A pair of Power Five programs meet on the gridiron in a non-conference clash in the Sooner State when the Pac-12 takes on the Big 12. The Arizona State Sun Devils are on the road as they make the trip to take on the #11 Oklahoma State Cowboys Saturday night. Arizona State opened the season with a 40-3 pasting of Northern Arizona at home last Thursday night. Oklahoma State prevailed in a shootout in their season opener, knocking off Central Michigan 58-44 at home though they failed to cover the line, last Thursday night. The Sun Devils own a 2-1 advantage in the all-time series between the programs, including a 12-10 home win in the most recent meeting on September 25, 1993.
Arizona State opened the 2022 season with an emphatic victory as they put the boots to a FCS school in Northern Arizona. The Sun Devils now take a major step up in competition as they face a fellow Power Five program, and one that is ranked to boot. Against Northern Arizona, Arizona State led just 3-0 at the half but outscored the Lumberjacks 21-3 in the second quarter to take a commanding 24-3 halftime advantage. The Sun Devils cruised from there to earn the victory. Arizona State held a hefty 419-120 edge in total offense, rolled up a 24-7 advantage in first downs and dominated time of possession by a 36:10 to 23:50 margin. The Sun Devils forced a pair of turnovers while committing only one in the contest.
Emory Jones, who transferred from Florida to take the starting QB job after Jayden Daniels went to LSU, was 13 of 18 passing for 152 yards while adding 11 carries for 48 yards plus a pair of sco res. Xazavian Valladay, who transferred from Wyoming, led the ground game with 15 carries for 116 yards plus two scores. Daniyel Ngata (10 carries, 60 yards) and Tevin White (eight carries, 29 yards) were effective guys in the run game in their opportunities as well. In the passing game, Elijhah Badger led the team with four receptions for 38 yards. Messiah Swinson (three catches, 50 yards) and Andre Johnson (three receptions, 36 yards) were the only other players with more than one reception for the Sun Devils. Carter Brown connected on all four extra point attempts and hit four of four field goal attempts, hitting from 37, 36, 44 and 44 yards.