San Diego State Aztecs Stun the Devils on Frank Kush Day

Mike Stockman
Phoenix Area Sports

ASU Coach Frank Kush (HC '58-'79)

TEMPE, ARIZONA (September 9, 2017) On Saturday evening, the Arizona State University Sun Devils honored former Coach Frank Kush (head coach '58-'79, .764, 176-54-1). It was not an honorable showing on the field when the San Diego State University Aztecs stunned and controlled the Devils in an embarrassing 30-20 defeat on September 9, at Sun Devil Stadium.

Coming into the game, the Devils led the series 10-0-1. This was another tough game for the Devils who have problems against rushing teams. This week the Aztecs were able to produce 281 yards rushing, averaging 6.7 yards per carry.

In the first quarter, the Devils defense got two sacks to end the first drive of the Aztecs and force a punt. The Devils were unable to move the ball but were able to pin the Aztecs inside their one yard line on a perfectly placed punt by Michael Sleep-Dalton (redshirt-sophomore).

Fans were treated with halftime show honoring Frank Kush

On third down from the five yard line, Aztecs' running back Rashaad Penny sprinted 95 yards up the middle for a touchdown, giving the Aztecs an early lead and quieting the crowd. This was the third longest rush in Aztec school history. The Aztecs led 7-0.

On the last play of the first quarter, the Devils' Kalen Ballage scored on a one yard TD run, his third TD of the season. The score was tied 7-7.

On the first play of the second quarter, the Devils kick off to Penny who flew past Devils for a 99 yard kickoff return touchdown. This was Penny's sixth career kickoff return for touchdown, a school record and his second TD of the game, now 14-7.

The Aztecs were able to hold off the Devils and in the middle of the second quarter were able to add a 30 yard field goal to increase the score to 17-7 over the Devils.

With less than five minutes in the half, the Devils drove down field and scored on a five yard touchdown pass from Manny Wilkins to N'Keal Harry, making the score 17-14.

After holding the Devils deep in their territory, the Aztecs got the ball back and scored another field goal with :11 left in the half, 20-14.

Aztecs' Rashaad Penny scored 3 touchdowns in 30-20 win.

By half time, the Aztecs compiled 198 yards rushing, but only 28 yards passing due to the Devils' defense producing three sacks.

In the third quarter,  the Aztecs increase the lead when Penny added to his touchdown count by receiving a 22 yard touchdown pass making the score 27-14.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Aztecs extend the lead with a 32 yard field goal by John Baron, 30-14.

With 8:34 left in the game, the Devils were faced with a third down and 37.  Wilkins scrambled and chased out of pocket but was able to hit Frank Darby on a deep throw for a 53 yard touchdown, the biggest play of the night for the struggling Devil offense. The extra point attempt was missed making the final score 30-20.

After the game, Coach Todd Graham, with his head low, stated "this was not how we wanted to honor Frank Kush".

The Aztecs will host the Stanford Cardinal on September 16, at 7:30 p.m. The game will be broadcasted on CBSSN.

The Devils travel to Lubbock for their first road game of the season to take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders on September 16, at 5p.m. The game will be broadcasted on FSN.

Ballage Scores Twice in Home Opener Win Over New Mexico State Aggies

Mike Stockman
Phoenix Area Sports

TEMPE, AZ (August 31, 2017) - The Arizona State University Sun Devils had just enough air left in their sails to pull out a victory over the New Mexico State Aggies on Thursday evening, August 31, at Sun Devil Stadium, winning by a score of 37-31.

Fans experience new screen and other renovations.

This was the first time these teams have met since 1999. In that game on September 18, 1999, the Aggies won 35-7. The Devils lead the series against the Aggies 22-7-1.

The Aggies, currently playing in the Sun Belt Conference, stepped on the field Thursday evening looking like an underdog against the Pac-12 South Devils who boasts an Opening Day home record of 77-27-2.

Within the first few minutes of the game, it appeared it could become a blow out.  In the first quarter, Kalen Ballage scored the first touchdown of the season on a seven yard run off the right tackle. Freshman kicker Brandon Ruiz made the extra point.

On the Devils' next possession, Manny Wilkins hits TE Jalen Harvey down the middle for a 53 yd TD pass. Ruiz makes the extra point, making the score 14-0 with over 8 minutes left in the first quarter.

At that point, the Aggies buckled down and began to hold back the onslaught. In the second quarter, the Aggies' QB Tyler Rogers found Jaleel Scott for a 15 yard touchdown. The extra point was blocked. Rogers finished the night 40-57-2 for 398 yards, and three TDs.

Just before the end of the first half, Tyler Rogers scored on a 1 yard run, silencing Sun Devil Stadium and making the score 14-13.

In the third quarter, the Devils got to experience the strength of their new kicker's leg when he cleared the uprights on a 52 yard field goal. The scor
e didn't stay still for long. Within a minute, the Devils got the ball back and Wilkins connected with John Humphrey on a 60 yard TD reception.

Going into the fourth quarter, it appeared the Devils would walk away with the scoring when Ballage scored his second TD of the game on a 20 yard run, followed by the defense getting their first score of the season when Kobe Williams intercepted Rogers and ran it back 50 yards for a pick six. The score was now 37-13.

Kalen Ballage scores 2 TDs

That would not discourage the Aggies who were putting up better numbers on both sides of the ball minus the two turn-overs.

With less than 9 minutes left, the Aggies' HB Jason Huntley shoots up the middle faster than a speeding bullet for a 50 yard touchdown run.

With just over 5 minutes left, Rogers hits Huntley for a 23 yard TD pass, making the score 37-25.

At this point, it appeared the Devils could barely keep up and seemed out of breath, not producing much giving the ball back to the Aggies who scored on the final play of the game on a jump ball TD for 29 yards from Rogers to Scott - his second of the game. The score - 37-31.

The Aggies will be at New Mexico for their next game on September 9. Game time is 6 p.m.

The Devils host San Diego State on September 9 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, AZ. Game time is 8 p.m. and will be broadcasted on Pac-12 Network.