Arizona State falls to Eastern Michigan after lackluster 1st half

The Arizona State Sun Devils got punched in the mouth in the first half by Eastern Michigan on Saturday night in Tempe, falling 30-21 at Sun Devil Stadium.

The Sun Devils started the game allowing a field goal on its first defensive possession, the first points the team has allowed in the first quarter all year.

ASU went three-and-out on its first two offensive possession and then also allowed a touchdown on its second defensive possession.

The home squad faced an early 10-0 deficit with just over three minutes in the first quarter before even running its fourth offensive play.

The Eagles went 9-for-10 on third downs in the half.

Although, the Sun Devils used the momentum from a Kejuan Markham interception to cash in with a touchdown vs. Eastern Michigan, shaking off a slow offensive first quarter.

.@kejuan_markham said “I’ll take that!” 🤲

📺 Pac-12 Network
📱 https://t.co/ykEUeK0g0z#Pac12FB | @ASUFootball pic.twitter.com/AQ8U2a9OLu

— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) September 18, 2022

The Eagles faced a first-and-10 on their own 37 when Markham read the deep crossing route and intercepted EMU QB Taylor Powell.

After the interception, ASU took over on the Eagles’ 22-yard-line. It took three plays before ASU QB Emory Jones found wideout Andre Johnson for a three-yard score.

After EMU marched down the field with a touchdown of its own, ASU saw its best offensive drive of the night with an 11-play, 75-yard response of a drive.

QB Emory Jones punched in the score with a three-yard run.

Emory Jones' first rush of the game.#ForksUp /// #O2V pic.twitter.com/12O6NMRqTb https://t.co/zOPGr34umj

— Jake Anderson (@jwa1994) September 18, 2022

When it seemed as if ASU had regained some momentum, EMU marched 79 yards the other way and retook the 10-point lead at the half.

Defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott left Saturday’s contest with an apparent left leg on the first defensive series of the game.

The redshirt sophomore is one of the Sun Devils’ best players on the defense, totaling 36 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 13 career games.

Starting corner Ro Torrence was also not dressed at kickoff after he was injured against Oklahoma State a week ago.