Nov. 8, 2008
SEATTLE - By Matt Storey, ASU Media Relations
With 23 unanswered second-half points, the Arizona State football team ended its losing streak with a 39-19 victory over Washington on Saturday at Husky Stadium. The Sun Devils move to 3-6, 2-4 in the Pac-10, with the win.
"We'll take any win after six losses," head coach Dennis Erickson said. "It's just good to get that feeling back. (Washington) gave us everything we wanted, obviously, and we were able to do some things in the fourth quarter and win the game."
Rudy Carpenter had two touchdown passes to Michael Jones and Keegan Herring ran for another score as the Devils got in the end zone on three consecutive drives in the second half to take control of the game.
The tide turned with Washington leading 19-16 midway through the third quarter. The Huskies attempted a reverse pass play on first down, and ASU's James Brooks sacked quarterback Ronnie Fouch for a 12-yard loss. Washington had to punt from its own end zone two plays later, and the Sun Devils had to drive only 41 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.
"Without a doubt, that was the turning point," Erickson said. "That was a huge field position change. That sack changed the game, no question about it."
The Sun Devils' first three trips into the red zone ended in Thomas Weber field goals, but the offense found its stride with three straight touchdown drives in the second half.
"It's kind of been the story of our season; we get down there and have trouble scoring points," Carpenter said. "We just had to stay with our plan and stay patient. We were going to get our chances to score.
"I think the most important thing was that our offensive line did a great job. We ran the ball well, and they protected pretty well. When you do those things, you're going to win games."
Carpenter finished 22-of-31 for 218 yards and two touchdowns, and Jones led all receivers with a career-high 11 catches for 146 yards and two scores.
"Mike made a lot of big plays," Carpenter said. "We need guys like Mike to make big plays for us, and that's what happened tonight."
Herring gave the Sun Devils their best rushing performance of the season, carrying 22 times for 144 yards and a touchdown, while starter Shaun DeWitty added 47 yards on 12 carries.
The ASU defense also played very well in the win, forcing three turnovers and limiting Washington to just one touchdown. Troy Nolan had a 44-yard fumble recovery return for a touchdown in the second quarter, Travis Goethel picked off Fouch late in the first half to set up a field goal and Mike Nixon recorded his third interception of the season in the fourth quarter to help seal the win. The defense also held Washington to field goals three times when the Huskies began a drive in ASU territory.
The teams traded field goals in the first quarter, and then on the first play of the second quarter, Washington went for it on a 4th-and-1 and safety Rodney Cox knocked the ball loose from fullback Paul Homer as he reached for a first down. Nolan scooped up the fumble and ran it back 44 yards for his second touchdown in as many weeks to put the Devils in front 10-3.
The Huskies responded quickly, however, driving 81 yards on seven plays and capping it off with a wide receiver throwback touchdown pass. Fouch threw a lateral to wide receiver Cody Bruns, who then threw back across the field to Fouch for a six-yard score.
DeWitty fumbled on the first play of ASU's ensuing possession, but the Devils' defense held Washington to only a field goal after the turnover.
The Sun Devils answered later in the second quarter with Weber's second field goal of the game, and then with under a minute left in the half, Goethel recorded his first career interception and took the ball back to the Washington 37. Carpenter then completed passes to Jones and Nate Kimbrough to set up a third Weber field goal of the half and give ASU a 16-13 lead at the break.
Washington came out strong in the third quarter. Cornerback Matt Mosley returned the second-half kickoff 63 yards and the Huskies drove inside the 5, but again the Sun Devil defense held them to just a field goal.
ASU's first drive of the second half was a three-and-out, and the Huskies then blocked Thomas Weber's punt to take possession at the Sun Devil 14. However, the ASU defense yet again held Washington to just a field goal.
The momentum turned on the Huskies' next drive, with Brooks' 12-yard sack of Fouch eventually forcing Washington to punt from deep in its own territory and giving the Sun Devils the ball at the Husky 41. Eight plays later, Carpenter found Jones for a six-yard touchdown to put ASU ahead for good.
Early in the fourth quarter, Carpenter connected with Jones again, this time from two yards out, to give the Devils a 30-19 lead. Then, after Nixon intercepted Fouch on Washington's ensuing possession, ASU scored again on a 29-yard touchdown run by Herring. It was Herring's longest run of the season, and he carried four times for 49 yards on the drive.
On the Huskies' next possession, Fouch was called for intentional grounding in his own end zone, which resulted in a safety to give ASU a 39-19 lead and complete the scoring in the game.
The Sun Devils return home Saturday to host Washington State at 3:30 p.m.