ASU’s big plays help them extend lead over USC in season opener

The Arizona State Sun Devils have run roughshod through the USC Trojans front seven in Saturday’s season opener in Los Angeles.

The 17-yard touchdown by DeaMonte Trayanum in the third quarter was set up by a Chase Lucas forced fumble and a pair of runs by quarterback Jayden Daniels that helped the team convert what had been a second-and-24.

Lucas’ strip was the third Sun Devils forced turnover of the game. It put the kibosh on a promising drive for the hometown Trojans.

Chase Lucas just pulled off one helluva strip against USC. pic.twitter.com/hhlVH0ZksW

— Christopher Boan (@cgboan) November 7, 2020

ASU’s offense was almost immediately pushed back, but Daniels pulled off some magic on the ground.

On second-and-24 he ran for 10 yards, and then on third-and-14 he gained 31 yards on the ground to put the Sun Devils in position to score.

Jayden Daniels is a bad man. pic.twitter.com/LZk6GTgr6F

— Christopher Boan (@cgboan) November 7, 2020

Trayanum finished off the drive with a bruising touchdown run to give the Sun Devils a 10-point edge over the Trojans.

Chip Trayanum crashes his way into the end zone for a 17-yard rushing TD.

ASU leads the USC Trojans, 24-14. pic.twitter.com/H2CHnocLsq

— Christopher Boan (@cgboan) November 7, 2020

Trayanum’s first touchdown of the game was also a big one. The 25-yard run in the second quarter gave ASU a 10-7 lead.

Perhaps the biggest play of the opening half was the 55-yard touchdown from Daniels to running back Rachaad White.

Daniels completed a simple checkdown route to the junior, with White maneuvering past several Trojans, en route to the end zone.

White’s touchdown gave the Sun Devils a 17-14 edge heading into the half, setting the stage for an action-laden third quarter of play.

Does anyone on USC's roster know how to tackle? #Pac12FB #Pac12AfterBrunch pic.twitter.com/Jn5ZE3Zp5L

— Christopher Boan (@cgboan) November 7, 2020

The Sun Devils entered the fourth quarter of the season opener with a 24-14 lead over USC before making a field goal to extend their lead to 27-14.

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