Arizona State defeated No. 15 Utah on Saturday, 38-20.
In that win, they took down the No. 1 ranked defense in the Pac-12. WR N’Keal Harry had three touchdowns for the day and RB Eno Benjamin had two. And, they messed around with the Pac-12 South race.
To make matters worse for the Utes, they lost their starting QB Tyler Huntley in the third quarter. He went down after a hit, breaking his collarbone.
The Sun Devil offense came up big on Saturday afternoon, gaining 536 yards, and the Utes dwindled as the quarters went on.
With the homestretch of the regular season here, Utah might be wiped from here on out and Arizona State could possibly make a late campaign for the Pac-12 South title.
Take a look at how our Arizona State Sun Devils prospects performed in week nine.
QB Manny Wilkins
Week 9 Stats vs Utah: 19/24, 285 YDS, 3 TD
Wilkins and co. were off to an early start against Utah. The QB helped lead the offense down the field for Benjamin to run it in for six yards. About five minutes later, he threw a 3-yard pass to Harry to put the Devils up 14-0. Utah gained the lead in the second but Wilkins helped bring his offense back on top in the third and kept the lead until the time clock ran out.
Watching the relationship between Wilkins and Benjamin develop throughout the season has been something special. Wilkins had had great games, but he’s been complimented by Benjamin and Harry to say the very least.
Grade vs Utah: A
Draft Stock: 6th – 7th Round
Matchup Preview vs UCLA:
There’s no point in sugar coating how horrible UCLA has been this season. But, even their play might not be enough to give ASU an easy win. The Bruins have allowed about 33 points per game this game but the last time ASU won back-to-back games, they lost the third game.
Making sure Wilkins can, as a leader, keep his team on their game for the Bruins will be key to a good win for the last home game of the season. The Bruins defense has allowed about 437 yards per game and Wilkins, definitely, has the opportunity to capitalize on this Saturday afternoon.
WR N’Keal Harry
Week 9 Stats vs Utah: 9 REC, 161 YDS, 3 TD
After Saturday’s performance, Harry was voted Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week. Sun Devil fans have grown to appreciate the on-field connection Harry and Wilkins have made over the past seasons in Tempe.
With Harry’s help, the ASU offense was able to throttle the Utes. The WR led the team in receiving yards, something fans are used to at this point. Harry has nine touchdowns on the season now. With games like Saturday’s, Harry is really helping his draft stock.
Grade vs Utah: A
Draft Stock: 1st – 2nd Round
Matchup Preview vs UCLA:
Given the number of points and yards the Bruins give up per game, Harry has a huge opportunity to come up big for the Devils on Saturday afternoon. Though the Devils just have one more conference win than the Bruins, they have a great advantage over them in terms of offense.
We’ve seen the Devils tear apart a defense but we’ve seen them lose to teams they could’ve easily beat. Making sure he stays on his toes, Harry could perform how he did against a ranked Utah, or even better, against UCLA.
RB Eno Benjamin
Week 9 Stats vs Utah: 27 CAR, 175 YDS, 2 TD
Benjamin was a part of the band of three against the Utes. Along with Wilkins and Harry, Benjamin was able to contribute to the dismantling of the Utes defense. He’s really proven himself throughout this regular season and has proved to be a force for the Sun Devil offense.
Benjamin kicked off the game for the Devils with a 6-yard run in the first and closed out the game with a 44-yard run at the end of the fourth.
Grade vs Utah: A
Draft Stock: 5th – 6th Round
Matchup Preview vs UCLA:
As with Harry, Benjamin has the opportunity to tear apart the Bruins defense. With the number of points and yardage they’ve been allowing this season, the RB could have another big game.
The Bruins will be looking to finish their season as strong as possible, but so will the Devils. In winning this game, they could have a shot at the Pac-12 South title and Benjamin, along with the rest of the offense, should have that as extra motivation to push through any adversity UCLA might pose to them on Saturday.
DB Chase Lucas
Week 9 Stats vs Utah: 3 TOT, 3 SOLO
Lucas was able to help ASU hold the Utes to only 20 points on Saturday afternoon. Utah had their starting quarterback for a majority of the game and the Sun Devil defense had a great showing against a ranked team.
Lucas has established himself with a core of defensive players throughout the season. The DB ended the game with three solo tackles and a renewed confidence going into this week’s game against UCLA.
Grade vs Utah: A-
Draft Stock: 6th – 7th Round
Matchup Preview vs UCLA:
Lucas and the rest of the defense will be going up against freshman QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson. On the season, he has 1,311 yards, seven touchdowns, and four interceptions. Looking at the run game, the Bruins bring junior RB Joshua Kelley to the table. He’s accounted for 820 yards and seven touchdowns on the season.
Looking at their passing game, the Bruins have utilized junior TE Caleb Wilson the most throughout this season. He has two touchdowns and 554 yards this season. Keying in on these three players could be a huge help for Lucas, and the Sun Devil defense, if they want to secure a win on Saturday.
LB Jay Jay Wilson
No recorded participation for week nine.
LB Koron Crump
No recorded participation for week nine.