Arizona State had lost six in a row. Injuries had just crushed the Sun Devils in Kenny Dillingham’s debut season.

DeCarlos Brooks returned last week from a four-game absence and immediately made his presence felt as the Sun Devils nearly knocked off Washington. Saturday against the other school from the state, Brooks combined with Cam Skattebo to score four touchdowns and power the Sun Devils to their first conference win of the season.

The losing slide is over after Arizona State defeated Washington State 38-27 at home.

Skattebo ran for 121 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. Brooks had 67 yards and three scores on 11 carries. Arizona State didn’t give up a sack, and it only allowed two tackles for loss all day.

Against an aggressive front from Washington State, Arizona State handily won the battle at the line of scrimmage.

Brooks opened the scoring for the Sun Devils with a 13-yard touchdown run. ASU scored points on six of its first eight drives. It didn’t punt until the 3:52 mark in the third quarter.

In the second half, the defense made Washington State grind out drives and then settle.

A 10-play, 60-yard Cougar possession in the third ended with a field goal from the ASU 14 after Wazzu failed to get 2 yards on back-to-back plays.

Wazzu had it first-and-goal from the ASU 6 on its next possession but was forced to settle for a field goal from the 17. Nakia Watson was swarmed for a 4-yard loss on second down and then quarterback Cameron Ward was sacked for a 7-yard loss on third down.

On Washington State’s next possession, the Cougs found themselves with another first-and-goal from the ASU 6-yard-line. ASU again turned them away on three consecutive plays.

Trailing by 11 with the clock ticking under two to play, Wazzu went for six rather than kicking the field goal and Ward’s pass fell incomplete.

Ward finished 35-for-50 for 315 yards and a touchdown through the air. He also added two rushing scores, but was the team’s leading rusher at just 35 yards.

Arizona State (2-6, 1-4 Pac-12) will face Utah next Saturday in Salt Lake City.

Washington State will play Stanford at home. After winning four straight to open the year, the Cougars have lost each of their last four games.