ASU Football: Sun Devils lead Northern Arizona 10-3 at the half

The Manny Wilkins era at Arizona State is off to a sluggish start as the Sun Devils lead the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks 10-3 at the half. The Lumberjacks outgained the Sun Devils in the first quarter and lead ASU in passing yards 143-71

After NAU attempted a pooch-kick to start the game that the Sun Devils returned to the Lumberjack 44-yard line, ASU needed just over two minutes to score their first (and only) touchdown of the half. The Sun Devils drove 44 yards on seven plays -- all rushes -- and found the endzone on a 13-yard touchdown run by Manny Wilkins to give ASU a 7-0 lead.

The Lumberjacks moved the ball on their first drive thanks to a pair of 20-plus yard completions from quarterback Chase Cookus to Eliah Marks. The Sun Devils stuffed a run up the middle on fourth and one at their own 19-yard line to takeover on downs.

The following drive, Wilkins completed his first pass as a Sun Devil, a 15-yard bubble screen to Tim White. Two plays later, Wilkins threw his first career interception to NAU freshman defensive back Cole Sterns. After picking up two first downs, the Lumberjacks were forced to punt on their second drive of the game.

After forcing an ASU three-and-out and taking over at the ASU 45-yard line, the Lumberjacks finally got on the board early in the second quarter on a 25-yard field goal from Griffin Roehler. The score pulled NAU within 7-3 with 13:26 left in the half.

Following their touchdown drive to start the game, the Sun Devils turned the ball over twice and punted twice. ASU mustered just one first down on their next four drives. The Sun Devils added points with less than two minutes to play in the half on a Zane Gonzalez 33-yard field goal giving ASU a 10-3 lead heading into the half.