Arizona State Football: 3 takeaways from win over Kent State in Week 1

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TEMPE, ARIZONA – AUGUST 29: Running back Eno Benjamin #3 of the Arizona State Sun Devils rushes the football against safety Elvis Hines #8 of the Kent State Golden Flashes during the first half of the NCAAF game at Sun Devil Stadium on August 29, 2019 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

2. Lack of run success was concerning

Arizona State didn’t have a problem toting the rock a year ago. Eno Benjamin led the way with over 1,600 yards and looked like one of the best backs in the entire country but he got off to a slow start against a mediocre Kent State defense.

Kent State actually had the No. 114 run defense in the country last season, surrendering about 220 yards per game on the ground but the Sun Devils finished with 171 on 46 carries — that’s just 3.7 yards per touch. That was against a MAC team that finished 2-10 last year, just imagine how much struggle the Sun Devils could have in a couple weeks against Michigan State.

Benjamin broke the 100-yard mark late in the fourth quarter, totaling 102 yards on 22 carries with a long of just 17 and he didn’t reach the end zone.

Concerning? Slightly, but it’s the first game of the season and Arizona State has plenty of room to improve. But the offensive line should have manhandled Kent State and that didn’t happen. It’s more so a head-scratcher than anything else at this point.

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