http://www.noblebrown.com/images/asu2.jpg
Sun Devils torch Miners SUN DEVILS 41 MINERS 9
Matthew Aguilar
El Paso Times <table align="right" bgcolor="#ffffcc" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5" width="181"> <tbody><tr> <td>http://www.borderlandnews.com/stories/sports/todaysstories/20040903-164170-88993.JPEG</td> </tr> <tr> <td> Photos by Ruben R. Ramirez / El Paso Times
UTEP quarterback Jordan Palmer, second from right, was sandwiched by Arizona State's Justin Burks, second from left, and Dale Robertson, right, during first-quarter action Thursday in Tempe, Ariz. Palmer had four costly interceptions in UTEP's loss.
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ASU safety Emmanuel Franklin stretches out and intercepts a Jordan Palmer pass intended for Jonas Crafts, left.
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</td></tr></tbody></table> TEMPE, Ariz. -- Thursday was the start of the Mike Price era, and it wasn't much different than opening games of a bleak UTEP past.
Arizona State took advantage of early UTEP miscues -- specifically three first-half interceptions by sophomore quarterback Jordan Palmer -- and played smart, efficient football the rest of the way to hammer the Miners 41-9 at Sun Devil Stadium.
It also was an offensive display by the Arizona State offense, led by senior quarterback Andrew Walter. Whether it was long, time-consuming drives or quick hits, Walter was a master under center and showed why he is considered one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. He played through the end of the third quarter and finished 18 of 37 for 241 yards and three touchdowns.
UTEP got a taste of Walter's prowess right from the beginning. On the Sun Devils' opening possession, Walter engineered a 14- play, 72-yard drive that took up five minutes and ended on a Jesse Ainsworth 22-yard field goal.
From there, the Miners played well, holding the Sun Devils off for another two drives with a scrappy defense that included big hits and an improved scheme. But it was just a matter of time before Arizona State and Walter revved up their engine.
Walter went to work again, hitting junior receiver Matt Miller on an 18-yard strike. A play later, sophomore Terry Richardson caught a perfect Walter pass for its first touchdown to make the score 10-0.
At that point, the game still was up for grabs and UTEP still was within striking distance of an upset.
Then the season opener of 2004 took the look of the season opener of 2003 -- and all of 2003.
Twice Palmer was intercepted by senior safety Emmanuel Franklln. After the first one, Franklin rambled 38 yards to the Miner 30-yard line. It led to a Walter-to-Brent Miller touchdown that made the score 17-0.
Franklin came up big again on the very next UTEP drive, as Palmer, who finished with four interceptions, forced another pass after being heavily pressured by the Sun Devil defense. This time, Franklin scored on a 38-yard ramble to paydirt. Arizona State led 24-0 early in the second quarter.
The third Palmer pick also came in the second quarter -- and wasn't only Palmer's fault. His pass was deflected, and intercepted by Quency Darley, a defensive lineman.
Palmer's numbers at the end of the third quarter: 17-of-32 for 145 yards.
Arizona State, however, did not score on the ensuing drive.
UTEP made an offensive peep in the second quarter, as Palmer came right back on a 37-yard touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Johnnie Lee Higgins. But the good feelings quickly dissipated when sophomore kicker Reagan Schneider missed the extra point, making the score 24-6.
From there it was the Walter and Derek Hagan show. Hagan, the junior receiver for Arizona State, made life miserable for the UTEP secondary. He finished with 119 yards on eight receptions with a score.
The good news is that UTEP never quit -- something that seemed to happen time and again last year. The offense kept throwing, kept trying. The defense never stopped hitting. The special teams continued to do as good as it could do.
Simply, the Miners were faced with a pretty decent Pac-10 team in the first game of the Mike Price era.
Stats at the end of the third quarter: tailback Howard Jackson, 16-58, TD; Marcus Thomas, 2-19; receiver Chris Marrow, five catches, 33 yards; punter Bryce Benekos, seven punts for an average of 45.7 yards.
Photo gallery of the UTEP @ Arizona game (http://www.borderlandnews.com/stories/sports/todaysstories/20040903-164170.shtml#)
GAME BREAKDOWN
Following are the key plays by quarter in UTEP's season opener against the Arizona State Sun Devils:
1st Arizona State Sun Devil placekicker Jesse Ainsworth kicks a 22-yard field goal. 3-0 ASU.
2nd Sun Devil quarterback Andrew Walter hits wide receiver Terry Richardson for a 34-yard TD pass. 10-0 ASU. Walter connects with Sun Devil tight end Brent Miller on 2-yard TD. 17-0 ASU. Emmanuel Franklin intercepts a Jordan Palmer pass and returns it 54 yards for a TD. 24-0, ASU. UTEP senior tailback Howard Jackson runs 12 yards for a touchdown. Kick fails. 24-6 ASU.
3rd Ainsworth kicks a career-long 48-yard field goal. 27-6 ASU. Sun Devil receiver Derek Hagan hauls in 25-yard TD pass from Walter. 34-6 ASU.
4th Quarterback Sam Keller throws a 68-yard TD pass to wide receiver Rudy Burgess. 41-6 ASU. UTEP placekicker Reagan Schneider hits a 34-yard field. 41-9 ASU.