Arizona State, Morgan State agree to 10-minute 4th quarter in Sun Devils’ season opener

Arizona State and Morgan State mutually agreed to play a 10-minute fourth quarter during the Sun Devils’ season-opening 70-7 win against the Bears on Saturday.

Officials announced prior to the start of the fourth quarter that both teams’ coaches agreed to the shortened quarter. Head coach Kenny Dillingham said postgame the refs approached him, and Morgan State head coach Damon Wilson asked if they could shorten the fourth quarter, which he agreed to. Dillingham added that it was something he had never experienced in a game before.

“I’ve never been a part of a game like that. I didn’t even know that was legal, but I learned something today. When he asked to shorten it. I said, ‘ Whatever he wants, we’ll do,'”Dillingham said. 

The decision came after a dominant showing from ASU’s offense, led by Kentucky transfer quarterback Cutter Boley, who tossed 387 yards for six touchdowns in his debut with the Sun Devils. Wide receiver Reed Harris led the Sun Devils with six catches for 137 yards and two touchdowns in his ASU debut, while running back Kyson Brown rushed for 80 yards and a touchdown.

Boley was replaced by backup quarterback Mikey Keene, who played a majority of the second half before he was replaced by freshman Jake Fette late in the fourth quarter.

ASU racked up 681 yards of offense in the win. Saturday’s game marked the first time the Sun Devils scored 70 points in a game since their 70-7 win over Arizona in the Territorial Cup in 2020.

The ASU-Morgan State game wasn’t the only college football game on Saturday that was shortened, as South Carolina’s 57-0 win over Kent State also had a shortened fourth quarter, which was due to excessive heat.

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