Demario Richard proves explosive as ASU beats New Mexico

Most of it came in chunks.

Three big ones, to be exact.

Demario Richard set an Arizona State running back record with 151 receiving yards on just four catches to help the Sun Devils drop New Mexico 34-10 on Friday.

Richard took two passes from ASU quarterback Mike Bercovici to the house, scoring on a 93-yard pass play on a 3rd-and-10 and earlier in the game sneaking behind the Lobos’ pass rush on a delayed screen pass to score a 33-yard touchdown. The starting running back also ripped off a 33-yard run.

The totals looked impressive. Richard ended his evening with 255 yards, piling up his rushing total to 104 yards on 15 carries as ASU wound the clock in the fourth quarter.

But it was the explosive plays that should have ASU head coach Todd Graham smiling on an evening when things didn’t go cleanly.

ASU allowed New Mexico to convert eight of their first 14 third downs before tightening the screws late in the second half — New Mexico finished converting 9-of-21 third downs. Receiver Tim White muffed a punt that led to three Lobo points. And the offense sputtered in the first half as the Sun Devils’ three-and-outs combined with the New Mexico conversions to make the time of possession lopsided in the Lobos’ favor to the tune of 21 minutes to nine.

Yet, multiple times, there was Richard to save the day and help ASU to a more comfortable win.

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