ASU’s Eno Benjamin unstoppable early against Oregon State
Sep 29, 2018, 8:47 PM | Updated: 10:40 pm
Arizona State running back Eno Benjamin (3) celebrates his touchdown with tight end Tommy Hudson, right, and wide receiver Tyerell Baldonado-Kaeiopu (84) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Oregon State, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
The Arizona State Sun Devils hit the ground running–literally–in the opening quarter against Oregon State on Saturday.
ASU got off to a 10-0 lead after the first quarter highlighted by a 44-yard rushing touchdown by sophomore running back Eno Benjamin. The team also had 10:02 time of possession in the first led by Benjamin who had 111 yards rushing on 11 carries.
The Sun Devils opened the second quarter with an eight-yard rollout pass from Manny Wilkins to Benjamin for a touchdown on the first possession.
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With just under eight minutes left in the first half, Benjamin set a new career-high in rushing yards after another 40-plus yard touchdown run. He also set a school rushing record for yards in the first half with 185, surpassing former ASU running back Woody Green who had 173 yards.
.@eno_benjamin5 HAT TRICK SZN 🎩 pic.twitter.com/Xsr574DPb0
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) September 30, 2018
Benjamin appeared in just 10 games for the Sun Devils last year as a reserve running back and kickoff return specialist before becoming a focal point of head coach Herm Edwards’ run-heavy offense.
On the defensive side, ASU had trouble with the run, giving up two rushing touchdowns on 127 total yards in the half for the Beavers.
Freshman running back Jermar Jefferson, who scored both times for OSU had 20 carries for 142 yards before halftime including a 27-yard rushing touchdown to cut ASU’s lead down to 24-17.
But the Sun Devils struck again on offense after a Manny Wilkins touchdown pass to Kyle Williams to extend the lead to 31-17 at halftime.
