College Sports

No. 22 Arizona State powers past Stanford for 28-10 win

Posted October 09, 2021 7:00 am

By JOHN MARSHALL

Arizona State running back Rachaad White (3) leaps over Stanford safety Alaka'i Gilman as Stanford linebacker Levani Damuni gives chase during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) The Associated Press

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) - Deandre Pierce scored a 27-yard touchdown on a lateral off an interception and No. 22 Arizona State rode its explosive run game to a 28-10 win over Stanford on Friday night.

The Sun Devils (5-0, 3-0 Pac-12) exploited one of the nation's worst run defenses, racking up 255 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Jayden Daniels provided the balance, throwing for 175 yards and running for 76 more, including a 51-yard touchdown.

Stanford (3-3, 2-2) had no answer for Arizona State's run game and became one dimensional offensively after falling behind, limited to 9 yards rushing on 20 carries.

Tanner McKee threw for 356 yards and a touchdown, but had his first three interceptions of the season. Pierce scored in the third quarter after Jack Jones stepped in front of a receiver for an interception and lateralled just before hitting the ground.

Both teams were coming off big wins.

Stanford took down Oregon 31-24 by sending the game to overtime with a touchdown on an untimed final play of regulation.

Arizona State picked up one of its biggest wins under coach Herm Edwards, knocking off then-No. 20 UCLA 42-23.

The Sun Devils kept rolling against the Cardinal with an onslaught of big plays.

Daniels scrambled through a hole up the middle, ran away from two Stanford defenders who collided and raced off for a 51-yard touchdown run on Arizona State's opening drive.

Raachad White scored on a 5-yard run, one play after leaping a defender for a 29-yard gain. The Sun Devils pulled off consecutive trick plays covering 54 yards, the second Elijhah Badger's 22-yard TD run on a reverse to lead 21-7 at halftime.

Arizona State's offense stagnated in the second half, but the defense came up with the big plays when it needed.

Stanford had some early success on offense and scored when McKee hit Elijah Higgins on a 6-yard corner fade. The Cardinal stalled after that and McKee threw his first interception of the season on a pass that caromed off two players' hands in the closing seconds of the first half.

The interception-lateral TD put Arizona State up 28-10 in the third quarter and Jordan Clark came up with Arizona State's third interception when McKee threw behind a receiver.

THE TAKEAWAY

Stanford's run defense was no match for the hard-running Sun Devils and its offense was nearly all passing after the Cardinal fell into an early hole.

Arizona State has put together consecutive impressive wins with power running, good decision-making by Daniels and an opportunistic defense.

UP NEXT

Stanford play at Washington State on Oct. 16.

Arizona State is at Utah Oct. 16.

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Arizona State quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) gets past the Stanford defense as he runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) The Associated Press

Arizona State defensive lineman Tyler Johnson, right, sacks Stanford quarterback Tanner McKee during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) The Associated Press

Stanford punter Ryan Sanborn, left, checks on an injured kicker Emmet Kenney (13) after a made extra point against Arizona State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) The Associated Press

Arizona State quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) celebrates his touchdown run against Stanford with running back DeaMonte Trayanum (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) The Associated Press

Stanford running back Nathaniel Peat tries to to fend off Arizona State defensive back Chase Lucas (24) as Arizona State defensive back Evan Fields (4) watches during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) The Associated Press

Stanford wide receiver Elijah Higgins (6) makes a touchdown catch against Arizona State defensive back Timarcus Davis (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) The Associated Press

Stanford defensive end Tucker Fisk, right front, helps sacks Arizona State quarterback Jayden Daniels during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) The Associated Press

Arizona State running back Rachaad White (3) runs for a touchdown against Stanford during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) The Associated Press

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