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Mack’s 154-yard night helps Arizona State rebound against Hawaii

Freshman Cardae Mack scored twice as Arizona State beat Hawaii 30-12 in Tempe, a week after a lopsided loss to Baylor. The Sun Devils tightened their defense and handed play-calling duties back to offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo.

Mack’s 154-yard night helps Arizona State rebound against Hawaii
TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona State answered last week’s 55-19 home loss to Baylor with a 30-12 win over Hawaii on Saturday night, powered by freshman running back Cardae Mack’s 154 yards and two touchdowns. Mack scored on a 2-yard run in the second quarter, then broke loose for a 67-yard touchdown late in the third to put the Sun Devils ahead 24-6. His rushing total was the most by an Arizona State freshman since 2005. “We just had to get back in our groove and find ourselves,” Mack said. “The only people that can stop us is us.” Quarterback Cutter Boley completed 21 of 31 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns, both to Reed Harris. Harris caught an 18-yard score on Arizona State’s opening drive and a 9-yard touchdown late in the game. The Sun Devils (3-2) also made a change after the Baylor defeat: coach Kenny Dillingham returned offensive play-calling duties to coordinator Marcus Arroyo after handling them himself for the first five games. Arizona State led 17-6 at halftime after Mack’s first touchdown and Carson Smith’s 47-yard field goal. Hawaii (1-5) had two first-half scoring drives end in Sean Olvera-Harle field goals. The Rainbow Warriors’ best early opportunity came after they blocked a punt and reached first-and-goal at the 2-yard line, but Arizona State’s defense forced two sacks before Olvera-Harle missed a 51-yard field-goal attempt. Hawaii quarterback Micah Alejado threw for 252 yards and connected with Audric Harris for a 32-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter. The Rainbow Warriors later reached Arizona State’s 21-yard line, aided by three 15-yard penalties against the Sun Devils, but turned the ball over on downs. Dillingham said Arizona State’s defenders were more disciplined than they had been against Baylor. “We had people on people,” he said. “I know that sounds boring and fundamental, but that wasn't always the case last week.” Linebacker Martell Hughes said the team’s energy and attention to detail helped it recover from the previous week’s defeat. The win lifted Arizona State to 3-2, while Hawaii fell to 1-5.

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