Sun Devils comfortably lead over Northern Arizona at half

TEMPE–Despite dominating all three facets of the game, Arizona State has shown a little rust. Penalties have been a thorn in the side of the Sun Devils so far.

The Sun Devils lead 17-6 Over the Lumberjacks at the half. 

Arizona State had two 15-yard penalties in one NAU drive that ended in a fourth-down stop on the Arizona State four. The Sun Devils have committed nine penalties, with two delay of game penalties on special teams as well.

Offensively, the Sun Devils have been boom or bust, either scoring or going three-and-out on drives. On one of the scoring drives, the Sun Devils converted a fake punt on a direct snap to junior running back Kyson Brown for 34 yards.

Redshirt junior Jordan Tyson has looked great with seven catches for 83 yards and a touchdown. Tyson recorded his 100th career catch in the first quarter.

Brown has had the bulk of playing time for the running backs, but redshirt junior Raleek Brown and junior Kanye Udoh have seen action as well. Kyson Brown has seven touches for 84 yards. Raleek Brown has looked electric; he has hurdled defenders and could have returned a kick for a touchdown if he had not fallen. He has five touches for 50 yards.

The defense has looked good as a whole. The unit has produced three three-and-outs at the midway point of the game. The run defense has looked good as NAU has 14 rushes for only 20 yards.

The special teams unit has looked good. Sophomore linebacker Martell Hughes blocked a punt. Redshirt senior kicker Jesus Gomez is two-for-two on extra points and made a 36-yard field goal. He missed a 57-yard field goal at the end of the half. The only other blemish on the special teams was a poor 22-yard punt from sophomore Kanyon Floyd. 

The Sun Devils are on pace to win this game.