Keegan Herring rushed for a career-high 197 yards on 23 carries Saturday night. But long after ASU's 52-21 rout of Northwestern, he still held the ball tucked firmly under his left arm.
Herring has experienced his share of ups and downs three games into his freshman season. He has run for over 100 yards in two of those contests but has also fumbled three times, including twice on Saturday.
But Herring said he was able to shrug off those mistakes.
"My offensive line just said, 'Hey, don't worry about that last play,' " he said. "So I didn't, and I gave it 110 percent on the next play."
Trailing 7-0 in the first quarter from the ASU 32-yard line, Herring burst through a hole up the middle and ripped off a 67-yard run. He eluded defenders, cut outside and streaked down the sideline ahead of the pack, seemingly on his way to a touchdown.
But Northwestern defensive back Marquice Cole caught him from behind and jarred the ball loose. The Wildcats recovered it in the end zone.
Herring also lost a costly third quarter fumble inside the 5-yard line during a 4-point loss to LSU on Sept. 10.
"Obviously we need to take care of the fumble situation, but I'm very happy with Keegan," coach Dirk Koetter said. "From the first day up at Camp T, he's been very steady and gotten better every day."
Herring redeemed himself on ASU's next possession. His number was called twice inside the red zone and rushed in the team's first touchdown from 2 yards out.
"That means a lot to me," Herring said. "I just thank my coaches, my quarterback and my O-line for having faith in me because usually if you fumble two or three times in a game, especially for a freshman, you'll sit down real quick."
By halftime, Herring had compiled 148 yards on the ground and two touchdowns.
"Keegan's a stud," quarterback Sam Keller said. "When I turn around to see what has happened with a play after I've handed the ball off, it's like he's already gone.
"He's pretty exciting."
Herring carried the ball eight more times for 53 yards in the third quarter before his night ended with 15 minutes to play and the game well in-hand.
With key offensive starters Zach Miller and Terry Richardson absent from the lineup due to injury and tailback Rudy Burgess limited by a sore back, Herring was asked to take on an expanded role.
His 23 carries Saturday night were more than he had in the previous two games combined.
"The mark of a great back is one that can take 20 carries and do it week after week," Koetter said. "We wanted to see if he could make it that much, and he sure answered the call."
Reach the reporter at derrik.miller@asu.edu.
