ASU football returns from its off week to host No. 24 Stanford at Sun Devil Stadium on Thursday night. Check back for live updates, scores and notes throughout the game.

Halftime thoughts

By Greg Moore

Manny Wilkins is erratic. Brandon Ruiz is automatic. And Arizona State remains enigmatic.

The Sun Devils’ young defense seems to have taken a step toward the maturity coach Herm Edwards has been calling for, forcing Stanford into four consecutive punts.

But these doggone fluke plays never seem to go ASU’s way.

Midway through the second quarter, Manny Wilkins was flushed from the pocket. He ran out of bounds, where he was hit and landed on by Cardinal defensive end Jovan Swann.

Swann wasn’t penalized.

Wilkins took several seconds to get up, and when he did it was clear that he was hurt. He appeared to be favoring his hand.

Wilkins stayed in the game, but on the next play, he lost a fumble despite minimal contact.

It was the latest of several controversial plays to go against ASU, and it created all the momentum Stanford would need for its first score, a field goal that tied the game at 3-3.

ASU eventually has to overcome these sorts of setbacks or the missed opportunities will add up to missing an invitation to a bowl game.

Wilkins struggled with his accuracy even before the sideline hit. Missing N’Keal Harry and Tommy Hudson on plays that should have gone for big gains.

But he threw a pinpoint deep pass to Brandon Aiyuk for a 51-yard gain that set up ASU’s first score.

Kicker Brandon Ruiz hit a 34-yard field goal for ASU’s only score. He’s 6 for 7 on field goals this season.

ASU opened up its famously conservative play calling, but it didn’t yield much. Harry threw an interception on a reverse late in the second quarter.

The defense corralled preseason Heisman contender Bryce Love, who has battled injuries and had a subpar year.

Love had just 13 yards at halftime after torching ASU for more than 300 last season.

Halftime: Stanford 6, ASU 3

After an ASU trick play gone wrong, Stanford took the lead with a 12-play, 76-yard drive to end the half.

Stanford kicker Jet Toner made a 31-yard field goal for a 6-3 lead heading into the half.

ASU’s offense drive prior to that stalled in Stanford territory when a trick play resulted in receiver N’Keal Harry throwing an interception on a pass intended for Kyle Williams.

The Sun Devils’ possession was aided by a 29-yard catch and run by running back Eno Benjamin, who hasn’t had much room to run on the ground tonight.

Stanford on the board

With the help of two defensive pass-interference penalties, Stanford drove to ASU’s 3-yard line before the Cardinal were stopped and forced to kick a field goal.

Stanford kicker Jet Toner’s 21-yard attempt was good, and we’re tied at 3 with 3:40 left before halftime.

READ MORE

Hit and fumble

A play after a late hit out of bounds by Stanford’s Jovan Swann went uncalled and shook up ASU quarterback Manny Wilkins, Wilkins fumbled on a keeper up the middle to give the Cardinal the ball at its 34.

The turnover was only ASU’s third of the season.

1Q: ASU 3, Stanford 0

ASU kicker Brandon Ruiz punctuated ASU’s third drive with a field goal for a 3-0 ASU lead with 0:27 remaining in the first.

After missing a wide-open Tommy Hudson down the right-middle of the field early in the drive in ASU territory, quarterback Manny Wilkins connected with receiver Brandon Aiyuk for a 51-yard catch and run to put the Sun Devils in the red zone.

ASU’s drive lasted eight plays, 66 yards and 1:57.

At the end of the first quarter, ASU leads Stanford 3-0. This was the fifth time this season ASU has held its opponent scoreless in the first quarter. The Sun Devils did it four times last year.

A first for everything

Breaking: Stanford gained a first down!

On their third possession, the Cardinal actually gained three (!) first downs, but ASU’s defense held on the drive’s third third down.

Stanford was rotating running backs Bryce Love and Trevor Speights every couple plays, most likely an indication that Love isn’t as healthy as he could be.

ASU will start its third drive at its 18 with 2:24 left in the first.

D-FENCE

ASU and Stanford have both gone three and out twice in a row to start this one.

Notably, in Stanford’s second possession, running back Trevor Speights was in instead of Bryce Love. Love, however, is back out there for their third drive.

Also, ASU punt returner Brandon Aiyuk may not be the punt returner for much longer. He bobbled and fumbled his second return chance, but was able to fall on top of it.

Three and out(s)

Stanford star running back Bryce Love ran the ball twice to start the Cardinal’s first possession, following receiving the kick to open the game.

Love lost 3 yards on his first rush and then gained 4 the next play. On third down, quarterback K.J. Costello completed a pass to JJ Arcega-Whiteside who was gang-tackled after gaining 7 yards.

ASU didn’t do much with the ball when it got its chance.

Quarterback Manny Wilkins sandwiched a 2-yard rush by Eno Benjamin with passes to receiver N’Keal Harry, but the Sun Devils came up 6 yards short before punting back to Stanford.

Football! On Thursdays!

Preview and prediction

By Jeff Metcalfe

We know Stanford can beat Arizona State with a healthy Bryce Love.

A year ago, Love had touchdown runs of 61, 59 and 43 yards and totaled a school record 301 yards (averaging 12 yards per carry) in Stanford’s 34-24 win over ASU.

But Love was questionable heading into tonight due to an ankle injury that has derailed his senior season. He will start, but starting guard Nate Herbig might be out for the Cardinal, already a lowly No. 126 nationally in rushing offense.

So the pertinent question becomes whether Stanford can beat ASU without a completely healthy Love?

Cardinal quarterback K.J. Costello has tall targets in wide receivers JJ Arcega-Whiteside and Trenton Irwin and tight ends Kaden Smith and Colby Parkinson that could be trouble for ASU defensive backs, similar to what happened vs. Colorado’s Laviska Shenault.

Then there’s the vow from ASU cornerback Chase Lucas not to allow a repeat of completions against him that he believes cost the Sun Devils a win over the Buffs.

At home against Utah without Love on Oct. 6, Stanford fell behind early then got back within a touchdown only to lose 40-21.

Even if ASU opens up its offense more than in the three previous games, 40 points would be a stretch. But if Love is not completely healthy, I can see a way to a win for the Sun Devils, who will need at least one upset in the second half of the season to qualify for a bowl.

I mildly like the chances of that happening: ASU 31, Stanford 24.

Bryce Love is in

Stanford star running back Bryce Love will play tonight against ASU, according to Stanford.

Love ran for 307 yards last season in a win against the Sun Devils. He has played hurt much of the season and left Stanford’s game against Notre Dame after further injuring the ankle. He did not play in a 41-20 loss to Utah the following week but had an off week to rest.

The Sun Devils, who have lost five of the past six meetings against the Cardinal, are preparing to defend a healthy Love who has already has earned praise from the opposition.

PREGAME READING

Thursday’s game

Stanford at ASU

When: 6 p.m.

Where: Sun Devil Stadium.

TV: ESPN.