Rarely do the pregame festivities foreshadow a game, but Saturday’s band performance was a clear indication of things to come.
Prior to kickoff between the ASU football team and Oregon State, the Sun Devil Marching Band spelled out the letters “A-S-U.” However, it appeared they were a few members short, and there were some very noticeable gaps in the “S” formation, foreshadowing the problems faced by both teams.
The Beavers (0-4, 0-2 Pac-12) lost 35-20 to the No. 22 Sun Devils (4-1, 2-0) in a game that featured nine turnovers and 19 penalties.
“It was just frustrating because I think it didn’t have to be like that,” Oregon State coach Mike Riley said. “I think that we had given them some stuff in that first half that got them not only back in it, but the lead.”
Junior cornerback Jordan Poyer was equally frustrated with the loss.
“It’s tough,” Poyer said. “There’re not many words you can use to pretty it up. A loss is a loss, it’s tough.”
OSU’s defensive unit forced three turnovers on ASU’s first three possessions, but the Beaver’s offense struggled in the red zone and was only able to convert the Sun Devil miscues into 13 first-half points.
“We haven’t been good in the red zone and we weren’t again tonight,” Riley said. “We kicked field goals instead of touchdowns. Then we missed a field goal. That obviously is another big difference in the game.”
Freshman quarterback Sean Mannion also acknowledged the impact red zone difficulties played on the outcome.
“That’s tough,” Mannion said. “Especially when our defense makes great plays like that. I think we got a couple of field goals out of them, but that’s where we got to capitalize on a great play made by Jordan (Poyer) and get seven.”
Although the Beavers were able to outgain the Sun Devils 388 to 367, they were unable to hold onto the football. Mannion threw four interceptions and Poyer fumbled a punt.
“I just got to take better care of the ball, see the progressions a little more clearly and play a little bit faster and safer with the football,” Mannion said.
While Riley did compliment the play of Mannion, who threw for 341 yards, the coach reiterated the quarterback’s evaluation of the turnovers.
“Sean, he had some great plays and some very rough ones,” Riley said. “You are responsible for the ball as the quarterback.”
Similar to Mannion, Poyer was critical of himself and his turnover.
“There’s no excuse,” Poyer said. “It’s just one of those plays. The ball was carrying away from me. I tried to dive and catch it. I just got to be smart on those plays.”
For the first time since 1996 the Beavers are 0-4, but Mannion knows his team cannot dwell on the past as they still have eight games remaining on the schedule.
“All we can do now is look forward,” Mannion said. “We just got to keep working and become a better team.”
While Mannion may be looking towards the rest of the season, Riley’s outlook was a little more brief.
When asked where the team can go from here, a disappointing 0-4 start, the coach’s response was very simple.
“We can go to practice on Tuesday,” Riley said.
Reach the reporter at william.boor@asu.edu Click here to subscribe to the daily State Press newsletter.
