Raleek Brown, defense shine in ASU’s dominating win over Colorado

BOULDER, Colo. — The Arizona State Sun Devils (8-3 overall, 6-2 conference) went into a matchup against the Colorado Buffaloes (3-8, 1-7) absolutely needing a win to stay alive in Big 12 play, and pulled through with a 42-17 victory.

ASU escapes turnover-filled game with victory

Despite losing the turnover battle, mostly in ugly ways, the team managed to put together an all-around dominating performance. In addition to the 25-point win margin, ASU out-gained Colorado by 280 yards.

“You can’t lose the turnover battle four to one,” ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham said. “You’re going to win 5% of those games, if not less. That happened to be one of the five percent.”

The win was ASU’s first by multiple possessions since Week 3 against Texas State.

Raleek Brown shines, breaks ASU record

Junior running back Raleek Brown was a leading part in the offensive explosion. He recorded 255 yards on 22 carries, including an 88-yard score that seemed to suck the already thin air out of Folsom Field.

The long run came just one possession after Brown fumbled the ball while attempting to hurdle a defender.

“I told everyone I was going to get a touchdown next possession,” Brown said. “And it happened on the first play.”

It was the most rushing yards by a running back on the road in program history. It was the third-best performance in that regard overall.

“He played great,” Dillingham said. “O-line played phenomenal in the second half…we started moving people, running backs saw the holes. He played phenomenal.”

Sims struggles, Tyson limited in action

Senior quarterback Jeff Sims struggled with turnovers for the first time so far this season, something that has plagued him throughout his collegiate career.

His first turnover came on a 50/50 ball to the 5-foot-9-inch Brown, who could not do very much against the 6’2” sophomore safety John Slaughter.

The return of star junior wide receiver Jordyn Tyson did not aid the lack of an air attack.

In a limited role, which Dillingham said was a “pitch count” of 30 snaps, Tyson recorded just two catches for 61 yards. 42 of those came on a leaping snag on the first drive of the game.

Defense shines bright in win

Thankfully for Sims and the rest of the offense, the defense played an extremely influential role for the Sun Devils.

“Two games,” Dillingham said. “If you’re defending 17 drives… that’s a game and three quarters. And to only give up 17 points and 300 yards in a game and three quarters is phenomenal.”

On the four takeaways, Colorado put up just three points. Freshman quarterback Julian Love, who Dillingham commended after the game, was on the run all night.

The consistent pressure from the Sun Devil defense ended with four sacks and 11 tackles for loss.

Colorado had eight drives that ended with under ten yards from scrimmage, none of which included turnovers.

Sun Devils victory keeps their season alive

Dillingham commended his team not only for the battle tonight but throughout the season, and for the fact that they are still alive.

Although BYU’s victory over Cincinnati put a significant damper on ASU’s odds of getting back to the Big 12 Championship, the win kept the season alive.

Following all of Saturday’s action, Arizona State will be eliminated with a loss against Arizona. With a win, they would need some help involving Texas Tech, BYU, and/or Utah losing in a pretty complicated scenario.

Dillingham did not say it directly tonight, but he has said it numerous times before, and his message has been consistent – worry about us. The team will surely get it shortly.

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