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For the fourth time in five games, WSU was completely outlclassed by its opponent as Arizona State quickly turned this Halloween matchup into a laugher, cruising to a 55-21 victory Thursday night on ESPN.
WSU fans held out hope that ASU would be tentative in the Palouse cold, but the Sun Devils quickly showed this is not the same team that came up to Pullman two years ago to get ambushed by Connor Halliday. The Sun Devils were the ones who came out focused and ready to be physical as the Cougars dropped passes, missed tackles, and generally wilted in the national television spotlight.
The defense once again was a complete disaster, run over for 42 points in the first half. ASU finished with 557 yards and quarterback Taylor Kelly accounted for all seven of his team's touchdowns -- five passing and two rushing.
The offense wasn't any better, going three and out on six of its first seven possessions as the Cougars fell into a hole that effectively ended the game before halftime.
If there was a theme, it's that it was a night of worsts. The offensive line offensive line had perhaps its worst game of the season, as Halliday was under assault all night. The special teams was ineffective in the return game, Mike Bowlin was still terrible, and the punt defense gave up not one, but two fake punts.
Halliday finished with 300 yards on 29-of-54 passing with two touchdowns and an interception. The Cougars now have another bye before traveling to Arizona on Nov. 16.