If there were such a thing as college fantasy football, ASU senior kicker Jesse Ainsworth would have been a nice pickup before Saturday's game against UCLA.
Playing in his final home game, Ainsworth connected on four field goals for the second consecutive week, providing the only points in a 24-12 ASU loss to the Bruins at Sun Devil Stadium.
"We didn't finish in the red zone," head coach Dirk Koetter explained. "We didn't make enough plays."
It was the first game of the season in which ASU failed to score a touchdown, and the second game the team failed to score an offensive touchdown - senior Terry Richardson returned a kick 100 yards to provide the only touchdown in a 48-13 loss to Oregon on Sept. 30.
The only consistent playmaker for the Sun Devils was the place-kicker.
At one point in the third quarter, sophomore quarterback Rudy Carpenter had completed as many passes (4) as Ainsworth had field goals (4).
"We just didn't punch it in when we needed to," Ainsworth said. "I'm not used to kicking four field goals."
In the first nine games, Ainsworth struggled with his mechanics and confidence - only making five of 10 field goals - but has been called on more often of late, making all eight of his attempts in the last two games.
Ainsworth made sure he was on point, especially on Senior Day.
"I am really thankful for my teammates, coaches and the last four years here," Ainsworth said while recounting his time with the program. "It's been a wonderful experience."
Koetter wasn't feeling so wonderful, after he couldn't guide his seniors to a victory on their last game playing on Frank Kush field.
"Not the result you are looking for on Senior Day," he said. "There's not a guy that went on the field tonight and didn't compete."
Among the many emotions that go along with senior night, the ASU faithful became irate with coach Koetter's decision to punt the ball down 12 with 5:12 left in the game.
And soon after, Sun Devil nation let him have it.
Players from the ASU sideline were distracted by the chorus of boos and chants of "Fire Koetter" that spread around the stadium like wildfire.
The scene even prompted a few players to yell, "Show some class" at their own fans.
While the team continues to stick up for their coach, they weren't able to stand up to the Bruins, allowing UCLA to pick up its first road win of the season.
The loss puts even more pressure on ASU to keep the Territorial Cup in Tempe.
A loss Saturday against UA could likely knock ASU out of postseason play for the first time since 2003.
"I don't know if you can make [the UA game] any bigger than it is already," Koetter said.
