Sept. 5, 2009
Box Score | Quotes | Notes | Photo Gallery (Game Action) | Photo Gallery (Pre-Game Festivities)
TEMPE, Ariz.
By Carmen Vitali, ASU Media Relations
The Arizona State defense dominated in its season opener against Idaho State in an impressive 50-3 victory. It was a strong opening to the season that gave the Sun Devils a 1-0 record. The Sun Devils have now won seven straight home openers.
The Sun Devils allowed only 37 yards of total offense and only three points by Idaho State. The Bengals went for 42 yards passing and -5 yards rushing, which is the fourth best mark in school history. It was the fewest yards allowed since 1992 when ASU allowed just 13 yards against Louisville.
Senior linebacker Mike Nixon led the defensive effort with three interceptions, one in the first quarter and another with 2:12 remaining in the half, which he returned for a touchdown. Nixon picked his third pass of the night in the fourth quarter. Nixon also blocked a punt-attempt that was returned to the ISU three-yard line and set up a Thomas Weber field goal.
"[The other team] just doesn't see [Mike Nixon], and they throw the ball and he makes a pick," ASU Head Coach Dennis Erickson said in a post-game press conference. "He's been doing that ever since we've been here."
Offensively, Danny Sullivan went 13-of-25 pass attempts with 165 yards and no interceptions in a stellar debut as the Sun Devils' official starting quarterback.
"I got pretty excited in the first half," Sullivan said about his performance. "But then I calmed down a little bit halfway through the first quarter and started making throws."
Freshman Brock Osweiler also saw action and went four for five passing attempts for a total of 43 yards and a touchdown pass. Sullivan also recorded five rushes for a net of 17 yards. Osweiler's touchdown pass was caught by senior Brian Matsumoto for his first career.
"I thought Danny [Sullivan] played well and did some darn good things," Coach Erickson said. "I also thought Brock [Osweiler] came in and did some good things too."
Senior Kyle Williams had five receptions on the night for a total of 50 yards. Senior Chris McGaha and sophomore Gerell Robinson both had two catches on the night and Matsumoto had the only receiving touchdown in the fourth quarter.
The Sun Devils tried out a plethora of running backs. Sophomore Ryan Bass, senior Jarrell Woods and senior Dimitri Nance all had rushing touchdowns on the night. Senior Shaun DeWitty had the most rushing yards with 52 on eight attempts, while true freshman Cameron Marshall also saw action with 15 yards on five attempts.
Senior Thomas Weber added to the offense in a big way recording a career-high of 20 points on five field goals and five extra points. He tied the Sun Devil record for most field goals in a game held by Luis Zendejas versus Stanford in 1983.
Sixteen different players made their Sun Devil debut including freshman linebacker Vontaze Burfict who had one sack and recorded one and a half tackles for a loss of 10 yards. Sophomore linebacker Brandon Magee recorded his first career interception as well as his first career sack, he also had four solo tackles and two and half tackles for a loss of 12 yards.