Sun Devils sizzle to 4-0 record by bouncing OSU

TEMPE, Ariz. – Jamar Williams intercepted two passes and Jordan Hill recovered two fumbles in 22nd-ranked Arizona State’s 27-14 victory over mistake-prone Oregon State on Saturday night in the Pacific-10 Conference opener for both teams.

The Sun Devils’ Emmanuel Franklin saved an OSU touchdown by knocking the ball loose from Joe Newton, recovering the ball for a touchback — a play that turned around the game late in the first half.

Hakim Hill, playing with a broken bone in his right forearm, scored on a 3-yard run and Andrew Walter threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Zach Miller for the Sun Devils (4-0), off to their best start since going 11-0 in the 1996 regular season.

Terry Richardson scored on a 12-yard reverse to help send the Beavers (1-3) to their 16th consecutive loss at Tempe. ASU’s Jesse Ainsworth kicked field goals of 33 and 45 yards.

Two of the Pac-10’s top passers had a rough night. Walter was 16 for 40 for 124 yards but was not intercepted. OSU’s Derek Anderson was 29 for 53 for 384 yards but was intercepted twice. He also fumbled away the ball twice, accounting for four of the Beavers’ five turnovers.

ASU had no turnovers.

Mike Hass caught 14 passes for 172 yards for OSU, which had minus-14 yards rushing.

The Sun Devils scored 10 points in a 26-second span to go up 17-7 at the break.

Ainsworth’s 33-yard field goal put ASU up 10-7 with 2:01 left in the half.

After the kickoff, Anderson botched a handoff to Dwight Wright, and Jordan Hill recovered at the OSU 12. On the next play, Richardson scored on a reverse and it was 17-7 with 1:35 to go in the half.

The Sun Devils were without starting running back Loren Wade, who has been suspended from the team indefinitely for a violation of team rules.