ASU downs Washington
Steven Threet passed for 288 yards and two touchdowns Saturday night as Arizona State defeated Washington 24-14.
Threet fought through heavy rains most for the night to complete passes to nine different receivers in ending the Sun Devils' three-game skid.
The Sun Devils (3-3, 1-2 Pac-10) dropped six passes in the first half in the downpour, but Threet still managed to throw for more than 200 yards and two touchdowns before the intermission.
Threet, who had thrown seven interceptions in his last two games, was intercepted midway through the fourth quarter by Cort Dennison. It was Threet's only turnover on Saturday.
The Huskies (2-3, 1-1) went three-and-out and Arizona State capitalized with a 53-yard drive that set up a 23-yard field goal by Thomas Weber to give the Sun Devils a 10-point cushion.
Washington failed to convert on fourth-and-12 with just over six minutes to play to give the ball back to Arizona State and effectively ended the Huskies' chances.
Jake Locker's final pass intended for Jordan Polk was intercepted by Omar Bolden in the end zone to seal the victory for Arizona State.
Threet led the Sun Devils on a 14-play, 92-yard drive for the game's first touchdown. Arizona State converted four third downs on the drive that culminated in a 3-yard pass from Threet to Gerell Robinson for a 7-0 lead.
A 51-yard kickoff return by Jesse Callier gave the Huskies great field position at the ASU 41. Locker eventually scored from 2 yards out to tie the game. The Sun Devils quickly regained the lead, going 67 yards in six plays with Threet scoring from a yard out to make it 14-7.
Vontaze Burfict sat out the entire first quarter after being benched by the Arizona State coaching staff for reckless play against Oregon State last week.
Behind Burfict, the Sun Devils' defense rose up to stop a promising Washington drive into ASU territory. Jamaar Jarrett sacked Locker for a 3-yard loss to force fourth-and-18 from the Arizona State 31.
The Huskies ran a fake field goal with holder Cody Bruns trying to run around the left side, but was stopped for no gain.
Washington faced another fourth down late in the first half, but a Locker pass sailed through the hands of Jermaine Kearse to give the ball back to the Sun Devils.
Arizona State wasted little time in taking advantage. The Sun Devils went 65 yards in just 42 seconds to add another touchdown before the half as Threet connected with Mike Willie for a 20-yard touchdown to give Arizona State a 21-7 halftime lead.
Gregory Christine started at left guard for Washington in place of Erik Kohler, who was ill. Christine picked up his second holding penalty of the game on the Huskies' opening drive of the second half to stall a drive. Erik Folk, the hero of last week's victory at Southern California, missed a 47-yard field goal wide right.
Washington finally capitalized with Locker connecting with D'Andre Goodwin for a 15-yard touchdown to pull within 21-14.