The Republic’s Logan Stanley and Michelle Gardner break down ASU’s win over NAU
Arizona State beat Northern Arizona 38-19, but it wasn’t the victory the Sun Devils’ players or fans wanted to see.
- Utah impressed with a dominant 43-10 victory over former Pac-12 rival UCLA.
- Several Big 12 teams struggled, including close wins for Kansas State and Central Florida against FCS opponents.
The Big 12 did little to change the narrative about the strength of the conference last week. Utah was the only school that defeated an opponent from another Power 4 school. Colorado, Baylor and Cincinnati all lost to top foes from a major conference.
ASU struggled for a half, while Kansas State and Central Florida struggled an entire game against FCS foes.
Here are The Republic’s latest Big 12 power rankings, which features some movement.
Last week: 1.
Defeated Northern Arizona 38-19: It wasn’t the prettiest of wins as the Sun Devils had 12 penalties for 93 yards, but QB Sam Leavitt threw for 279 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 73 yards and two more. Jordyn Tyson had 141 receiving yards on 12 catches, highlighted by a 19-yard, over-the-shoulder touchdown grab.
Next: at Mississippi State, Sept. 6.
2. Texas Tech (1-0)
Last week: 2.
Defeated Arkansas-Pine Bluff 67-7: Behren Morton threw for 201 yards and four touchdowns before leaving the game with an apparent lower leg injury after a sack in the second quarter, as the Red Raiders cruised past FCS Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The third and fourth quarters were shortened to eight minutes due to weather concerns.
Next: vs. Kent State, Sept. 6.
Last week: 3
Defeated South Dakota 55-7: Rocco Becht completed 19 of 20 passes for 278 yards and three touchdowns as the Cyclones cruised to a nonconference win. The 95% completion rate by Becht was a school record.
Next: vs. Iowa, Sept. 6.
4. Utah (1-0)
Last week: 6.
Defeated UCLA 43-10: In perhaps the most impressive win of the week, the Utes dominated their former Pac-12 foe. Utah led 20-0 early in the second quarter and never looked back, led by new QB Devon Dampier, a Scottsdale Saguaro High product, who threw for 206 yards and ran for another 87.
Next: vs. Cal Poly, Sept. 6.
5. Kansas State (1-1)
Last week: 4
Defeated North Dakota 38-35: The Wildcats got the winning points on a 6-yard touchdown pass from Avery Johnson to Joe Jackson with 42 seconds left. That marked the eighth and final lead change of the contest. Johnson threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns on the night.
Next: vs. Army, Sept. 6.
6. Baylor (0-1)
Last week: 5.
Lost to Auburn 38-24: Sawyer Robertson threw for 419 yards and three touchdowns, but the rushing game netted only 64 yards. All-conference preseason selection Bryson Washington managed just 54 yards.
Next: At SMU, Sept. 6.
7. BYU (1-0)
Last week: 7.
Defeated Portland State 69-0: The Cougars led 49-0 at the half, and the rout was on. True freshman Bear Bachmeier had little trouble in his first game as a starter. Before it was over, two others got playing time at quarterback.
Next: vs. Stanford, Sept. 6.
8. Kansas (2-0)
Last week: 8.
Defeated Wagner 46-7: Jalon Daniels threw for 290 yards and four touchdowns as the Jayhawks cruised for the second straight week, giving them their second win six weeks earlier than they got it last season. Emmanuel Hnderson had six catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns.
Next: at Missouri, Sept. 6.
9. TCU (0-0)
Last week: 9.
Plays at North Carolina on Sept. 1: The Horned Frogs are the last Big 12 team to take the field and will be doing so by traveling across the country to face North Carolina in Bill Belichick’s debut game there.
10. Houston (1-0)
Last week: 11
Defeated Stephen F. Austin 27-0: Texas A&M transfer Conner Weigman completed 15 of 24 passes for 159 yards and three touchdowns in his debut as the Cougars outgained the Lumberjacks 343-144 in total yardage. Houston was never challenged, leading 17-0 at the half.
Next: at Rice, Sept. 6.
11. Arizona (1-0)
Last week: 13
Defeated Hawaii 40-6: Quincy Craig caught seven passes for 125 yards as the Wildcats had no trouble with the Rainbow Warriors, who turned the ball over five times. Arizona racked up 346 yards and held Hawaii to 293.
Next: vs. Weber State, Sept. 6.
12. Colorado (0-1)
Last week: 10.
Lost to Georgia Tech 27-20: The Buffaloes gave up the winning score on a 45-yard run by quarterback Haynes King with 1:07 left. The loss came despite getting three takeaways on the night. QB Kaidon Salter was 17-for-28 for 158 yards in his Colorado debut.
Next: vs. Delaware, Sept. 6.
13. Cincinnati (0-1)
Last week: 12
Lost to Nebraska 20-17: The Bearcats were in position to tie the game with a field goal or go ahead, but Brendan Sorsby threw an interception with 34 seconds left that allowed the Cornhuskers to escape with a win.
Next: vs. Bowling Green.
14. Central Florida (1-0)
Last week: 14.
Defeated Jacksonville State 17-10: It wasn’t pretty, but the Knights survived, getting the decisive points on a 33-yard touchdown pass from Tayven Jackson to D.J. Black with 1:03 left in the contest. Jackson threw for 282 yards in his UCF debut.
15. Oklahoma State (1-0)
Last week: 15.
Defeated UT-Martin 27-7: The Cowboys won the game, which was a moral victory in itself after going winless in Big 12 play a year ago, but Oklahoma State did lose QB Hauss Hejny to a broken foot. Third-year quarterback Zane Flores took over for Hejny and appears to be the starter for the foreseeable future.Â
Next: at Oregon, Sept. 6.
16. West Virginia (1-0)
Last week: 16
Defeated Robert Morris 45-3: The second Rich Rodriguez era got off to a good start as junior QB Nicco Marchiol, a Chandler native who played for Hamilton, completed 17 of 20 passes for 224 yards. The Mountaineers finished with a total offense advantage of 625-134.
Next: at Ohio, Sept. 6.
