Carpenter, Sun Devils impressive 

Doug Haller - Aug. 30, 2008 11:58 PM  The Arizona Republic

As far as openers go, Arizona State was in a no-win situation Saturday night. The No. 15 Sun Devils were expected to win big, turning Northern Arizona into a non-conference appetizer before Week 2's contest against Stanford. They pulled it off (yawn) yet still were impressive.

Behind an effective offensive line, Rudy Carpenter showed maturity and precision, throwing for 388 yards and a touchdown as the Sun Devils rolled 30-13 in front of 62,707 fans, most reacting as if they had expected as much Not that there's anything wrong with such behavior. In previous stops, ASU coach Dennis Erickson had gone 38-9 during his second season, leading to a preseason hunch that something special might be in store this year.

That's a story line that will play out this fall after meetings with Georgia, California, Southern California and Oregon, but for one week, ASU fans can relax. All is well in Tempe.  "Our theme all week was to come out and play well early against them, and we did," Erickson said. "Our first groups came out and played good. I thought Rudy threw the football extremely well."  

Carpenter threw his first touchdown pass five plays after the opening kickoff, hitting Kerry Taylor for a 52-yard catch-and-run play. It was a highlight that will be replayed all weekend, simply because it showcased ASU's big-play potential.

But it was not the story of Carpenter's night, nor ASU's. The senior quarterback made the right reads and decisions against an overwhelmed NAU defense. He avoided sacks and seldom missed, at one point completing 13 consecutive passes, tying a school-record set in 1952 - about six years before Sun Devil Stadium opened.  

In his 32nd consecutive start, Carpenter completed 22 of 28 passes to eight receivers, including Chris McGaha, who missed most of camp with a toe injury. Senior Michael Jones caught six passes for 162 yards, leaping over NAU's cornerbacks on one play, running past them the next.

Jones missed a touchdown early in the second half, losing the ball after lunging into the end zone to try and cap a 52-yard catch and run. NAU recovered for a touchback, resulting in ASU's only turnover.  But those are just details. ASU's defense gave the offense plenty of room for error.

NAU, of the Big Sky Conference and Football Championship Subdivision, tried to spread the Sun Devils to take advantage of space, but quarterbacks Lance Kriesien and Michael Herrick had little time in which to throw, and tailback Alex Henderson few holes through which to run.

The Lumberjacks had just five first downs and 98 yards in the first half as ASU built a 27-0 lead. The margin allowed Erickson to use his depth, which included contributions from all classes. Freshmen Lawrence Guy, Clint Floyd, Josh Jordan, Brandon Magee and Shelly Lyons all played in the first quarter. By game's end, eight true freshmen saw action.

ASU played without starting tailback Keegan Herring, out with hamstring issues. In his absence, Carpenter led the Sun Devils with 40 rushing yards. Dimitri Nance contributed 30 and two touchdowns. Overall, ASU collected 481 yards behind an offensive line that has something to prove after last season's group allowed a school-record 55 sacks.

Against NAU, the line allowed just a single sack, because of a mental error, Erickson said, not a physical mistake. "They protected pretty well," Carpenter said of the front. "For the most part, I had a lot of time to sit back there and read coverage and make some plays."

Robbie Dehaze broke up ASU's shutout bid with a 21-yard field goal midway through the third quarter. Kriesien threw a 3-yard scoring pass to Brian Riley early in the fourth, pulling NAU to within 30-10, momentum that came too late.  ASU wasn't perfect: Nance fumbled, but guard Shawn Lauvao recovered. Kyle Williams muffed a punt but fell on it. The second-team defense relaxed, failing to preserve a 30-3 lead. But for the most part, for one night, that's just nitpicking.

Injury report

Senior safety Angelo Fobbs-Valentino was hurt on a punt return and had to be helped off the field. Senior tailback Keegan Herring didn't play with a hamstring injury.