A conference win against USC and a, possible, catch of the year by N’Keal Harry?
Arizona State got both in the bag after Saturday’s away game against the Trojans.
The Sun Devils got their second conference win of the season, outscoring USC 38-35. The game remained relatively close throughout the four quarters and, essentially came down to the last possession. USC got a touchdown late in the fourth and ASU held possession of the ball until the time clock ran out.
QB JT Daniels was out against the Sun Devils resulting in redshirt freshman Jack Sears getting his first career start, he threw for 235 yards and two touchdowns. It didn’t end up being enough for the Trojans as they dealt an offense that seemed to be all over the place and a defense that was unreliable.
The Sun Devils capitalized on the weak play from both sides of the ball from the Trojans and were able to improve to 4-4 on the season and 2-3 in conference play. And after looking at his performance on Saturday night, there’s a sturdy argument for Harry being the best wide receiver in the Pac-12 and, even, the nation.
Take a look at how our Arizona State Sun Devils prospects performed in week eight:
QB Manny Wilkins
Week 8 Stats vs USC: 14/22, 166 YDS, 1 RUSH TD
Wilkins threw a 44-yard pass to Harry in the first, tying the game after WR Tyler Vaughns returned a punt 82 yards for a touchdown. And late in the fourth, the QB ran it in for 45 yards for a touchdown. Wilkins was able to get the job done when it really counted with the help of his favorite running back and wide receiver.
Grade vs USC: B+
Draft Stock: 7th Round
Matchup Preview vs Utah:
Wilkins and co. will have their work cut out for them against the Utes. Saturday’s game and the rest of their season are must-win games in order for them to take a shot at the Pac-12 South title. Utah’s defense has allowed less than 300 yards per game for each of their opponents this season, giving Wilkins an obstacle to overcome.
Utah is one of the best teams Wilkins will have gone up against this season after Saturday. He’s beaten a ranked team at home before and there’s the possibility he could do it again.
WR N’Keal Harry
Week 8 Stats vs USC: 95 REC YDS, 1 REC TD, 103 PUNT YDS, 1 PUNT TD
First of all, N’Keal Harry had the catch of the year, thus far. Totally aware of the season not being done yet, but there are multiple people backing my claim. Harry reached back, one-handed, and snatched that ball like it wasn’t anything.
Harry led the Sun Devils in receiving yards against the Trojans and had a 92-yard punt return for a touchdown in the third.
Grade vs USC: A
Draft Stock: 1st – 2nd Round
Matchup Preview vs Utah:
As the rest of the team will, Harry is going to have to pick apart the Utes defense. The WR hasn’t performed his best against ranked teams, though part of that is due to the fact that Edwards seems to utilize the run game more against those teams. Harry helping out his offense in any situation could help make or break Saturday’s game.
RB Eno Benjamin
Week 8 Stats vs USC: 29 CAR, 185 YDS, 2 TD
Here we are, back to another week of Eno Benjamin leading the team in rushing yards. He didn’t fare so well against Stanford with only 38 rushing yards but he’s back to his old ways after facing USC. Benjamin scored a 3-yard touchdown in the first and a 49-yarder in the second. He was able to take advantage of the holes left by the Trojans defense to help get a win for the Devils.
Grade vs USC: A
Draft Stock: 5th – 6th Round
Matchup Preview vs Utah:
Utah has utilized a 4-2-5 defensive scheme this season. It’s worked out pretty well in their favor seeing as how they’ve held their opponents to about 81 yards every game. Benjamin will have a big task ahead of him with these numbers in mind.
It’s a big game for the Utes, they need these last wins of the season to have a shot at the Pac-12 South title. The defense will be on their toes but if Benjamin can pick them apart, he has the opportunity to come up big for the Devils.
DB Chase Lucas
Week 8 Stats vs USC: 6 TOT, 4 SOLO, 1 SACK
Lucas helped the defense come up big against the Trojans. With the game coming down to the last possession, Lucas and the rest of the defense helped keep the Devils on top. Lucas got one of the two sacks against Sears, and he recorded four solo tackles. He helped slow down a good Trojan offense, without their starting quarterback, to help put the Devils up in the end.
Grade vs USC: A-
Draft Stock: 6th – 7th Round
Matchup Preview vs Utah:
QB Tyler Huntley is one of the best quarterbacks Lucas will have matched up against so far this season. On the season, Huntley is 143/219 for 1,700 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s going to be coming out of the gate strong in Sun Devil Stadium, but Lucas has prior experience with ranked quarterbacks to put into this matchup.
If he can get to Huntley, and help stop RB Zack Moss and WR Britain Covey, the Sun Devil defense might help their team get this crucial win.
LB Jay Jay Wilson
No recorded participation for week eight.
LB Koron Crump
No recorded participation for week eight.