(Tempe, AZ) The Devils came into this game facing the #6 ranked Oregon Ducks. The all-time series lead is owned by the Ducks 20-17.
The Ducks had a lot more to lose and ASU came into the contest very loose. The Devils aren’t playing out the string, as they were one game away from Bowl eligibility for the fifth straight game.
Oregon took the opening kickoff, went twenty nine yards but the Devils defense stiffened and forced the punt.
ASU’s first possession looked dim even after a completed pass to Frank Darby that was called back due to a penalty. The Sun Devils didn’t help their own cause committing two motion penalties and were also forced to punt.
The Ducks got twenty eight yard completion to Johnny Johnson don to the ASU five yard line. A play later Cyrus Habibi-Likio took it into the end zone and the Ducks took the early lead 7-0 with 6:32 left in the first quarter.
It didn’t take ASU long to even the contest. Jayden Daniels took four plays to go seventy five yards in 1:37. Daniels to Darby on a fly route for fifty seven yards to pay dirt knotted the score at 7-7.
Oregon’s ability to move the ball was evident, but the Sun Devil defense rose up to stop a fourth and one from the Devil six. Why the Ducks didn’t go for the chip shot field goal was a terrible decision.
On a drive that started with 10:34 left in the first half, Daniels guided the offense was a combination of good plays, but the penalty bug played a negative role. The Daniels to Darby combination got ASU to the Duck thirteen yard line, but the next play a motion penalty.
The drive culminated in a Christian Zendejas field goal to put the Sun Devils up 10-7 with 3:40 left in the half.
The Sun Devils were much more effective in the second quarter and led Oregon at the half 256-195 in total yards. The pass was Sparky’s bread and butter as Darby had three catches for ninety nine yards and Brandon Aiyuk added seventy seven yards on four catches.
ASU got the second half kickoff and marched down the field and Zendejas kicked a twenty eight yard field goal that got the lead to 13-7.
The Sun Devils were getting the minimum results out of the maximum field position, after all this was the #6 team in the nation. Field goals made when you’re inside the opponents ten yard line more times than not will come back and bite you.
After the Ducks pinned ASU back on their own three yard line midway through the third quarter, got to midfield before the drive stalled. The Devils did flip the field however and now the Ducks had to start on their own five yard line with 5;55 left in the third quarter.
Oregon quickly got out of the shadow of their own end zone with a twenty three yard scamper by Travis Dye. On a third and eight, the non-existent pass rush came through and sacked Justin Hebert forcing a Duck punt.
After ASU gave the ball back to Oregon, Herbert immediately threw an interception to the Devil’s Jack Jones. Sparky was back in business at the Duck twenty one yard line. After a snap infraction Darby hauled in a twenty six yard pass in the back of the end zone and ASU finally got the elusive touchdown they needed. The ensuing two point conversion was good after the play review. Devils up 21-7 with 12:43 left in the game.
Deja vu when ASU picked off Herbert again and found themselves on the Duck twenty yard line. Before tonight, Hebert had only had three picks in the entire season.
Once again, the Devils couldn’t punch it in, salvaging a twenty two yard field goal by Zendejas which made it a three score lead, 24-7 and 8:42 left in the game.
Habibi-Likio got the Ducks back on the board from ten yards out and it only took :59 to go seventy five up yards, 24-14.
The Devils by scoring field goals and not touchdowns let Oregon back in the game with two consecutive to touchdowns in less than three minutes 24-21.
Aiyuk saved the game for ASU with a catch and run for eighty one yards and the touchdown 31-21 and only 3:46 left in the contest.
The Ducks scored with lightning speed in nine plays for sixty two yards. With 2:03 to go it was 31-28. Where was this Oregon offense during the middle of the game?
ASU ran out the clock on their final possession and the Devils upset the #6 team in the nation 31-28!
There was almost 1000 yards of total offense in the game with 712 yards coming through the air.
The fourth quarter saw five touchdowns scored as the furious Duck comeback fell short.
On paper, ASU was 3-3 in the Red Zone, but coming away with three field goals almost cost the Devils the game.
Two key late interceptions dealt the death blow to Oregon as the clock was their enemy down the stretch.
The win did several things for the struggling Devils. Assured of a Bowl Game and a non losing season. Knocking Oregon out of the College Football Playoffs and breaking a four game skid.
The pressure is now off with the Territorial Cup game next week against arch rival Arizona.
Attendance was 51,875
