Arizona State fell to the Colorado Buffaloes, 28-21, on Saturday night. The Sun Devils traveled to Boulder to take on the no. 21 team and they quickly learned why they’ve crept their way into the top 25.
ASU kept the score tight, even leading three different times, but they couldn’t hold off the Buffs in the end.
RB Eno Benjamin rushed for 120 yards on the night, a drastic change from his 312 yards against Oregon State last week. He was able to rush for two touchdowns throughout the first and second quarters. But, the Colorado defense had other plans for him after the half as he was held to only 23 yards throughout the rest of the game.
The Sun Devil defense couldn’t catch a break either, as they allowed almost 500 yards from the Buffs. Colorado’s offensive line seemed to be unblemished against the Sun Devils. And to add to that, WR Laviska Shenault Jr. managed to get a touchdown in the first, second and third quarters. He’s leading the nation in receiving and the ASU defense was brutally unprepared for him.
Another Pac-12 game under the belt and Arizona State sits just above 0-5 UCLA in the Pac-12 South.
Here’s how our Arizona State prospects performed in week six.
QB Manny Wilkins
Week 5 Stats vs. Colorado: 12/18, 222 YDS, 1 TD
The most exciting play to come from Wilkins against Colorado was a 72-yard pass play. The QB and his offense were just outweighed by the Buffs defense, going 5/11 on third down efficiency and 0/1 on fourth downs. Wilkins was able to utilize the run game with Benjamin scoring two touchdowns. He was able to connect with WR Frank Darby for a 40-yard pass for a touchdown, but none of this was enough to outlast Colorado.
Grade vs. Colorado: B-
Draft Stock: 6th – 7th Round
RB Eno Benjamin
Week 5 Stats vs. Colorado: 28 CAR, 120 YDS, 2 TD
Benjamin led the Sun Devil offense in rushing, again. He’s led the team in rushing yards in every game this season. Coming off last week’s record-breaking game, Benjamin was held to only 120 rush yards against the Buffs.
The RB had a 1-yard run for a touchdown in each of the first and second quarters. After halftime, Benjamin couldn’t get anything going. The Buffs defense held him to just 23 yards in the third and fourth quarters. He seemed like the savior the Sun Devils needed for this run game against Colorado but once their defense got into their swing, Benjamin didn’t stand a chance.
Grade vs. Colorado: B+
Draft Stock: 5th – 6th Round
DB Chase Lucas
Week 5 Stats vs. Colorado: 5 TOT, 2 SOLO
Lucas was overshadowed by his fellow defensive backs, specifically S Jalen Harvey. Harvey has emerged as a key player in the Sun Devil defense, leaving Lucas in the dust. The DB’s game against Oregon State proved to be less than stellar, but Lucas was able to get more done against a great Buffs offense.
Shenault Jr. is one of the best wide receivers Lucas has gone up against, and it showed as he scored four touchdowns against the Sun Devils. Lucas and the defense allowed 494 yards from the Buffs. It was a tough matchup, as the Colorado offensive line was stellar in its performance Saturday night.
Grade vs. Colorado: B-
Draft Stock: 6th – 7th Round
WR N’Keal Harry
Week 5 Stats vs. Colorado: 3 REC, 62 YDS
Harry had an uneventful game, even less eventful than his game against Oregon State last week. The WR was held to only 62 yards throughout the game and had no scores. The Sun Devils have relied heavily on their run game under Herm Edwards, moving some of the spotlight from Harry to Benjamin.
Harry’s longest reception of the night was for 30 yards. The Buffs defense suffocated any hopes he had for helping the passing game out. Harry has tallied five touchdowns so far this season, almost matching his eight from the 2017 season. But, the WR is seeing the results of the run game with the offense. At the end of last season, he totaled out at 1,142 yards. This season, he’s at 481 after Saturday night’s game.
LB Koron Crump
Week 5 Stats vs. Colorado: 1 TOT
Crump has been battling an ACL injury throughout the first half of this season. He’s seen participation on the defense in some games. Others, he’s only been put on for special teams. Against Colorado, the LB saw limited time and recorded one tackle.
LB Jay Jay Wilson
Week 5 Stats vs. Colorado: N/A
Week seven is Arizona State’s bye week.