Arizona State’s Pflugrad has huge game in win against Missouri

When Arizona State quarterback Brock Osweiler needed to make a play he looked to wide receiver Aaron Pflugrad.

At least that’s the way it seemed.

Pflugrad caught eight of Osweiler’s 24 completions in the Sun Devils’ 37-30 overtime win against the Missouri Tigers.

Saying those catches went for big gains would be putting it quite mildy. They went for 180 yards — an average of 22.5 yards per catch.

The senior wide receiver earned high praise from his head coach after the game.

“Aaron Pflugrad had one of the better football games I have ever had from a receiver,” ASU Head Coach Dennis Erickson said. “I don’t know how many catches he had, I don’t know the stats, but what I do know is that every time we needed something he made a big play. He was without a doubt the most valuable player in that game and made plays every time.”

Pflugrad found himself on the receiving end of two touchdowns, a 60-yard bomb on the first play after Missouri tied the game at 10 midway through the second quarter and a 35-yard halfback pass from Jamal Miles.

In the catch from Miles he was pushed out of bounds, came back in bounds, drew a pass interference flag and still made the catch.

While those were great, in the end they weren’t the most important.

Pflugrad’s 13 yard reception on third and seven kept the Sun Devils from kicking a field goal and allowing them to score the eventual game winning touchdown.

“It was a great team victory and a great day to be an ASU Sun Devil,” Pflugrad said.

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