ASU’s Dasmond Tautalatasi intercepts Michigan State pass in end zone
Sep 8, 2018, 9:10 PM | Updated: 11:40 pm
Arizona State defensive back Demonte King (28) tips a pass intended for Michigan State tight end Matt Dotson (89) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Coming off a 49-7 win over UTSA, ASU defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales told his unit that “we’re not very good yet.”
They took that to heart.
The defense limited Michigan State to just three points over the first 20 minutes of the game, but ran into trouble as the Spartans advanced on their first full drive of the second quarter.
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Quarterback Brian Lewerke fooled the unit in the red zone by faking to his right before finding a wide open receiver on the left side for a 13-yard gain.
With their backs against the goal line, the defense needed to make a stop.
They came through on a slightly high throw by Lewerke, who was under pressure.
The ball bounced off the hand of Michigan State tight end Matt Dotson and then was tipped in the air by defensive back Demonte King.
Defensive back Dasmond Tautalatasi ran under it to catch it in the end zone.
He sprinted out to get to the 16-yard line before getting taken down.
It was the first interception of Tautalatasi’s collegiate career.
ASU was forced to punt on its next drive, but the interception stopped Michigan State’s progress and kept the deficit at 3-0.
That remained the score at halftime.
