The second week of September provided ASU football fans with a number of memorable moments. Throughout the years, the Sun Devils have accumulated several signature wins over non-conference foes in the early part of September. Here are four of their most notable games during this week in history.
Sept. 8, 2018: ASU beats #15 Michigan State 16-13
The Herm Edwards era started with a bang in Tempe. Following a 49-7 win over UTSA in the home opener, ASU's defense stepped up and held No. 15 Michigan State to 13 points in a week two victory.
Not only was the upset a foundational win for Edwards, but it was also a breath of fresh air for Sun Devil fans. Todd Graham’s defense ranked near the bottom of college football in his final year in 2017. Holding a ranked opponent to one passing touchdown in a new head coach's second game gave fans a reason to be excited about the future.
“I can’t say enough about our fans," Edwards said to The State Press. "The student body, they were all in. They were really good.”
Unfortunately, after the upset, the Sun Devils lost to San Diego State the following week. ASU finished the season with a 7-6 record.
Sept. 9, 2011: ASU overcomes #21 Missouri 37-30 in overtime
On Sept. 9, 2011, the Sun Devils welcomed #21 Missouri to Tempe in what would become the first "blackout" game in ASU football history.
ASU’s “blackout” games eventually drew criticism after students attending the team's 2014 iteration of the game painted their faces to resemble blackface, a form of theatrical makeup viewed as racist. This led to ASU discouraging wearing black face paint at its future "blackout" games.
The Sun Devils got out to a 30-16 lead early in the fourth quarter. But the Tigers came roaring back, managing to score on consecutive possessions to tie the game late.
With seconds left in regulation, the Tigers called on kicker Grant Ressel to potentially win the game with a field goal. However, Ressel missed the kick and sent the game to overtime tied 30-30.
In the first possession of overtime, ASU quarterback Brock Osweiler lobbed an 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jamal Miles, giving the Sun Devils a 37-30 lead. The defense stood tall and stopped Missouri from tying the game, cementing one of the final statement wins of head coach Dennis Erickson's tenure in Tempe.
“Thank God he missed that kick," Erickson said to The State Press after the game. "I was in that locker room when we lost those close ones last year and we were able to find a way to do it (tonight), which I think is a springboard.”
Sept. 10, 2016: Kalen Ballage scores eight touchdowns versus Texas Tech, tying an NCAA record
ASU’s second game of the season against Texas Tech in 2016 was by no means highly anticipated nationally. The Sun Devils were coming off an underwhelming 6-7 2015 campaign, while the Red Raiders were led by former three-star recruit Patrick Mahomes.
Despite the lack of national attention pregame, ASU’s 68-55 victory over Texas Tech was an instant classic. Running back Kalen Ballage, who wasn’t even the primary ball carrier for the Sun Devils heading into the game, had arguably one of the greatest single-game performances in college football history.
Ballage was responsible for eight touchdowns, tying an NCAA single-game record. He accomplished the feat with just 13 rushing attempts.
Ballage was not the only player to boast eye-popping numbers. Mahomes threw for 540 yards and five touchdowns and ran for one touchdown. However, a pair of fourth quarter interceptions from the Red Raiders quarterback proved to be the difference in the game.
"We told our guys that we were going to somehow, someway win this game and we did," Graham said to The State Press after the game. "I think we surprised some people but we definitely did not surprise ourselves."
ASU and Texas Tech both went on to finish the season with 5-7 records.
Sept. 10, 2005: #15 Sun Devils fall to #5 LSU in Instant Classic
In a game that was scheduled to take place in Baton Rouge, ASU welcomed LSU to Tempe amid relief efforts from Hurricane Katrina.
Sun Devil Stadium packed 63,210 fans to witness a back-and-forth battle from beginning to end.
With 1:13 left to play, LSU sophomore quarterback JaMarcus Russell delivered a fourth down touchdown pass to wide receiver Early Doucet to give LSU a 35-31 lead. The Tigers would hold on and hand the Sun Devils their first loss of the season.
For the Sun Devils, junior quarterback Sam Keller threw for a career-high 464 yards and four touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Derek Hagan surpassed John Jefferson's school record for career receptions.
Reach the reporter at hdweber@asu.edu and follow @HaydenWeber8 on Twitter.
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