Arizona State Football: Sun Devils edge UCLA in the desert

1. Wilton Speight is nothing more than a game manager

There weren’t many that projected UCLA as the eventual destination for former Michigan quarterback Wilton Speight when he announced his decision to transfer. Chip Kelley’s offense didn’t seem to be a fit for Speight’s experience in Jim Harbaugh‘s pro-style system. A few games into the experiment and the fit is still a work in progress.

Speight had thrown three touchdown passes and three interceptions entering Saturday’s game against Arizona State. His 55.8 completion percentage at UCLA is puts him squarely in the below-average tier of college football passers. He’s not going to win many games for UCLA this year, but he isn’t losing them either.

The full spectrum of Speight was on display against Arizona State. He completed 20-of-25 passes for 268 yards, one touchdown and one red zone interception. He methodically moved the ball down the field, setting up his playmakers to do the rest.

The performance was decidedly adequate. That’s not something Kelly will be content with down the road, but it will have to do in a tumultuous year one in Westwood.