ASU notebook: Devils’ secondary passes test

SEATTLE - For much of Saturday’s contest, the Washington offense appeared to have taken plays straight from a Daryle Lamonica playbook, mad-bombing against Arizona State.

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However, ASU’s secondary was up to the test. Wide receivers D’Andre Goodwin (53 yards) and Jermaine Kearse (50 yards) made big plays, but the Sun Devils kept the damage to a minimum.

“We came into the game knowing that they were going to test us vertically,” safety Troy Nolan said. “I thought they would test the safeties more than the cornerbacks. They had some big catches, but we held our own out there.”

ASU’s biggest defensive play on Saturday was keyed by a cornerback.

In the third quarter, the Huskies did a double reverse in hopes of throwing a long ball, but Terell Carr did not bite on his coverage, and defensive end James Brooks sacked Ronnie Fouch at the 8-yard line.

That play sparked the second-half Sun Devil surge.

Coach Dennis Erickson knew that Washington would try to air it out.

Offensive coordinator Tim Lappano coached under Erickson for many years in college and the NFL.

“They weren’t running the ball well, so he was going to test us and throw it up,” Erickson said. “He believes in throwing it up there, where you will catch it or get pass interference, and he was right a couple of times.”

PUNT FAILURE

For the second time this season, ASU had a punt blocked.

The block, by Washington linebacker Chris Stevens, was similar in appearance to the one Georgia achieved on Sept. 20. Stevens came through the right side of the Sun Devils’ punt formation and stuffed Thomas Weber’s punt, setting up a field goal.

“We just frickin’ blew it,” Erickson said, clearly annoyed. “The snap probably was a little low. They brought their corner inside, and that is something we work on every day in practice. It should be an automatic thing, and the guy came in (unblocked).”

LOCAL RIVALRY

Washington cornerback Matt Mosley, a product of Tempe Corona del Sol High School, performed with purpose against ASU players he competed against before college.

While at Corona, Mosley, a sophomore, faced Sun Devil receivers Kerry Taylor and Gerell Robinson, graduates of Chandler Hamilton.

“I know a few of those guys on the team, so it was definitely personal,” said Mosley. “It was an emotional game, and I wanted some bragging rights going home. We did some jawing, but it was all in good fun. I’m going to be home for Christmas and will see those guys at church and other places.”

Mosley returned three kickoffs on Saturday, including one for 63 yards.