ASU loses against Eastern Michigan 30-21.

Arizona State Sun Devils #2 Elijhah Badger (WR) making a diving catch. Photo by Jared Dubose/TGSportstv1.

TEMPE, AZ - Three Eastern Michigan players unfurled a black flag with a Mid-American Conference emblem and pirate-style crossbones in the closing seconds on Saturday night. As the three ran onto the field, they turned to show it to the green-clad fans in the northeast corner of Sun Devil Stadium who had just watched the Eagles beat Arizona State from start to finish.

It's one thing to lose as a 20.5-point home favorite. To do so as ASU did on Saturday night is another. In their 30-21 victory against the Sun Devils, the Eastern Michigan Eagles ran for 305 yards, including 258 by Samson Evans.

Eastern Michigan Eagles #22 Samson Evans (RB) running through the ASU defense during the 3rd quarter. Photo by Jared Dubose/TGSportstv1.

ASU is now 1-2 on the year after the defeat. Furthermore, it puts the reeling Sun Devils in need of explanations as they prepare for Pac-12 play against what may be a run of three straight ranked opponents.

“We’re all disappointed, and I’m probably more disappointed than anybody because I talked about it all week,” said ASU head coach Herm Edwards. “I did as much as I could do in my power to reach the team and say, ‘Don’t fall into this trap.’ And we did.”

The Sun Devil offense got an opportunity to settle in before Pac-12 start on Saturday when they faced a defense coming off a 49-point performance against Louisiana. Instead, their attempt was undone by a stuttering passing game, missed passes, lost trench wars, and poorly timed penalties.