Sun Devils lead Kansas State 14-10 despite shaky first half

TEMPE, Ariz. – Arizona State needed a bounce-back game after getting blown out last week against Texas Tech. The Sun Devils were dominated on every level.

Sixth-year quarterback Mikey Keene sparked the offense midway through the game after taking over for junior Cutter Boley. The Sun Devils hoped the spark would turn into fire against Kansas State.

At the half, Keene’s spark had caught fire against the Wildcats, but he was helped off late in the half. Arizona State (3-3, 1-2 Big 12) leads Kansas State (4-2, 1-2 Big 12) 14-10.

The fuel for Keene’s fire is senior wide receiver Reed Harris. The two have connected for 116 yards, including a pair of 35+ yard drive-altering bombs. This is his fourth game over 100 yards this season.

Outside of Harris, Keene only has 44 yards.

Boley looked shaky: his first pass, a screen, was barely completed, and his next went incomplete. On the final play of the half, he was sacked on a shoestring tackle.

Freshman running back Cardae Mack is an oxidizer for the offense's flames. He has 46 yards, including a 24-yard run. He has two touchdowns, including one on a direct snap.

The offense has failed to move the ball when it does not find Harris for a big play early in drives.

The offensive line has allowed two sacks, down from six last week.

The Sun Devil defense has also been hot-and-cold. It forced two three-and-outs early, but every other drive has resulted in drives over seven plays or more.

They allowed 179 yards on the day, with 121 in the air from KSU quarterback Jacob Knuth, who is starting in place of the injured Avery Johnson.

That has resulted in Kansas State dominating the time of possession for over 19 minutes.

There have been no turnovers this game by either team.

Sixth-year kicker Carson Smith made both of his extra points. Senior punter Nick McLarty is having his best game as a Sun Devil, averaging 48.3 yards per punt.