Benton, in Second Start, Leads Arizona State, 39-5

Grady Benton directed scoring drives on Arizona State’s last possession of the first half and first possession of the second half, and the Sun Devils blocked two punts in a 39-5 nonconference victory over Pacific on Saturday night.

Benton passed four yards to Bob Brasher with 43 seconds left in the second quarter to complete a drive that produced a 22-5 lead at halftime. Benton added a touchdown on a one-yard sneak midway through the third quarter.

Benton, a redshirt freshman making his second start, completed his first five passes, had nine completions in a row at one point and finished with 19 of 24 for 265 yards and one touchdown with one interception.

Jerone Davison gained 136 yards in 22 carries and scored on runs of 10 yards and one yard.

The Sun Devils (2-3) also scored on a 31-yard run by George Montgomery, a safety, and Mike Richey’s 26-yard field goal.

Pacific (1-5) scored on a 48-yard field goal by Eddie Ausherman and picked up two points in the second quarter when defensive back Darius Cunnigan intercepted Benton’s conversion attempt and returned it for two points.

The Sun Devils, who lost tailback Mario Bates to a knee injury two weeks ago, may have lost their No. 2 rusher, Montgomery, who suffered a knee injury in the first half.