Arizona State Football: 3 takeaways from Sun Bowl win over Florida State

TEMPE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 30: Quarterback Jayden Daniels #5 of the Arizona State Sun Devils celebrates on the field following the NCAAF game against the Arizona Wildcats at Sun Devil Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Wildcats 24-14. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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TEMPE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 30: Quarterback Khalil Tate #14 of the Arizona Wildcats scrambles with the football under pressure from defensive back Evan Fields #4 of the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first half of the NCAAF game at Sun Devil Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

2. Defense came up clutch

When Arizona State needed stops, it got them. In the second half, Florida State mounted a comeback to take a 14-9 lead in the third quarter, but the defense didn’t crumble when it could have. In fact, it stepped up to make life tough on James Blackman.

The defense was stepping up all afternoon long when the offense couldn’t put points on the board. Willie Harts recorded a pick-six to give the Sun Devils the lead back in the fourth quarter 18-14 and then a two-point conversion made it 20-14.

Arizona State’s defense has been solid all year long, but no one could have guessed it’s what would save the day against Florida State in the Sun Bowl.

The Sun Devils looked to need one final defensive stand in the final minutes with Florida State down by six and driving and they forced a fumble, making it a turnover-filled second half for the Seminoles and each one of them hurt.

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