ASU Football: Absences of Harry, Robertson felt in Las Vegas Bowl defeat

Struggles from ASU football in the second half of the Las Vegas Bowl showed how much the team missed Merlin Robertson and N’Keal Harry.

Entering the week, Arizona State knew N’Keal Harry wasn’t available. But on Thursday, the Sun Devils caught a wind of double trouble.

It was reported that freshman linebacker Merlin Robertson, the Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year and a USA Today Freshman All-American, could miss ASU’s bowl game. Today, it was confirmed, leaving the Sun Devils without their two top playmakers.

What ensued was the expected – ASU’s first double-digit loss of the season. After playing an even first half with Fresno State in Saturday’s Las Vegas Bowl, the Sun Devils were outscored by the Bulldogs 14-3 and out-yarded 281-63 in the final 30 minutes.

In that span, the Sun Devils went three-and-out in five of their offensive possessions. Their other drives ended with a 44-yard field goal from Brandon Ruiz and an interception by Manny Wilkins in the waning moments.

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)

On defense, ASU had a crucial development. Fresno State quarterback Marcus McMaryion had thrown only three interceptions prior to the game, but Aashari Crosswell and Chase Lucas each picked him off in the third quarter.

Still, the turnovers couldn’t hide the obvious – a rough performance from ASU’s entire unit. Fresno State sophomore running back Ronnie Rivers had one game over 100 yards rushing this season, but on Saturday, he torched the Sun Devils with 212 yards and two touchdowns.

The effort contrasted a dominant first half for ASU, where they outgained the Bulldogs by 75 yards and went 6-of-9 on third down attempts. Sophomore running back and AP Third Team All American Eno Benjamin led the way, rushing for 92 yards and one touchdown while passing Woody Green as the all-time single-season rush leader in program history.

But in the second half, Benjamin was stonewalled. He accumulated only 26 yards on nine carries as the Bulldogs began to anticipate his production.

Normally, Harry would be there to back Benjamin up. A 6-foot-4, 213-pound target in the secondary, Harry’s ability to lure safeties allowed Benjamin to be consistent for many of ASU’s games.

Without that presence, it wasn’t the same.

Likewise, the lack of a defensive anchor proved ruinous. Robertson’s impact was well-documented, especially in ASU’s Dec. 15 loss to Oregon. After the Ducks scored 28 points in the first half, Robertson helped limit OU to three in his second-half return, proving to be the unit’s leader.

But after giving up 436 yards of total offense today, the Sun Devils again learned they’re not the same without him.

With the loss, ASU finishes its first season under coach Herm Edwards with a 7-6 record. As five losses came by single digits, it’s easy to think about what could’ve been.

But now, it’s time for a shift. Next season, the Sun Devils’ best offensive weapons, with the exception of Benjamin, will be gone. On defense, Robertson, Crosswell and Darien Butler will be young veterans for a unit that’s expected to grow over the upcoming offseason.

And with elite recruits, including four-star quarterback Jayden Daniels, ASU will have expectations to meet.

Today, the Sun Devils experienced what a lack of direction can bring. Next season, it’ll be up to Robertson to regain that role and others to step into it.