It was supposed to be a neutral site game, but it sure didn't feel like it. The #15 Arizona State Sun Devils fell prey to a revamped Texas A&M Aggies defense at Houston's NRG Stadium along with a rabid pro-Aggies crowd, ultimately falling 38-17 in a frustrating game for the projected Pac-12 South powers.
A&M streaked out to a 14-0 lead 17 minutes to game on the strength of a nine-yard Kyle Allen/Tra Carson 9-yard TD connection and a blistering 79-yard punt return for a touchdown by freshman speedster Christian Kirk early in the 2nd quarter.
Arizona State would close the gap to 17-14 by the late 3rd quarter on the back of a TD run and TD pass by Mike Bercovici. Texas A&M would answer though with QB Kyle Allen's 12-yard scamper for a touchdown, breaking through a gassed Arizona State defense that had to continuously save the offense as it went dormant for long stretches.
Down 24-14, Bercovici would drive ASU into the red zone with just over five minutes left. However, the drive would stall and Arizona State would be forced to settle for a field goal. However, first-year wunderkind (and Scottsdale, Arizona native) Christian Kirk once again made his presence known, breaking off a screen for a winding 66-yard touchdown catch to basically seal the game for the Aggies.
Christian Kirk 79 yards to the HOUSE. pic.twitter.com/jrlx8EZTSK
— TexAgs (@TexAgs) September 6, 2015
A&M's Tra Carson would run it in for an exclamation point, finishing off ASU with a resounding statement.
The Sun Devils are left to regroup for what should be a home gimme against Cal Poly on Saturday. Texas A&M heads home for a date with Ball State.
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