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ASU tries to keep perfect record under Erickson

Oct 6, 2007 - 10:45 AM No. 18 Arizona St (5-0) at Washington St (2-3) 4:00 pm EDT

PULLMAN, Washington (Ticker) -- Nearly halfway through its inaugural campaign under Dennis Erickson, Arizona State still has not tasted defeat. The 18th-ranked Sun Devils look to remain perfect under their new coach when they visit Washington State on Saturday for a Pac-10 Conference contest.

Two weeks ago, Arizona State (5-0, 2-0 Pac-10) roared back from a 19-0 first-quarter deficit to beat Oregon State - one of Erickson's former teams - 44-32. The Sun Devils continued that momentum at Stanford last week, crushing the Cardinal, 41-3.

Rudy Carpenter completed 20-of-27 passes for 259 yards, a touchdown and an interception for the Sun Devils, who scored the first 21 points and cruised thereafter.

Erickson also coached at Washington State, going 3-7-1 in 1987 and 9-2 in 1988 before heading to Miami, where he won two national championships.

Washington State (2-3, 0-2) has been outscored by a combined 95-34 in road losses to Southern California and Arizona to begin Pac-10 play.

In last week's 48-20 loss to the Wildcats, Alex Brink threw for 347 yards, three TDs and an interception, but the Cougars surrendered five TD tosses to Willie Tuitama.

Arizona State posted a 47-14 win in Tempe last year, its third straight victory in the series.