Brad Cesmat
Former Chandler High school star Markus Wheaton would catch two touchdown passes helping #13 Oregon State overcome a 14-3 first quarter deficit and knock off Arizona State 36-26 in front of a sold out crowd of 45,979 in Corvallis, Oregon.
It was the third consecutive loss for the Sun Devils, who dropped to 5-4 on the season and 3-3 in Pac-12 Conference play.
“We got our butt whooped”, Sun Devil head coach Todd Graham said after the loss.
The Beavers took the lead for the first time in the game at 11:29 mark of the third quarter when quarterback Cody Vaz went up top to Marcus Wheaton for a 19-yard touchdown, making the score 26-19 Oregon State.
ASUs’ defense would be buoyed by the return of All-American candidate Will Sutton, but it would not be enough.
“How he played and the way he played tonight, he was a warrior, I am very proud of him” Graham said.
The Devils secondary was shredded for three touchdowns by Oregon State of over 50 yards and surrendered over 400 yards to the Beavers on the night.
Sutton made his presence felt on the very first series. Crushing Vaz near the Beavers own end zone. Vaz lost the ball and Junior Onyeali scooped it up for touchdown to give ASU a 7-0 lead :21 seconds into the game.
But the defense would give up two scoring plays of 50 yards or longer and at the half, the Sun Devils would be tied with the Beavers at 19.
Arizona State travels to USC next Saturday.
