ASU vs. Wisconsin First Quarter Recap: Sun Devils Dominate Battle of Field Position

If the game between Arizona State and Wisconsin comes down to a battle of field position, then the Sun Devils gained a leg up early.

Arizona State had three first quarter possessions and the Sun Devils' average starting spot is their own 45-yard line. Wisconsin has had three possessions but has twice started from inside its own ten-yard line.

Taylor Kelly opened up the game with a dart to wide receiver Rick Smith who dropped the pass in the open field. The Sun Devils recovered and drove all the way down to the Badgers' three-yard line before failing to convert a fourth down attempt.

The Badgers went three and out on their first possession and Arizona State took over at Wisconsin's 39-yard line. The Sun Devils struggled to move the football and Taylor Kelly used a pooch punt on fourth down to pin the Badgers inside their own eight-yard line.

When the Sun Devils regained possession, they drove down near the Badger red zone but failed to convert a third down attempt. Freshman kicker Zane Gonzalez kicked a 34-yard field goal to give Arizona State an early 3-0 lead.

The Sun Devils have scored first in 13 of their 15 games under Todd Graham and have been victorious in nine of those games.

Arizona State outgained Wisconsin 103-31 in the first quarter and outrushed Wisconsin 47-3.