ARIZONA STATE FOOTBALL

State of the Sun Devils podcast: ASU football loses shocker to Eastern Michigan

Sep 18, 2022, 11:41 AM | Updated: 11:52 am

TEMPE — On the latest episode of State of the Sun Devils, an Arizona Sports podcast, Jesse Morrison, Jeremy Schnell and Jake Anderson break down ASU’s shocking 30-21 home loss to Eastern Michigan on Saturday night.

The trio discusses how Arizona State couldn’t stop EMU’s running game and was blown off the line of scrimmage all night, regardless of the Sun Devils completely rotating all four defensive linemen in and out.

Eastern Michigan running back Samson Evans finished with an astounding 258 rushing yards on 36 carries for an average of 7.2 per rush.

EMU had 458 total yards of offense (305 rushing, 153 passing) on 73 plays while winning the time of possession by chewing up nearly 35 minutes off the clock.

Eastern Michigan also converted 25 first downs, with the Eagles going a whopping 11-for-15 on third down (73%).

Compare those metrics to Arizona State’s 352 total yards of offense (170 rushing, 182 passing) on 55 plays across just over 25 minutes of possession.

The Sun Devils went 4-for-9 on third-down conversion attempts and were even winning the turnover battle until their final drive of the game ended with a fumble.

ASU quarterback Emory Jones went 20-for-32 (62.5%) for a game-high 182 passing yards and a score, and wide receiver Elijhah Badger finished with seven receptions and for 88 receiving yards — both of which were game highs.

However, an overthrow from Jones to WR Gio Sanders and two drops by Badger and WR Zeke Freeman saw Arizona State miss out on three opportunities for walk-in touchdowns.

TEMPE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 17: Head coaches Chris Creighton of the Eastern Michigan Eagles and Herm Edwards of the Arizona State Sun Devils talk before the start of the NCAAF game at Sun Devil Stadium on September 17, 2022 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Eastern Michigan quarterback Taylor Powell (7) throws a pass against Arizona State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Eastern Michigan coach Chris Creighton talks to players during a timeout in the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Arizona State on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Eastern Michigan running back Evans Sampson (22) gets stopped by Arizona State's Kyle Soelle (34) and D.J. Taylor (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Eastern Michigan running back Evans Sampson (22) gets wrapped up by Arizona State's Jordan Clark (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Eastern Michigan quarterback Austin Smith (19) runs away from Arizona State's Kyle Soelle (34) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Eastern Michigan receiver Hassan Bedouin (2) celebrates his touchdown against Arizona State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Arizona State quarterback Emory Jones (5) celebrates his touchdown against Eastern Michigan with Des Holmes (75) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Arizona State quarterback Emory Jones (5) looks to pass against Eastern Michigan during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Arizona State's Andre Johnson (82) fights for extra yardage against Eastern Michigan's Joshua Scott (15) and David Carter Jr. (27) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Eastern Michigan's defense smothers Arizona State's Andre Johnson (82) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Arizona State quarterback Emory Jones (5) looks to pass against Eastern Michigan during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Arizona State coach Herm Edwards looks toward the scoreboard with his team his down against Eastern Michigan during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Eastern Michigan quarterback Taylor Powell (7) reacts to a score against Arizona State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) TEMPE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 01: Running back Xazavian Valladay #1 of the Arizona State Sun Devils rushes the football against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks during the NCAAF game at Sun Devil Stadium on September 01, 2022 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Lumberjacks 40-3.  (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Eastern Michigan's Steve Bird (46) and teammates celebrate their 30-21 win over Arizona State's at the end of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) In an nearly empty stadium Eastern Michigan's Andreas Paaske (85) has a moment to himself after their 30-21 win over Arizona State's at the end of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Eastern Michigan's Gunnar Oakes (82) celebrate their 30-21 win over Arizona State's at the end of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Eastern Michigan's Andreas Paaske (85) has a moment to himself after their 30-21 win over Arizona State's at the end of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Eastern Michigan's Dexter Manior (91), left, Korey Hernandez (5), middle, and Melvin Swindle II, (99), right, wave the Mid-America Conference flag after their 30-21 win over Arizona State's at the end of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Eastern Michigan's Korey Hernandez (5) and Mark Lee Jr. (17) take a victory lap after their 30-21 win over Arizona State's at the end of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

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