Jaren Hamilton gave Arizona State the kind of jolt that changes a game in a single breath.
His 100-yard kickoff return to start the second half sent the Sun Devils on their way to a 24-17 win over Kansas on Saturday at Wembley Stadium, where the inaugural Union Jack Classic unfolded with special teams, turnovers and one massive return from a man nicknamed “Turbo.”
Hamilton burst down the sideline after slipping past several tacklers, turning the opening kickoff of the third quarter into a score and a 17-7 Arizona State lead. From there, the Sun Devils (2-1) had just enough answers to hold off the Jayhawks (1-2).
Arizona State also got a big defensive moment from Hyrum Vaeono, who scooped up a fumble and rumbled 77 yards late in the fourth quarter. The 305-pound lineman was stopped at the Kansas 2-yard-line, and two tush pushes later, quarterback Cutter Boley got across the line.
The Sun Devils had already taken a 10-7 edge into halftime after capitalizing on a short Kansas punt from Matthew Gill. Gill, punting from his own end zone with :25 seconds left in the half, sent it out of bounds at the Kansas 25. Arizona State needed only one play from there, as Boley fired a dart to Reed Harris for the go-ahead touchdown.
Kansas had briefly swung the game its way in the second quarter. On a 72-yard punt return, Nagy turned a tight corner behind a wall of Sun Devils to score and put the Jayhawks up 7-3. It marked the second straight week Kansas scored on special teams.
But the Jayhawks kept handing Arizona State extra chances. Kansas committed three turnovers in the loss, including a Yasin Willis fumble early in the second quarter that ended one of its best opening drives. Another fumble helped set up an ASU touchdown.
Kansas still had chances to answer after falling behind 17-7. The Jayhawks went for it on fourth-and-1 from the Arizona State 38, but Micah Johnson was stopped without a gain. Later in the third quarter, on fourth-and-2, Kansas sent out Martin Connington, who missed a 44-yard field goal attempt.
Isaiah Marshall’s numbers reflected a rougher night after last week’s struggles against Missouri. He finished 17 of 33 for 235 yards and a late touchdown after an interception in the fourth quarter. He also ran 13 times for 52 yards.
Arizona State’s passing game was efficient, but not explosive. Boley went 11 of 23 for 95 yards, with one touchdown and no interceptions. Harris caught four passes for 48 yards, while Omarion Miller finished with three receptions for 18 yards.
Both teams are off next week and return Oct. 3 with home games. Arizona State hosts Big 12 rival Baylor, while Kansas welcomes Middle Tennessee.
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