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Arizona State defeats Northern Arizona 41-20

Sep 12, 2010 - 6:30 AM TEMPE, Ariz.(AP) -- Steven Threet passed for 391 yards and three touchdowns to lead Arizona State to a 41-20 win over FCS opponent Northern Arizona on Saturday night.

Threet's 45-yard pass to receiver Aaron Pflugrad was the turning point for Arizona State, which led only 27-20 before the play happened early in the fourth quarter. Three plays later, Threet found Mike Willie for a 6-yard touchdown pass.

Jamal Miles concluded the scoring with a 1-yard TD run for the Sun Devils (2-0), who compiled 450 yards of offense.

Willie had eight receptions for 114 yards.

Threet, an ex-Michigan quarterback who sat out last season due to NCAA transfer rules, set career highs in completions (33) and yards before being removed in the fourth quarter. He threw two interceptions but completed passes to eight different receivers.

Michael Herrick threw for 131 yards and a touchdown, and Matt Myers kicked two field goals for Northern Arizona (1-1).

The Sun Devils led 17-10 at halftime.

Threet found Miles for a 6-yard touchdown pass midway through the first quarter, then connected with receiver Kerry Taylor for a 17-yard score on the second play of the second quarter. It was Taylor's first touchdown since the 2008 season.

Lumberjacks linebacker Reid Worthington intercepted a Threet pass to set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Zach Bauman.

Arizona State committed 40 yards in penalties on one Northern Arizona possession, which culminated with Herrick's 35-yard scoring toss to Khalil Paden with 21 seconds left in the third quarter.

But the Sun Devils' defense pitched a shut out in the fourth quarter.

Arizona State had only 56 rushing yards, but Miles and tailback Cameron Marshall each scored both a rushing and receiving touchdown. Thomas Weber made both of his field goal attempts.