Devils Punish the Utes in a 38-20 Homecoming Victory

Mike Stockman

TEMPE, AZ (November 3, 2018) The Arizona State University Sun Devils hosted the Pac-12 South leader Utah Utes on a beautiful 79 degree Saturday afternoon at Sun Devil Stadium on November 3, 2018. After winning last year's game in Utah, this year for homecoming the Devils shocked the #16 ranked Utes by a score of 38-20, increasing the Devils' lead in the series to 22-8-0.

Harry had 3 TDs in the air, Benjamin had 2 TDs on the ground

The Devils started the game strong, scoring twice in the first quarter. Eno Benjamin, who has over 1000 yards rushing on the season, scored the first of his two touchdowns on a 6 yard run. N'Keal Harry, scored his first of three on a 3 yard touchdown pass from Manny Wilkins who ended the game with a quarterback rating of 211.8.

With less than a minute left in the first quarter, the Utes got on the board when Zack Moss punched it in for a one yard touchdown run. 

In the second quarter, the Utes would add a 40 yard field goal from Matt Gay, then take the lead for the first and only time of the game on a 5 yard touchdown pass from Tyler Huntley to Samson Nacua, making the score 17-14.

On the following possession, the Devils drove the length of the field and took the lead back for good with 1:01 left in the half when Wilkins hit Harry for his second of three touchdowns, a 23 yard touchdown pass which gave the Devils the lead 21-17.

In the third quarter, both teams turned the ball over on interceptions in their first possessions. 

With 5:33 left in the third quarter, the Utes' quarterback Tyler Huntley was injured trying to scramble outside the pocket, bringing red-shirt freshman Jason Shelley unto the field. Shelley drove the Utes to the Devils' 13, setting up a 31 yard field goal making the score 21-20.

To start the fourth quarter, Wilkins connected with Harry over the middle for a 61 yard touchdown pass, extending the Devils' lead to 28-20.

With 10:27 left in the game, Harry demonstrated why he's one of the top NCAA receivers, catching a screen on the left side of the field, running back to the right adding to his already impressive stats on the game with 161 yards receiving and three touchdowns, putting Devils in field goal position.  The Devils add to the score, 31-20.

Devils have a chance to win Pac-12 South with upset over Utah

The final score of the game came when Benjamin scored on a 44 yard touchdown run up the middle, Devils lead 38-20.

On the following drive, the Utes drive the length of the field only to be intercepted in the corner of the end zone with 3:11 left in the game.

The Pac-12 South is up for grabs with all six teams showing 3 losses in the Pac-12 each.

The Utes (6-3, 4-3 Pac-12) host the Oregon Ducks at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 10, 2018.

The Devils (5-4, 3-2 Pac-12) host the struggling ULCA Bruins November 10 for the final home game of the 2018 season at noon.

Early goal gives Wildcats soccer victory at Sun Devils

By Scott Mammoser

TEMPE, Ariz. – Morgan McGarry executed in the sixth minute to give the University of Arizona women’s soccer team an early lead it sustained in its 1-0 win at rival Arizona State on Friday.

After hitting the post twice on the same possession, McGarry earned her third goal of the year on the Wildcats’ third attempt, with Samantha Falasco credited for the assist.

The Wildcats close their regular season at 12-5-2 and 5-4-2 in the Pac-12 Conference, holding a No. 27 RPI, all but ensuring them an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament. ASU meanwhile fell to 10-6-1 and 5-4-1 with a No. 40 RPI, placing it squarely on the bubble. There is one more match to play for ASU, however, that could change everything. The top-ranked team in the nation, undefeated-and defending national champion Stanford visits Tempe at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

“Everything is possible,” ASU coach Graham Winkworth said of upsetting Stanford. “When I was at South Alabama, we played Florida State, and they were No. 1. I explained to the girls that if you go a goal down, that doesn’t mean the game is over. But, even if there is a small chance, you need to understand the possibility is alive, it’s 11 players against 11 players. We’re going to go out there and give our best and show it is possible to play Stanford and get a result.”

The Sun Devils were on a four-game winning streak- their second such streak of the season, and Arizona has now won three consecutively against ASU.

“It was a little bit frustrating,” ASU defender Jemma Purfield said. “It’s disappointing because it’s a big rivalry, and we want to win games, and we’re playing for a lot. We’ll bounce back, and I’m so proud of the girls and the fight.”

Although the seniors were honored before the game on Friday, Sunday will be the final time the following players take the pitch at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium: Purfield, goalkeeper Sydney Day, midfielder Adriana Orozco, forward Casey Martinez, midfielder Madison Wolfe, defender Melinda Gutierrez, forward Natalie Stephens, and defender Angela Boyle.

“It was a hard one to swallow, but we’re going to put this one to bed,” Martinez added. “Our season is not over. Our attitudes need to be in the right place. I am so blessed to be here at ASU, it’s been such a transformative year for me, and I love the team atmosphere.”