in the blowout throwing for 138 yards and one interception, but Utah still ended up with 470 yards of total offense.

Utah’s defense is now playing up to preseason expectations as they shut down the Bruins offense holding them to 270 total yards of offense while forcing three turnovers.

Arizona State will look to replicate last year’s success against Utah after beating them 30-10 last season thanks to a stout defensive performance.

The Sun Devils defense recorded six tackles for loss, two sacks and four interceptions against the Huntley and the Utes. Moss was also limited to just 52 yards on 12 carries.

With the majority of Utah’s starters back, Arizona State should be able to have similar success especially at home where the Sun Devils are 3-1 this season.

A win is crucial for Arizona State as they look to take one step closer to bowl eligibility. The Sun Devils will have UCLA at home next Saturday before ending the season on the road against Oregon and Arizona.

Broadcast Information:

Kickoff: 1 p.m. PT

TV: Pac-12 Network

Stream: Pac-12.com and Pac-12 Now app

Broadcast Team: Ted Robinson, Yogi Roth and Jill Savage

Next. ASU Football: Huntley, Wilkins key in afternoon showdown in Tempe. dark

Arizona State will make their third appearance on Pac-12 Network this season with the Sun Devils posting a 1-1 record defeating Oregon State and losing to Colorado.

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