In a game where the Sun Devils were favored by an average 20 points on the spread, UTSA nearly pulled the upset, leading for nearly the entire game before losing 32-28. After ASU blew out Texas Tech last week with 68 points and accounted for 301 rushing yards, the Roadrunner defensive front was impressive, holding the Sun Devils to a modest 205 rushing yards.
After a 7-3 lead, ASU muffed a punt return that was recovered by UTSA at the ASU 14. Roadrunner quarterback Dalton Sturm connected with Jalen Rhodes for an 11-yard touchdown, giving San Antonio the 14-3 edge at the end of the first. The 29k+ faithful packed in the stadium became raucous — the noise reverberating from the domed stadium booming like an auditorium housing the whole city. The crowd influenced an early second quarter interception by UTSA safety Nate Gaines; shortly after, an audience member bludgeoned a piñata of the Sun Devil mascot.
ASU managed to jab their trident within striking distance of the lead; the Sun Devils trailed at halftime 14-12 following a 54-yard field goal by Zane Gonzalez and a 27-TD pass from quarterback Manny Wilkins to N’Keal Harry.
Through the first fifteen minutes of offense, ASU looked like a formerly possessed person relieved of their inner demons following an exorcism, tallying 13 plays for a total of 50 yards. Their defense didn’t look much better in the third, allowing a Sturm 34-yard rushing touchdown to finish the opening series of the second half, and — following another muffed punt turnover — a 24-yard pass to Shaq Williams.
The Roadrunners seemed poised for a stunning victory, leading 28-12 around the eight minute mark.
Suddenly, a young ASU fan started trolling me in front of the press box. While I tried to watch the action on field, he would pop-up from beneath the plexiglass, smirk at me, and then slowly disappear out of sight.
For whatever reason, this ritual from the troll was the boost ASU needed, posting 20 unanswered points — 17 in the fourth quarter. The Sun Devils faithful began to overtake the San Antonio crowd, guiding their Arizona boys away from any mirage of loss.
The Sun Devils defense became possessed at the end of regulation, recording five straight stoppages and four critical three-and-outs; UTSA was limited to five first-downs in second half after totaling 11 in the first.
ASU accounted for 469 yards of total offense, UTSA had 322 yards. Sturm was the Roadrunners’ most formidable offensive weapon, accounting for 311-of-322 total yards. The Sun Devils were better on nearly every statistical category, but the four turnovers to the Roadrunners’ zero was the difference of the game.
UTSA falls to 0-8 against Power 5 teams, and 1-2 this season.
