Trailing by three points, Arizona State stopped California on a 4th-and-goal on the 1-yard line with just under three minutes left in the game.
However, redshirt junior quarterback Trenton Bourguet and the banged-up Sun Devil offense could not reward the defense, eventually turning it over on downs.
The Golden Bears would kneel it out, securing a 24-21 victory at home.
Missed opportunities crushed ASU’s momentum all day long.
The difference in the game was a third-quarter red zone opportunity for ASU which ended in a field goal. On 4th-and-goal on the goal line, junior tailback Cam Skattebo made a short pass to redshirt junior receiver Elijhah Badger for a touchdown. Unfortunately for the Sun Devils, the team had 12 players on the field.
“That was upsetting. We have to be able to see that as a staff,” head coach Kenny Dillingham said. “And it happens in a critical moment and costs us four points.”
That was one of two “crucial penalties” according to the first-year coach.
The second allowed Cal to shave about a minute off the clock before ASU made the goal line stand. A blatant pass interference on a totally broken play allowed Cal to go for another touchdown and take the clock under three minutes.
For the second time in as many weeks, it was an inspiring effort from the Maroon and Gold defense.
Redshirt junior linebacker Caleb McCullough and graduate student defensive lineman Dashaun Mallory had standout games. The linebacker finished with a sack and two tackles for loss while the lineman had ASU’s other sack and four tackles for loss.
“The defense, we look forward to the challenge every single week,” Mallory said. “Obviously we need to work more on trying to get turnovers… but the defense played their ass off today.”
The Sun Devils outgained the Golden Bears 180 to 142 yards in the first half but still trailed at 10-7 at the half.
It felt as though ASU might have snatched all the momentum after an absurd 4th down play call by head coach Kenny Dillingham.
The 1st year coach opted to go for it in his team’s own territory. What appeared to be a broken run play for junior Cam Skattebo turned into another passing play for the do-it-all tailback, this time to Bourguet. Skattebo underthrew his quarterback, but Bourguet did his best Randy Moss impression and went over the Cal defensive back for an 18-yard grab.
Just how we drew it up 🔱
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) September 30, 2023
Skattebo to Bourget for the fourth down conversion!
📺 Pac-12 Network
📱https://t.co/tULoO6B6Cj#ForksUp pic.twitter.com/f49ve5GAh1
The shocking play would not mean anything, as ASU’s drive would stall and the Sun Devils turned it over on downs. Another missed opportunity.
Early in the fourth quarter, Bourguet had a chance to lead the Sun Devils down the field to take the lead. Instead, he was blasted while trying to throw and was picked off by junior nickel Matthew Littlejohn.
“I just can’t get too greedy,” the quarterback said.
Cal, with excellent field position, punched it in to take a 24-13 lead.
Bourguet recovered admirably, cashing in on a brilliant kickoff return by Badger for 52 yards.
The veteran quarterback worked his team into a goal-to-go situation and took it himself for a 2-yard rushing touchdown.
He then threw a beautiful pass to Badger in the back of the end zone for the 2-point conversion to make it 24-21.
Bourguet finished with 344 yards passing and an interception. He also logged 18 yards receiving and one rushing touchdown.
A continuing trend with ASU has been poor execution by the punt unit and today was no exception.
Graduate student punter Josh Carlson has struggled and today had an average punt distance of 36.2 yards.
In a game, and season for that matter, where ASU’s defense has been on the field for extended minutes, that is not a recipe for success.
“The special teams, punt return trade-off right now is pretty drastic,” Dillingham said. “I haven’t looked at the stats but I would say we lost at least 50 yards minimum… we have to look at that in our punt game because just right now that’s been a struggle for us.”
Cal’s offense was carried heavily by junior receiver Jeremiah Hunter, who made two key catches, one of which was for a touchdown, and sophomore tailback Jaydn Ott.
Ott carried the ball 29 times for 167 yards, taking enormous pressure off struggling redshirt sophomore quarterback Sam Jackson V.
Outside of Ott and Hunter, Cal’s offense was unimpressive. The opportunities to steal the win were there all day for ASU.
After today’s latest heartbreaker, the Sun Devils will begin preparations for Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes next weekend in Tempe.
The high-scoring Buffalo offense will pose similar challenges to what ASU faced against USC last week.
However, as Mallory said, the defense has not backed down from any challenges this year so far, and even with the injuries piling up, it likely won’t stop the hard work.
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