Offense has been the Achilles heel for Arizona State in the Dennis Erickson era, but coaches and players are optimistic that this year’s unit will be much improved under new offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone. Things got off to a good start last night as the Sun Devils opened their 2010 regular season with a resounding 54-9 win over the Portland State Vikings.
Sophomore Cameron Marshall and freshman Deantre Lewis led the way for the ASU, as they combined for 241 total yards and six touchdowns in front of a half-empty Sun Devil Stadium.
Quarterback Steven Threet was impressive in his ASU debut, as he completed 14 of 21 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. The junior transfer from Michigan looked very comfortable in what was his first start since 2008.
“He made some awfully good throws, got the football out and read things,” Erickson said. ” I thought it was an outstanding performance.”
Arizona State got off to a bit of a sluggish start, as they went three-and-out on their first offensive possession, and allowed a Portland State field goal just three minutes later. But they responded with a six play, 80 yard drive, capped off by Marshall’s 50 yard touchdown run, and never looked back, turning the first of two games against FCS opponents into an early rout.
The Sun Devil defense, touted as one of the best in the Pac-10, was as good as advertised, holding the Vikings to 54 rushing yards and allowing just one play of 20 yards or more.
The story of the night, however, was the offense. Granted Portland State isn’t the worthiest of opponents, but there is no denying that the ASU offense looks improved. The 54 points scored last night were the most in Erickson’s four seasons in Tempe, and the Sun Devils were also able to get big plays, something they have missed the last couple of seasons. Marshall had touchdown runs of 50 and 38 yards, while Lewis had touchdown receptions of 28 and 62 yards.
“What happened tonight was supposed to happen,” Erickson said. “We have to keep getting better. I think we have a chance to be a decent team.”
ASU will play host to Northern Arizona next week, in what should serve as a final tuneup for the Sun Devils before they head to Madison to take on the 12th ranked Wisconsin Badgers on September 18th. You can hear the ASU-NAU game live on the Blaze 1330 AM, starting with the countdown to kick-off pregame show at 6:45 p.m. followed by kick-off at 7:00 p.m.
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Miscellanous Notes
-ASU is now 69-27 all-time in season openers, and 49-15 in home openers.
-Dennis Erickson has won all four of his season openers as ASU head coach.
- DL Lawrence Guy limped off the field early in the third quarter, but Erickson said that he was just a little scraped up and should be fine.
-WR Jamal Miles’ nine-yard touchdown run in the third quarter was the first touchdown of his ASU career.
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