Opportunistic WSU Cougars beat ASU 34-21 for Dickert’s first win as HC

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Jayden de Laura accounted for three touchdowns and WSU forced five turnovers in a 34-21 win over Arizona State on Saturday.

WSU Cougars 34, ASU Sun Devils 21: Box Score

The Cougars (5-4, 4-2 Pac-12), one of the nation’s best at creating takeaways, were at their ball-hawking best in the first half, forcing four turnovers. WSU’s offense capitalized, scoring 24 points after Arizona State turnovers for its first win since coach Nick Rolovich was fired on Oct. 18 for not complying with the state’s vaccination mandate. Interim head coach Jake Dickert picked up his first win as a head coach.

The Sun Devils (5-3, 3-2) got off to an abysmal start coming off a bye week, turning it over on their opening three drives, including twice in the first three plays.

Jayden Daniels threw two interceptions and Arizona State lost three fumbles to suffer a second straight lackluster defeat that had fans inside Sun Devil Stadium booing throughout.

The worst part was the Sun Devils had an extra week to regroup after giving up 28 second-half points in a 35-21 loss to Utah on Oct. 16.

They could have used another week off.

Arizona State bumbled its way through the first half, following the three opening turnovers by turning it over on downs at Washington State’s 18-yard line and missing a 32-yard field goal after a false start negated a made one.

A holding penalty also wiped out Daniels’ 56-yard touchdown run and Daniyel Ngata lost a fumble on the next play.

Daniels finally gave Arizona State a glimmer of hope in the final seconds of the first half, throwing a 12-yard TD pass to LV Bunkley-Shelton. That cut Washington State’s lead to 28-7.

Any chance at momentum ended when Daniels threw a lob that went right to Washington State’s Jaylen Watson in the third quarter.

While WSU’s defense was creating turnovers, the offense was picking apart the Sun Devils.

The Cougars were stopped on downs after the first turnover, but de Laura scored on a 1-yard run then dropped a 28-yard pass over a defender to Travell Harris for a 28-yard touchdown.

Deon McInintosh scored on 1-yard TD run in the second quarter and, after Arizona State’s fourth turnover, de Laura found Calvin Jackson, Jr. on a 45-yard touchdown pass to put Washington State up 28-0.

Dean Janikowski kicked a 40-yard field goal after Daniels’ second interception to make it 31-7 in the third quarter.

BIG PICTURE

WSU’s defense created the opportunities and its offense capitalized, keeping the Cougars in the mix for the Pac-12 North title despite losing their head coach less than two weeks ago.

Arizona State’s bid to win the Pac-12 South took a big hit after consecutive duds. The Sun Devils were outscored by a combined 56-0 in the second half against Utah and the first half against Washington State before Daniels’ TD pass to Bunkley-Shelton in the closing seconds.

UP NEXT

WSU is at No. 7 Oregon next Saturday.

Arizona State hosts Southern California next Saturday.