TEMPE, Arizona — Jayden Daniels accounted for three touchdowns, Jack Jones returned an interception 87 yards for a touchdown and Arizona State beat rival 38-15 on Saturday.
The Sun Devils (8-4, 6-3 Pac-12) won in a blowout a year ago, but needed a big second half in the rematch to pull away. Daniels threw for two touchdowns and ran for a 48-yard score, sending Arizona State to its fifth straight win in the series.
The question entering the game was whether a win would be enough to save coach Herm Edwards’ job. Arizona State athletic director Ray Anderson confirmed after the game that Edwards would continue to be the coach.
Arizona (1-11, 1-8) wanted a bit of revenge after losing 70-7 at home to Arizona State last season. The Wildcats moved the ball well in the first half and Will Plummer had a career day, throwing for 346 yards and a touchdown.
Arizona lost its payback bid by struggling in the red zone and with too many costly mistakes.
It started off well, with Plummer picking apart Arizona State’s defense throughout the first half.
The Wildcats are the worst team at converting red-zone opportunities into touchdowns and were at it again: three deep first-half drives, three field goals.
Plummer also was stripped on a sack that Arizona State’s Tyler Johnson recovered at Arizona’s 1. Rachaad White ran it in the next play to give Arizona State a 14-9 halftime lead.
Arizona State’s offense, which sputtered most of the first half, revved up quickly with Daniels’ scrambling, 48-yard TD run on the fourth play of the third quarter. He then hit Pearsall on a second 14-yard TD, this time a back-shoulder throw.
Arizona’s Michael Wiley turned 6-yard swing pass into a touchdown by fighting through two defenders to reach the pylon, but the Wildcats continued to get in their own way after that.
Jones sealed it by stepping in front of a receiver and returning the interception for an 87-yard touchdown.
THE TAKEAWAY
Missed red-zone opportunities have plagued Arizona all season and played a big role again on Saturday.
Arizona State played well on both sides of the ball in the second half to pull away and win the biggest game on the schedule every year. Whether it’s enough to save Edwards’ job remains to be seen.
UP NEXT
Arizona heads into the offseason with several underclassmen returning on offense, but will lose several key defensive players, including four players on their front seven.
Arizona State is headed to a bowl game for the third time in four seasons.
