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.
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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.
