ASU QB Jayden Daniels sets career-high in rushing yards during home win
Sep 11, 2021, 10:48 PM | Updated: Sep 12, 2021, 12:23 am
Arizona State quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) looks to throw as UNLV defensive lineman Kolo Uasike (94) pursues during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
Arizona State junior quarterback Jayden Daniels set his college-high in rushing yards Saturday night with 125 in a 37-10 victory over UNLV.
Daniels was the game’s leading rusher, and he gained more yards on the ground than UNLV had through the air.
His previous high was 111 yards at USC in 2020. He beat that before the end of the third quarter.
His personal record-breaking carry came at a crucial point in the game, when ASU led by four with just under three minutes left in the third period.
On an option play, Daniels kept the ball and broke out to the right side. He reached the sideline and gained 22 yards before stepping out of bounds at the UNLV 11-yard line.
Three downs later, redshirt senior running back Rachaad White crossed the goal line to give ASU and 21-10 lead after the extra point.
Before that, ASU had not scored since the 2:56 mark at the end of the first half, keeping the Rebels in the game.
From there, ASU took command, scoring 16 more unanswered points to put the game away.
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Daniels was not his sharpest as a passer early. He threw an interception on the opening drive as he tried to hit redshirt freshman Johnny Wilson on a fade.
His receivers did not help much, as they struggled to create separation and dropped multiple passes, including on two screens.
But, he found a rhythm in the fourth quarter, completing six of seven throws for 88 yards to lead two touchdown drives and set up a field goal.
He finished shy of Mark Malone’s school record for rushing yards by a quarterback in a single game by 17 yards, but Daniels led ASU to a 2-0 start.
