Sun Devils lead at half after LeBron James recommends ASU, USC game

Nov 7, 2020, 11:41 AM | Updated: 4:12 pm

(AP Photo/Matt York)

Arizona Sports

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James told Twitter that one of the best football games to watch Saturday would be Arizona State against USC.

The Sun Devils game him some excitement against his hometown team.

ASU vs USC(which is on now)
Georgia vs UF

— LeBron James (@KingJames) November 7, 2020

Despite a poor passing performance from Jayden Daniels, ASU took a 17-14 lead into the half on the back of the running and short passing games.

Junior running back Rachaad White’s 55-yard catch-and-run gave the lead back to ASU as he caught the pass behind the line of scrimmage, got around a defender and took off down the sideline. He weaved through Trojans, cut back into the middle of the field and took it home.

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

— Christopher Boan (@cgboan) November 7, 2020

This was ASU’s second long touchdown of the game. Early in the second quarter, freshman running back DeaMonte Trayanum broke out for the first Sun Devils touchdown of the season.

He broke through the line of scrimmage and put on a burst of speed while heading to his left, beating the defender on his tail and punching it home.

Welcome to college football, DeaMonte Trayanum.

The true freshman running back rushes for a 25-yard touchdown to give ASU a 10-7 lead. pic.twitter.com/AP3cu0ZXmG

— SunDevilSource.com (@SunDevilSource) November 7, 2020

Daniels struggled in the air, but he had a 38-yard run in the first drive of the game to set up a 38-yard field goal by Cristian Zendejas.

Daniels finished the half with 8-for-14 with 100 passing yards and 46 rushing yards. While 100 yards is a reasonable amount, that 55-yard completion that was caught behind the line of scrimmage accounted for more than half his passing yards.

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Southern California wide receiver Drake London (15) hurdles over Arizona State defensive back DeAndre Pierce (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Arizona State running back Chip Trayanum (1) scores a touchdown ahead of Southern California safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (21) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Arizona State defensive back DeAndre Pierce (2) jumps up in celebration after defensive back Evan Fields (4) caught an interception during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Southern California, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Arizona State quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) throws a pass against Southern California during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Arizona State running back Chip Trayanum (1) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against Southern California during the first half of an NCAA college football game is the phrase Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Southern California wide receiver Bru McCoy (4) catches a deflected pass in the end zone for a touchdown against Arizona State during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Los Angeles. AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Southern California wide receiver Drake London (15) celebrates with teammates Bru McCoy (4), Tyler Vaughns (21) and Justin Dedich (57) after catching a pass in the end zone for a touchdown against Arizona State during an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Los Angeles. USC won 28-27. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Southern California wide receiver Bru McCoy (4) celebrates with Amon-Ra St. Brown (8) after catching a pass in the end zone for a touchdown against Arizona State during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Southern California wide receiver Drake London (15) celebrates with teammates Tyler Vaughns (21) and Bru McCoy (4) after catching a pass in the end zone for a touchdown against Arizona State during an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Los Angeles. USC won 28-27. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Southern California wide receiver Drake London (15) catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown as Arizona State defensive back Kejuan Markham (12) and linebacker Kyle Soelle (34) defend during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Los Angeles. USC won 28-27. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Southern California safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (21) and safety Max Williams (4) celebrate after an incomplete pass intended for Arizona State wide receiver LV Bunkley-Shelton (2) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Southern California linebacker Hunter Echols (31) and cornerback Olaijah Griffin (2) celebrate after they thought they recovered a fumble against Arizona State during the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Los Angeles. Arizona offense recovered the fumble and there was no turnover. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Arizona State's Jack Jones (0) fumbles the ball on a punt return against Southern California during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

A man stands alone in the upper part of the stands during the second half of an NCAA college football game between Southern California and Arizona State, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Cardboard cutouts of Southern California fans are displayed in empty stands during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Southern California wide receivers Bru McCoy (4) and Amon-Ra St. Brown celebrate after McCoy caught a pass deflected by St. Brown for a touchdown as Arizona State defensive back Timarcus Davis walks away during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Los Angeles, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (Keith Birmingham/The Orange County Register via AP)

Arizona State wide receiver Bru McCoy (4) catches a pass for a touchdown that was tipped by teammate wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (8) as Arizona State defensive back DeAndre Pierce (2) and defensive back Timarcus Davis (6) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Los Angeles, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (Keith Birmingham/The Orange County Register via AP)

CORRECTS TO SECOND HALF, NOT FIRST HALF - Southern California wide receiver Drake London (15) catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown as Arizona State defensive back Kejuan Markham (12) and linebacker Kyle Soelle (34) defend during the second half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Los Angeles. USC won 28-27. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

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