Without Sam Leavitt, Jeff Sims’ first start for ASU left a lot to be desired as the Sun Devils were unable to build off of the moment defense that kept them in it, losing 24-14 to Cincinnati on Saturday.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Sims threw for 155 yards from 12-of-23 passing and rushed 14 times for an additional 53 yards in Arizona State’s (5-2, 2-2 B12) lackluster defeat. Cam Skattebo, the reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, scored two touchdowns, had 17 carries and ran for 75 yards.
Brendan Sorsby continued his dominant season so far by completing 23-of-31 passes for 206 yards and two rushing touchdowns for Bearcats (5-2, 3-1 B12). Though he didn’t score, Corey Kiner totaled 22 carries for 99 yards and reached over 2,000 career rushing yards at Cincinnati in the victory.
Offensive mistakes haunt Sun Devils
Though it was an early kick-off for ASU with it being 9 a.m. in Arizona time, the Sun Devils’ defense came out to play. While the rambunctious Bearcats crowd was trying to create a hostile environment, Arizona State quickly forced Cincinnati to punt after three straight plays.
The three-and-out from the defense helped ASU’s offense get up and running. Following a massive 29-yard rush by Kyson Brown into the red zone, Skattebo ran to his left wide-open for a touchdown.
But just as the Sun Devils got off to the start they wanted, it spiraled downhill.
On the ensuing drive after an interception by Keith Abney II, Skattebo tried to rush through the Bearcats’ defensive line before Antwan Peek Jr. punched the ball out of Skattebo’s hands and Cam Wilson recovered the fumble. Sorsby scored a 14-yard touchdown to cap off the wild turn of events.
Tied 7-7, ASU was stuffed when it tried to respond. Cincinnati’s defense swarmed Skattebo when he tried to convert on a fourth down conversion near midfield before Nathan Hawks punished Arizona State with a 46-yard field goal.
Evan Pryor then exploited a massive gap and busted down the middle for a gigantic 55-yard score. A transfer from Ohio State, Pryor is having a career season with 307 yards, four touchdowns and 31 carries in seven games.
Things went from bad to worse for ASU as Cincinnati put together three straight 15-plus yard plays until Sorsby finished the drive with a second rushing touchdown for a 24-7 lead.
Missing Leavitt due to a rib injury, Sims took over the starting quarterback duties at Arizona State and the Sun Devils were all out of sorts on the attack. He passed for just 56 yards, Skattebo was held to 25 yards and the Sun Devils were 0-for-5 on crucial third-down conversions in the first half.
Defense steps up, Cincinnati hand ASU second loss
Besides Skattebo’s touchdown, Arizona State’s offense was stagnant with only seven points until the 2:26 mark of the third quarter.
Shutout in the second quarter, the 5-foot-10 running back broke through two tackles and shouldered a third defender in the end zone to give ASU some life, trailing 24-14.
Having the traits to be a dynamic force, Sorsby utilized his duel-threat capability to both rush and use his arm when needed and for the most part, he executed. Despite a few risky deep throws that were nearly picked off, he ran for 26 yards from seven carries.
Just when Cincinnati was close to extending its lead, C.J. Fite came up with a huge block on fourth down.
While the defense was the story for the Sun Devils, the offense couldn’t reward their efforts. Having an opportunity to be within a touchdown with 5:58 left in the game, Ian Hershey shanked a 48-yard attempt way wide which ultimately sealed the fate of Arizona State.
ASU went to the running game in the second half and while the team gained some yardage, the Sun Devils were unable to score minus Skattebo. Cincinnati’s defense was well-structured and gave Arizona State’s wideouts next to no room to get open, racking up 155 receiving yards.
Hershey missed another field-goal attempt and the kicking struggles that have negatively impacted ASU almost all season persisted once again. He was 0-for-2 on field goals and 2-for-2 on extra points.
Next Games
ASU: Away at Oklahoma State (0-4, 3-4 B12) | Oct. 19 | Time TBD
Cincinnati: Away at Colorado (4-2, 2-1 B12) | Oct. 26 | 7:15 p.m. PT
High School WR Michael Scott decommits from ASU, reopens recruitment
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers the Phoenix Mercury, Suns and ASU Athletics for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
