Recap: Arizona State vs Fresno State

Arizona State falls in game 3 of the season to Fresno State in disastrous fashion. After holding their own against a gritty Oklahoma State team the Sun Devils came out flat against the Bulldogs, not even mustering a point, getting shutout for the first time at home since 1988 losing by a final score of 29-0, and dropping to 1-2 on the season.

The outcome is not one that Sun Devil fans had hoped for, especially by that score but nothing went right for the Devils after the first kick.

Offensively the Sun Devils were led by Trenton Bourguet for a drive and a half to start the game before he went down with injury. Notre Dame sophomore transfer Drew Pyne, also coming off injury towards the end of fall camp, took the reigns of the offense for one snap before fumbling the ball on a strip sack.

Pyne’s time on the field was short-lived as he left the game in the 3rd quarter with a minor injury, ushering in the 4th string QB and BYU sophomore transfer Jacob Conover.  The Arizona State offense finished with 8 turnovers (5 INTs and 3 fumbles), somehow managing to muster 230 total yards for the game and only crossing into Fresno State territory a few times.

Defensively, what a performance and outstanding effort, how Fresno State wasn’t able to score more is amazing, with the number of times the Sun Devils turned the ball over and in their own half of the field, if Arizona State was playing against a top 5 or 10 team that capitalizes on mistakes this game would have been much uglier.

This Sun Devil defense is the backbone of this team and it showed that with their performance, holding true to form and only allowing 69 rushing yards on the flip side, however, allowing 281 passing yards while only giving up two touchdowns.

To put this game into feelings is hard, it’s never fun to lose, and feels even worse to get shutout at home, however, rebuilding takes time, and changing the culture that is Sun Devil football takes time.

Arizona State football is on the right path with head coach Kenny Dillingham and he is doing the best he can with the talent he has on the team, being competitive and playing hard is all anyone can ask of this year’s team, the offense needs some work, but the defense has the passion.

Next up the Sun Devils take on #5 ranked USC in Tempe on Saturday, September 23rd at 10:30 ET on FOX.