Sun Devils, Errors Beat the Cougars

Three straight close victories have made an old man of Arizona State’s rookie coach, John Cooper.

The Sun Devils nearly lost a three-touchdown lead Saturday, but held on for a 21-16 victory over Washington State.

“I aged 10 years during this one,” Cooper said. “It would have been nice if we could have scored some more points early, but we missed some chances because of turnovers in the first half.”

Arizona State took a 21-0 lead on two touchdown passes by quarterback Jeff Van Raaphorst and a score by tailback Mike Crawford, who gained 101 yards.

The Sun Devils dodged a bullet in the final quarter when Van Raaphorst turned to pitch to the tailback, who had not gotten onto the field, leaving the Sun Devils with only 10 players. The ball bounced off fullback Vince Amoia, and Washington State recovered at the Arizona State four-yard-line. But the Cougars had 12 players on the field, and Arizona State got the ball back and a first down.

Four plays later, the Cougars were called for roughing the punter and were assessed a timeout as Coach Jim Walden continued to argue with the officials.

“Sometimes I think it’s easier to get blown away, because then there are not nearly as many questions, not nearly as many ‘what ifs,’ ” Walden said.