ASU’s Wilkins, Aiyuk connect for touchdown to take first quarter lead

Sep 15, 2018, 8:28 PM | Updated: Sep 16, 2018, 12:52 am

Arizona State wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (2) goes over San Diego State safety Parker Baldwin (33) to score a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

(AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

BY LOGAN NEWMAN

Arizona Sports

Arizona State struggled to get going against San Diego State in the first quarter, but quarterback Manny Wilkins began connecting with receivers who had room to run in their final drive.

With 41 seconds remaining in the quarter, he completed a pass to wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who took it 12 yards to score a touchdown and take a 7-0 lead.

Despite the touchdown, the two hadn’t connected throughout the drive. Aiyuk got behind his defender, but Wilkins couldn’t get the deep pass into the proper spot and Aiyuk couldn’t grab it.

That put ASU at third-and-10 near midfield.

But Wilkins spread the ball and used different playmakers at his disposal.

He got a first down on an 18-yard pass to running back Eno Benjamin, and later connected with receiver Kyle Williams for a 12-yard gain.

Williams, who led the team against Michigan State with seven receptions and 104 yards, had three receptions for 26 yards in the first quarter Saturday, both of which led all ASU players.

At the 12-yard line, Wilkins hit Aiyuk on a curl route. The receiver attempted to stiff-arm the defender, who fell and couldn’t wrap up Aiyuk’s ankles.

He scampered into the end zone to put ASU on top.

Strolling into the end zone. @ASUFootball strikes first!

Manny Wilkins finds Brandon Aiyuk for the TD. pic.twitter.com/4FyS7Cn3O8

— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) September 16, 2018

It was the end of a nine-play, 60-yard drive that lasted 2:16.

The Sun Devils led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter.

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Arizona State quarterback Manny Wilkins throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Arizona State wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (2) goes over San Diego State safety Parker Baldwin (33) to score a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Arizona State wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk reacts with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

San Diego State running back Juwan Washington, center, reacts with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

San Diego State quarterback Ryan Agnew, left, looks to pass as Arizona State linebacker Merlin Robertson defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

San Diego State running back Juwan Washington, left, gets past Arizona State safety Aashari Crosswell as he scores a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

San Diego State cornerback Ron Smith (17) breaks up a pass intended for Arizona State wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

San Diego State quarterback Ryan Agnew runs with the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Arizona State wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (2) reacts on his way to scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Arizona State wide receiver Frank Darby hauls in a pass as San Diego State safety Tariq Thompson defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

San Diego State's Aztec Warrior gets ready to lead the team onto the field before an NCAA college football game against Arizona State, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Arizona State wide receiver Frank Darby reacts after an incomplete pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

San Diego State running back Chase Jasmin, below left, reaches the ball over the goal line for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in San Diego. San Diego State won 28-21. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Arizona State quarterback Manny Wilkins looks on from the sidelines during the second half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in San Diego. San Diego State won 28-21. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

San Diego State tight end Kahale Warring, center, reacts after scoring a two-point conversion during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

San Diego State safety Parker Baldwin (33) deflects a pass on the final play of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in San Diego. San Diego State won 28-21. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Players for San Diego State react after defeating Arizona State in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in San Diego. San Diego State won 28-21. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Arizona State wide receiver N'Keal Harry (1) can't haul in a pass as San Diego State safety Trenton Thompson defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

San Diego State place kicker John Baron II, center, kicks a 54-yard field goal during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

San Diego State place kicker John Baron II, center, reacts after kicking a 54-yard field goal during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

San Diego State running back Juwan Washington, right, runs with the ball as Arizona State safety Jalen Harvey (43), and defensive back Kobe Williams (5) defend during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Arizona State head coach Herm Edwards, second from right, looks on during the second half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Arizona State wide receiver N'Keal Harry can't hold on to a pass as San Diego State safety Parker Baldwin, center, and others defend during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

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