Arizona State Fails To Hold Halftime Lead Versus Oklahoma State

After weathering the storm (literally) in a 24-21 win at home against Southern Utah in week one, Arizona State would welcome the Oklahoma State Cowboys into Mountain America Stadium on Saturday night.  This game is the second of four consecutive home games on the Sun Devils schedule (Fresno State, USC).  ASU came into this game as a -2.5 point underdog on their home turf.  So you knew already that this was. going to be a battle.

Arizona State came out strong on defense to start the game, forcing punts on the Cowboys first three possessions and not allowing any possession to go for more than 24 total yards.

On ASU’s second offensive drive, running back Cam Skattebo would find the end zone on a 13 yard rush to cap off an 11-play, 77 yard drive that took up 5:18 on the clock.  The would be the only score between the two teams in the opening quarter.

Oklahoma State would answer early in the second quarter with a 2 yard rushing touchdown by Ollie Gordon to finish their 7-play, 43 yard drive with 11:58 remaining in the second quarter.

On the very next possession for Arizona State, Freshman quarterback Jaden Rashada would hit Elijhah Badger down the middle on a 65-yard touchdown reception after getting behind the Oklahoma State defensive backs. After an offsides penalty on the attempted extra-point, the Sun Devils would opt to go for two from the 1.5 yard line and running back Cam Skattebo would rush up the middle for the conversion, extending Arizona State’s lead to 15-7 with 10:07 remaining in the second quarter.

The only other score in the first half came on an Oklahoma State field goal from 52 yards out by Kicker Alex Hale.  The Sun Devils went into halftime with a 15-10 lead over the Cowboys.

Last week heading into halftime, Arizona State went in with a 21-7 lead.  They fell flat in the second half but still managed to hold on for the 24-21 victory.

So you wanted to see some improvement this week with an opportunity to extend on their halftime lead and not make it such a close game.

Unfortunately, the Sun Devils offense was flat in the second half against Oklahoma State, failing to add to their score. On the other hand, Oklahoma State would be the team to rise to the occasion in the second half by adding two touchdowns and a field goal.

Nothing seemed to work right for Arizona State in the second half.  They were stopped on 4th down three times.  Twice around mid-field, and once choosing to go for it with about six minutes left and only down 20-15 from their own 33 yard line. The Cowboys locked the game up at that point with an easy six-play drive that ended in a Garret Rangel to Brennan Presley 16-yard touchdown reception with 2:56 remaining.

The final score of the game at Mountain America Stadium was Oklahoma State 27, Arizona State 15.  The Sun Devils (1-1) will be at home once again next weekend as they will take on Fresno State.

HMG’s Three Stars of the Game:

Cam Skattebo (ASU) 62 Rushing Yards, 1 Rushing TD, 1 Two-Point Conversion

Ollie Gordon (OSU) 53 Rushing Yards, 1 Rushing TD, 2 Receptions, 9 Receiving Yards

De’Zhaun Stribling (OSU) 7 Receptions, 65 Yards, 1 TD Reception

Article by Jeff Demers

Host of The S3 with JD

https://www.heroesmediagroup.com/shows/the-s3-sports-show/