After first play hiccup, Edwards relies on playmakers in first win with ASU

The Arizona State Sun Devils earned an impressive 49-7 victory over UTSA in Herm Edwards’ first game as head coach.

Most people would say that the Edwards era got off to a fast start. Ironically, the first offensive play for the Sun Devils resulted in a delay of game penalty.

“We were sloppy in our play,” Edwards told Doug & Wolf  on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station. “Our offense is one of those offenses that wants go fast on the sideline, but when they take the ball and they place it, the 40-second clock starts running.”

The Sun Devils committed 95 yards worth of penalties against UTSA, which could be an issue of concern going forward. 

“It falls on us but 11 fouls period is not the team that we really want to be,” Edwards said.

After the first play debacle, the offense settled in behind big nights from junior receiver N’Keal Harry and sophomore running back Eno Benjamin. Both players finished with two touchdowns while Harry racked up 140 receiving yards and Benjamin finished with 131 rushing yards.

Most people expected a big season from Harry who was awarded Freshman All-American honors two seasons ago and All-Pac 12 honors last year, but Benjamin might be the key to the Sun Devils season moving forward.

“He played terrific, he is a very accomplished player. He does all the things well, catches the ball, runs well, good after contact, which good runners generally have,” Edwards said about Benjamin.

Next week will present a new challenge as the Sun Devils bump heads with one of the favorites to win Big Ten, 11th ranked Michigan State.

“Michigan State plays really good against the run. They have a big time defense, seventh in the country total defense, second against the run.” Edwards said. “Its going to be a task to run the ball on them, but you have to try to run the ball on them.”

The ASU-Michigan State game kicks off Sept. 8 at 7:45 p.m. and can be heard on ESPN 620 AM.

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