ASU Football: Halftime Analysis as Sun Devils lead Utah

ASU football leads No. 15 Utah 21-17 at halftime as both offenses have combined for 488 yards of total offense with N’Keal Harry catching two touchdowns.

The Arizona State Sun Devils jumped out to an early 14-0 lead against No. 15 Utah before the Utes mounted a comeback. Utah responded with 17 unanswered points behind a strong rushing attack that amounted a total of 129 rushing yards in the first half.

A late drive from Manny Wilkins and Co. put the Sun Devils ahead behind a 23-yard passing touchdown to N’Keal Harry as ASU leads at the half 21-17.

Fast start for ASU

The Sun Devils got off to a fast start behind big plays from both receiver Brandon Aiyuk and running back Eno Benjamin. The duo secured plays of 31 and 26 yards respectively to set up ASU with scoring drives their first two possessions.

In Arizona State’s first possession the team relied heavily on the running attack as ASU ran the ball seven times for 23 yards. The Sun Devils were bailed out after failing to convert on third down inside the Utes ten-yard line.

After the failed conversion, Utah was called for targeting following a replay review giving ASU a first and goal from the seven. The Sun Devils converted behind a six-yard touchdown run from Benjamin.

ASU would regain possession after an interception by Aashari Crosswell who intercepted the ball at his own goal line and took the ball 47 yards before being taken down. The interception followed by a Benjamin 26-yard rush and a three-yard touchdown strike to N’Keal Harry gave the Sun Devils an early 14-0 lead.

Sun Devils rushing attack

The Sun Devils will have faced the No. 1, 2 and 3 ranked rush defenses in the nation following today’s matchup. ASU ran the ball 29 times for 44 yards against the No. 1 rush defense in Michigan State, and 24 times for 36 yards against No. 2 San Diego State.

After two disappointing performances on the ground against top-ranked rush defenses, the Sun Devils came out and have run the ball effectively against the third-ranked rush defense in the nation. ASU ran the ball for 70 yards in the first quarter alone against a Utes defense that has allowed only 81.1 yards on the ground per contest.

The rushing attack was slowed down in the second quarter as Utah regained their dominant form allowing a mere 32 yards in the second quarter and a total of 102 in the first half.

Utah dominated the line of scrimmage

After an interception in the team’s opening drive, the Utes answered with three straight scoring drives with two touchdowns and a field goal. The offense leaned heavily on the rushing attack from the beginning as Utah ran the ball 11 times in the first period for 83 yards.

The rushing attack was led by running back Zack Moss who finished the first half with 70 yards and a rushing touchdown. Moss was a crucial part of the first scoring drive of three as he capped off the drive with a touchdown.

The junior back continued his dominance the following drive as he followed a 36-yard punt return by sophomore Britain Covey with a 17-yard rush to set up a 40-yard field goal from Matt Gay.

Co-heading the offensive attack was quarterback Tyler Huntley who finished the first half with 88 yards and a touchdown through the air alongside 42 rushing yards on eight attempts.

Huntley used his legs and his arm on the third scoring as he had a 23-yard run on the drive and a touchdown pass to take the lead at 17-14.