ASU Football: Arizona State vs. No. 6 Oregon Instant Recap

The Arizona State Sun Devils (6-5, 3-5 Pac-12) pulled off the upset 31-28 against the No. 6 Oregon Ducks (9-2, 7-1) on Saturday.

Each team traded punts on their first series. The fireworks started after that. The Ducks struck first on a five-yard score from running back Cyrus Habibi-Likio. The big play on the drive came a pass from quarterback Justin Herbert to Johnny Johnson for 28 yards to put the Ducks in the red zone.

The Sun Devils responded quickly, it only took four plays to even the score. Jayden Daniels hit Frank Darby on a double move to tie the game on a 57-yard throw.

Arizona State’s defense came up big the next drive. Oregon went for it on a fourth-and-one at the Sun Devil’s six-yard-line. The Ducks didn’t convert and the Sun Devils got the ball back.

Cristian Zendejas had the lone points in the second quarter. He made a 25-yard kick to give Arizona State its first lead since the Washington State win. The drive had a chance at more but stalled after penalties and poor execution.

On the Sun Devils’ opening drive of the second half Kyle Williams made a huge play. The wide receiver broke a ton of tackles for a 46-yard gain. That setup Zendejas for his second make of the game.

The defense set up Arizona State’s next scoring attempt. Herbert was late on a comeback attempt and Jack Jones picked him off.

The offense took over on the Ducks’ side of the field. The drive didn’t appear to be going anywhere until Daniels went deep for Darby again. Despite a pass interference, Darby hauled in another score from 26 yards out. Daniels then hit Eno Benjamin on the two-point conversation.

Herbert on the following drive threw another pick, this time to Khaylan Kearse-Thomas. That set up the third Zendejas field goal of the night.

The Ducks scored again finally in the fourth quarter. After a screen pass to Johnson got the Ducks 39 yards, Habibi-Likio scored from 10 yards out.

Oregon forced a three-and-out and closed the gap to three quickly. Herbert made three nice passes with the final one, a touchdown to Johnson, wide open after the Sun Devils bit on the play action on the screen.

It appeared the Ducks turned the tide with a sack on Daniels to force third and long. Instead the next played brought life back to the Sun Devils. Daniels found Brandon Aiyuk wide open for a 81-yard score to make it 31-21.

Oregon took nine plays, using only 1:42 of the clock to score another touchdown. This time a screen to Johnson from 17 yards out.

Arizona State got the onside kick and ran out the clock.

Daneils went 22-for-32, 408 yards and three touchdowns. Herbert’s line looked like 20-for-36, 304 yards, two touchdowns and two picks. Oregon’s leading rusher was C.J. Verdell, who had 99 yards on 18 rushes. Benjamin led the Sun Devils with 31 rushes for 114 yards. The top receivers were Oregon’s Johnny Johnson; 10 receptions, 207 yards and a pair of scores and Arizona State’s Aiyuk; seven catches for 161 yards and a score.

The Sun Devils will host their rivals, the Arizona Wildcats next week at a 8:00 p.m. on Saturday.