Kicking Game Betrays Arizona State in Loss to USC

The point after touchdown may be the most boring play in football. It is often ignored, because 99 percent of the time it is irrelevant.

More often than not, when a team scores a touchdown we add seven points to the score.

However, last Saturday’s games against USC showed Arizona State Sun Devil fans exactly why extra points and special teams are important.

A missed field goal and blocked extra point helped USC (6-3, 3-3 Pac-10) escape with a 34-33 victory over ASU (4-5, 2-4 Pac-10).

When Steven Threet connected with Jamal Miles for a go-ahead touchdown, the Sun Devils looked to be in good shape, until the extra point was blocked and returned for a USC two-point conversion. A game that Arizona State should have led 34-30 was suddenly a 33-31 game in which the Trojans could win with a field goal rather than a touchdown.

The Trojans got that necessary field goal, but ASU did made an attempt at a comeback. The Sun Devils drove into Trojan territory, but former Lou Groza Award-winning kicker Thomas Weber was wide left from 42 yards out.

The missed field goal can just be added to the long list of struggles that have occurred for the Sun Devil kicker since he won that award.

While the special-teams plays stand out, ASU also lost because they were unable to capitalize on offense.

After a quick score on the opening drive of the game, the Arizona State offense was nowhere to be found for the remainder of the first half.

Dennis Erickson admitted this was one of toughest losses he has ever had as a coach and also said he considered going for the two-point conversion, but was talked out of it before the blocked point-after.

On the bright side, ASU played a complete game and limited themselves to only four penalties.

It was a game the Sun Devils should have won and desperately needed. This loss means ASU needs to win all of their remaining games to qualify for a bowl.

While it is possible, it is highly unlikely for the Sun Devils will go 3-0 against Stanford, UCLA and Arizona.