The good, the bad and the ugly in Arizona State's blowout loss to Texas Tech

Arizona State’s game last week against No. 10 Texas Tech was expected to be a loss. However, an extremely rough game was not expected, but that is what played out.

The good

Despite a midgame change at quarterback, the receiving offense was rather good. Senior wide receiver Derek Eusebio caught his first receptions of the season, leading the team in receptions and yards at seven and 89, respectively. 

Sophomore wide receiver Raiden Vines-Bright caught his lone target for 74 yards and a touchdown, his first Sun Devil touchdown. 

Senior Reed Harris, senior Omarion Miller and fifth-year Jalen Moss all had complementary games over 40 yards each. Harris caught a touchdown, making him tied fifth in the nation in receiving touchdowns with eight.

The bad

The punt team struggled. Senior punter Nick McLarty averaged 43.3 yards per punt. One of his three punts was returned for 23 yards.

The running game had a weak game averaging 1.3 yards per carry, albeit including sacks (which the NCAA recognizes as rushes unlike the NFL.) Sixth-year running back Marquis Gillis and freshman running back Cardae Mack both averaged between three and four yards per carry.

Senior running back Kyson Brown averaged 7.8 yards per carry, but he had the fewest carries. The offense averaged 4.4 yards excluding sacks.

The ugly

The offensive line allowed six sacks, costing the Sun Devils 61 yards. 

Junior quarterback Cutter Boley struggled with two interceptions, putting him at five on the season. He only completed 50% of his ten passes. Disregarding the 74-yard pass to Vines-Bright, Boley averaged 5.6 yards per attempt.

The run defense also struggled, allowing 165 yards on 11 carries from TTU junior running back J’Koby Williams alone. The Red Raider offense rushed for 260 yards on 37 carries.

That is the most this season and since the Sun Devils allowed 276 at Utah last season. Arizona State has allowed 200+ yards on the ground twice this season, matching last season’s total.

The third-down defense was okay at best, allowing 4-of-11 conversions. The fourth-down defense struggled, allowing Texas Tech to convert on its two opportunities, both of which were on the ground on fourth-and-one plays.