Every time Arizona State wins a big game — especially if it’s broadcast on a major network — the program gets a heavy dose of national attention. Most of this stems from coach Herm Edwards and his reach within the sport, especially from the media side.
ASU could not ask for better publicity. After the Sun Devils’ 10-7 win at Michigan State, several high-profile voices within the sport tweeted congratulations.
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From ESPN insider Chris Mortensen: “Didn’t critics say @HermEdwards was a terrible hire at Arizona State? We celebrate a great man and coach even as we miss his presence.”
From Fox analyst Mark Schlereth: “AMEN Mort! I love this man and all that he is. Any parent that has an opportunity to have that man coach their precious child is a blessed parent!”
From ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit: “Big HERM!!! Congrats @ASUfootball! GREAT win on the road.”
On the FOX pregame show, analyst and former USC and Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart predicted ASU would struggle against Michigan State. After the game, he admitted he was wrong. He also had kind words for freshman quarterback Jayden Daniels, calling him a “star in the making.”
Asu has a star in the making in Jayden Daniels. Great win for @HermEdwards and his team. I’ll eat my words, thought this would be too difficult a task. Well done! September 14, 2019
Do recruits notice this stuff? Maybe not. But their parents do. Over the summer, former Bears star and Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher told a local television station that Edwards had put together an NFL-quality staff that’s impossible to ignore.
“If I was a parent and they were recruiting my son, that’s where I might (suggest) he go to school,” Urlacher said. “It’s easy when you have those types of people running your program. All the coaches he’s brought in. Just good people.”
Other takeaways from Saturday’s win, which pushed the No. 24 Sun Devils (3-0) into the national polls:
This is Herm’s comfort zone.
Walking back from practice last week, I asked defensive backs coach Tony White if he wanted to be a head coach. Of course, he said. Every coach wants to run his own program. But White knew the reality. It’s not easy for defensive guys. Everyone these days wants the hot, 30-year-old offensive whiz. And he’s right. Offense sells, which is what makes ASU so interesting.
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The Sun Devils are winning ugly. During their best moments, they did it last season. Through three weeks, they’re doing it again — 10-7? That’s pretty much the definition of ugly. But here’s the thing: This is Herm’s comfort zone.
Edwards won 54 games during his eight-year NFL coaching career. In 19 of those victories, his teams didn’t reach 20 points. That’s 35.2 percent. Edwards beat New England 10-3. He beat Oakland 12-10. Pittsburgh, 6-0. As Daniels grows and the offensive line matures, the Sun Devils will put up more points. But where the program is today — young in important spots — this is probably where they’ll be every week. Fourth quarter. Tight game. Needing a big play or stop to win.
How they do in those moments will define their season.
The improbable drive.
After Michigan State scored to go up 7-3, ASU had plenty of time. More than eight minutes remained. Yet, it still didn’t seem like the Sun Devils had much of a chance. Drive into field-goal range? Maybe. But the end zone? No.
Consider this: ASU had had eight possessions to that point. One drive — 10 plays, 48 yards — led to a Cristian Zendejas 41-yard field goal. The other seven failed to stretch longer than 37 yards. In the second half, ASU had mustered only three first downs — two by penalty. Nothing suggested the Sun Devils could drive the length of the field.
Yet, they did.
For the past two years, Edwards has preached poise. His team showed it. For part of the drive, the Sun Devils had four true freshmen on the field — Daniels, left tackle LaDarius Henderson, right guard Dohnovan West and receiver Jordan Kerley. It didn’t matter. Daniels got the play. As the scoreboard flashed “MAKE NOISE!” the quarterback leaned forward and relayed it to each lineman. He clapped his hands for the snap. He led the Sun Devils down field. Seventy-five yards. With the game on the line. Against an elite defense.
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Incredible.
Daniels did it with poise and smart decision-making. He made plays with his legs. No matter what direction this season goes, fans tend to relax when they know there’s hope. Along with a strong defense, that’s what Daniels represents. A better day for ASU football.
After the game, the true freshman was among the last players out of the locker room. He wore a backpack, headphones and protective boot. Early in the game, Daniels had tweaked an ankle, which required extra tape. The boot probably was no more than a precaution, which is why one assistant coach joked about it as he passed.
Fans lined the quarterback’s path. Daniels signed miniature ASU helmets and other items. After a team official told him it was time to go, the quarterback simply stuck out his hand, giving five to fans as he walked to the bus. He’s been on campus since January and has yet to look overwhelmed.
Eno Benjamin’s attitude.
ASU’s decision to change its offensive line — starting two true freshmen — was so big Edwards last week informed Vice President of Athletics Ray Anderson about it. No doubt, it was drastic. No doubt, it made sense for the future. But the present? No one knew. (And really, they still don’t.)
One certainty: It didn’t bode well for Eno Benjamin. Running backs are proud athletes. They want the ball. They want their yards. Behind a shaky front in Week 2, Benjamin rushed for just 69 yards. Now he had to run behind two true freshmen.
If this bothered Benjamin, he hid it well. Before the game, as the captains waited for the coin toss, he waved confidently to the Michigan State crowd. During the national anthem, fellow captains Darien Butler and Kobe Williams stood still, right arms folded, hands on hearts. Benjamin did the same only his handed pounded his heart. Thump, thump, thump.
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He rushed 11 times for 42 yards. Although he scored the winning touchdown, stretching to get the nose of the ball barely into the end zone, this was not his day. And yet after the game, no one celebrated more. Benjamin ran to the corner of Spartan Stadium and climbed into the stands and drank in the moment.
Last year, Benjamin led the Pac-12 in rushing and set a school rushing record. This season, he probably won’t come close to those marks. This would bother some. Yet, Benjamin doesn’t seem to care.
Eno Benjamin has jumped into the stands. pic.twitter.com/LJ7v0kdWiS
— Doug Haller (@DougHaller) September 14, 2019
The defense found a way.
Early Saturday, the Fox pregame show — which included former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer — talked up Michigan State’s strong defense and predicted the Spartans would make it difficult for ASU to move the ball. The analysts were correct. They just failed to look at it from the other side.
The stats don’t look great. Michigan State had 404 yards. The Spartans were plus-22 in total plays. They were 9 of 17 on third down and had six drives of eight-plus plays. Even so, the Sun Devils still limited Michigan State to one touchdown. (And it came with true freshman Kejuan Markham filling in for injured safety Aashari Crosswell.)
Yes, it helped that Michigan State missed three field goals, including a 47-yarder that would’ve tied the contest in the final seconds. But don’t discount what Danny Gonzales’ group is doing. Through three contests, they rank among the nation’s elite.
Entering Saturday’s Pac-12 opener against Colorado, the Sun Devils rank second nationally in scoring defense, allowing just seven points a contest. (They have yet to allow a touchdown in the first three quarters.) They rank 29th in rushing defense (91.67 yards per game) and 35th in total defense (303).
The best part for them: There’s room to grow.
(Photo of Eno Benjamin’s touchdown: Mike Carter / USA Today Sports)