Giving up over 300 rushing yards to one player is not a recipe for success, but that is what happened to ASU (2-3, 1-1 Pac-12) as Bryce Love cruised for 301 yards in a 34-24 win for Stanford (3-2, 2-1 Pac-12).
The Cardinal went up 7-0 in the first quarter with a 61-yard rushing touchdown from junior running back Bryce Love. Entering the game, Love led the nation in rushing yards and proved challenging for ASU all game.
ASU cut the Stanford lead to 7-3 with a 32-yard field goal from freshman kicker Brandon Ruiz in a drive that featured a 49-yard rush from sophomore wide receiver Kyle Williams. Senior linebacker J'Marcus Rhodes spurred the momentum shift with a forced fumble.
Early in the second quarter, redshirt junior quarterback Manny Wilkins threw his first interception of the season on a tipped pass, and the Cardinal quickly took advantage with a 43-yard rushing score from Love, pushing their lead to 14-3.
The Sun Devils answered right back, with senior running back Demario Richard scoring from three yards out in the Sparky formation.
However the Cardinal extended their lead to 21-10 with 4:11 left in the second quarter – this time it was junior wide receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside in the corner of the end zone for a 12-yard score.
ASU went back to the Sparky formation just before half, and sophomore wide receiver N'Keal Harry tossed a touchdown to wide open junior tight end Ceejhay French-Love.
Stanford tacked on a field goal before halftime bumping their lead to 24-17.
Love continued his monstrous game with a 59-yard scoring scamper to put the Cardinal up 31-17 with 6:46 left in the third.
The Sun Devils were held scoreless in the third but bucked that trend in the final quarter. Richard capped off a 10-play, 86-yard drive with a 2-yard rush. That score cut the Stanford lead to 31-24 with 8:02 left in the fourth quarter.
The scoring drive was saved by a 43-yard completion from Wilkins to redshirt junior wide receiver Jalen Harvey.
However, Stanford soon made it a two-score game. A long drive that featured a healthy dose of Love ended with a 22-yard field goal that put the Cardinal up 34-24 with 2:26 remaining.
The Sun Devils failed to mount a comeback when a 59-yard field goal from Ruiz came up short.
Up Next:
ASU has a bye next week. The Sun Devils take the field again on Oct. 14, when they host No. 6 Washington.
Reach the reporter at mpharri7@asu.edu or follow @Harris_Mark7 on Twitter.
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