[Tempe, AZ] On  Saturday evening, the Arizona State Sun Devils entered their PAC-12 showdown with Washington State, aiming to break free from a daunting six-game losing skid that had plagued their season. Meanwhile, the Cougars arrived with their own four-game losing streak, having begun the season with a promising four-game win streak. 

Whenever the Cougars visit, fans anticipate a high-scoring contest, typically with Washington State showcasing their dominance through an aerial assault. As anticipated, on the first drive the Cougars delivered, with quarterback Cameron Ward masterminding a 15-play, 75-yard drive that consumed 06:27 of the first quarter. Ward capped off the impressive march with a three-yard rushing touchdown, granting Washington State an early 7-0 lead following a successful extra-point attempt.

Arizona State responded on their subsequent drive, led by quarterback Trenton Bourguet orchestrating an efficient no-huddle offense. The drive's standout moment came with a 30-yard reception by wide receiver Troy Omeire. Just three plays later, DeCarlos Brooks powered his way to a 13-yard rushing touchdown, knotting the game at 7-7 with 4:07 left in the opening quarter.

Following two consecutive possessions where they successfully kept the Cougars' offense at bay, Arizona State surged ahead with a one-yard rushing touchdown by DeCarlos Brooks. This pivotal score occurred with 7:14 left in the second quarter, and a successful extra-point attempt brought the score to 14-7.

This marked the beginning of an explosive exchange, with both teams trading scoring drives in the last seven minutes of the first half. The Cougars, spearheaded by Cameron Ward and their rapid no-huddle offense, orchestrated a scoring march in just over two and a half minutes. It culminated in an 11-yard rushing touchdown by Ward, who sliced through the heart of the Sun Devil defense virtually untouched, tying the game at 14-14 with 4:47 left on the clock before halftime.

Next up was Cam Skattebo, making a grand entrance with a stunning 66-yard rush on the Sun Devils' very first play of the drive. Merely three plays later, he sealed the drive with a two-yard touchdown. With 2:15 remaining in the second quarter, Arizona State surged ahead, taking the lead at 21-14.

As expected, the Washington State Cougars responded swiftly. Quarterback Cameron Ward initiated the drive with a 38-yard pass to Kyle Williams. Just four plays later, Ward connected with Victor Lincoln in the middle for a 9-yard touchdown reception, once again tying the score at 21-21.

Unsurprisingly, the Sun Devils were determined not to leave the score tied. With a mere 42 seconds remaining, Bourget efficiently maneuvered the Arizona State offense down the field, setting up for a field goal attempt. Dario Longhetto confidently struck a 51-yard field goal with no time left on the clock, propelling the Sun Devils to a halftime lead of 24-21.

While the first half offered plenty of excitement, the second half was less eventful, especially for Washington State. The Arizona State defense proved formidable, limiting the Cougars to just two field goals throughout the latter half of the game. On the other side, Arizona State, under the efficient guidance of Trenton Bourguet, continued to execute their offense effectively. They opened the second half with a scoring drive, culminating in a six-yard rushing touchdown by Elijhah Badger.

DeCarlos Brooks notched his third touchdown of the game early in the 4th quarter, securing an insurmountable lead of 38-24 for Arizona State. The contest ultimately concluded with a final score of 38-27, marking the Sun Devils' first victory since Week 1.

The Sun Devils were led on the ground by Cam Skattebo, who finished the game with 121 rushing yards and one touchdown.  DeCarlos Brooks would finish with 67 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

 Trenton Bourguet would finish his efficient evening with 267 passing yards on 19-27 passing.  

Next week, Arizona State will try to carry over their momentum as they head North to take on 13th-Ranked Utah.  

Article by Jeff Demers
Photography by Rhonda Costa