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Sun Devils Welcome UCLA in First December Home Opener

by thesundevils.com
Dec 4, 2020

Sun Devil Football vs. UCLA Series | Herm Edwards Quotes (UCLA Preview/Nov. 30, 2020) | ASU Game Notes

THE GAME -  Sun Devil Football will look to shake off a month respite and get back on track in the team's home opener this Sunday at Frank Kush Field/Sun Devil Stadium as it welcomes the UCLA Bruins on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 8:30 p.m. AZT in Tempe, Ariz. 

The game will be broadcast live on the FS1 with Aaron Goldsmith and Brady Quinn on the call. The game will be available over the airwaves on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM with Tim Healey and Jeff van Raaphorst providing the action.

When ASU hosts UCLA, it will have been 371 days (one year and six days) since its last home game at Sun Devil Stadium/Frank Kush Field.  ASU's last home game at SDS/FKF was on Saturday, November 30, 2019 when ASU defeated in-state rival Arizona, 24-14, in the annual Territorial Cup Game, the regular-season finale.

THE BRUINS/HOME OPENERS - UCLA leads the all-time series, 21-14-1, and the last decade has been a back-and-forth affair with the two teams going 5-5 in that time with six of those games separated by only one possession. 

ASU has won 21 straight home openers dating back to 1999. That streak is the fourth-longest active streak in the nation behind Florida (31), Wisconsin and Oklahoma State (25).  

The game will (obviously) be the latest home opener in program history, due to COVID-19 circumstances, topping the previous late opening date of Nov. 4 against Fresno State in 1933. It will also be the latest regular season game since a Dec. 6 contest against Arizona in 2008. 

KICKING OFF

  • No player in the conference had more tackles the weekend of the USC game than Evan Fields' 17. It is tied for the 13th-most by any player in the FBS this season.
  • Chase Lucas played the most defensive snaps of any player in the country against USC on 97 total snaps, (95 plays and two plays blown dead on penalties). It was the most snaps by a Pac-12 player in a regulation game since UCLA had three players with 101 snaps against - ironically - Arizona State in Pasadena in 2017.
  • ASU has forced 25 turnovers in its last eight games dating back to last season. No team in the country has forced more than 21 over its latest eight-game stretch.
  • Chip Trayanum became the first freshman to have multiple rushing touchdowns in his Sun Devil debut since George Montgomery against Baylor in 1990.
  • Jayden Daniels' 111 rushing yards against USC were the fourth-most by a quarterback in a single game in Sun Devil history.

AN ASU VICTORY WOULD...

  • Be the 22nd consecutive victory in a HOME opener for the Sun Devils, currently the fourth-longest active streak in the nation. 
  • Keep ASU from falling to 0-2 to start a season for the first time since 1998.
  • Improve ASU to 41-14 in games played at Sun Devil Stadium since 2012. 

MILESTONE COUNTDOWNS

  • 1 field goal without a miss for Cristian Zendejas to tie the 19th longest consecutive streak of field goals made in the Pac-12 since 1996 (14, currently at 13).
  • 2 field goals without a miss for Zendejas to tie the 13th longest consecutive streak of field goals made in the Pac-12 since 1996 (15, currently at 13).
  • 3 field goals without a miss for Zendejas to tie the 10th longest consecutive streak of field goals made in the Pac-12 since 1996 (16, currently at 13).
  • Any passes without an interception will add to Jayden Daniels' standing career record of consecutive passes without an interception, which currently stands at 177.
  • 34 rushing yards for Jayden Daniels to reach 500 in his career (currently at 466).

#10THINGS (Twitter-Friendly Notes)

1. No player in the conference had more tackles in Week 10 than Evan Fields' 17. It was tied for the ninth-most by any player ion the FBS this season.

2. ASU has held opponents to 30 or fewer points in 18 of 27 games under Herm Edwards, notable as it allowed 30+ in 32 of the previous 43 games prior to Edwards tenure. 

3. Chase Lucas played the most defensive snaps of any player in the country the USC weekend on 97 total snaps, (95 plays and two plays blown dead on penalties).

4. Michael Turk's average hangtime of 4.39 seconds also led the Pac-12 and was tied for third among all FBS punters in Week 10. 

5. .@jayd__5 has not thrown an interception in 177 consecutive pass attempts, the fourth-longest active streak in the country. 

6. Cristian Zendejas took over the nation's longest active streak of consecutive field goals made against USC, hitting his 12th and 13th straight attempts.

7.  Chip Trayanum is the first freshman to have multiple rushing touchdowns in his Sun Devil debut since George Montgomery against Baylor in 1990.

8. Arizona State has played in 11 total games decided by four points or less in the Herm Edwards era, which is tied for third in the FBS in that time behind Kansas State and North Carolina (13).

9. Among players with at least 40 defensive snaps in Week 10, Lucas was the highest-graded overall defender in the Pac-12 this weekend with a score of 84.5.

10. Kellen Diesch posted the highest run-blocking grade in the entire Pac-12 at 88.2 against USC. It was the 10th-highest run blocking score among all players in the country for the weekend.

BY THE NUMBERS

177 -- Jayden Daniels has thrown 177 consecutive passes without an interception, the fourth-longest active streak in the nation. With two interceptions on 338 pass attempts last season, he set the ASU school record for fewest interceptions on 300 or more passes. It is also noticeable that one of those interceptions came on a half-ending Hail Mary against Utah midway through the season. Among quarterbacks with at least 200 attempts on the year, Daniels was tied for the FBS lead for the fewest.

97 -- Chase Lucas played the most defensive snaps of any player in the country against USC on 97 total snaps, (95 plays and two plays blown dead on penalties). It was the most snaps by a Pac-12 player in a regulation game since UCLA had three players with 101 snaps against - ironically - Arizona State in Pasadena in 2017. Lucas played 63 snaps in coverage - also the most in the FBS this week - and recorded a Pac-12-best score of 85.8 on those plays - five points higher than any other Pac-12 defensive back for the week. It was the fourth-best grade in coverage for a Power Five defender in the country. 

25 -- The Sun Devils have forced 25 turnovers in the last eight games dating back to last season (3.1 per game). No team in the country has forced more than 21 over its latest eight game stretch. ASU has recorded 10 takeaways in its last two games including the 2019 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl. ASU has a takeaway in eight straight games dating back to last season and multiple turnovers in seven of those (3+ in four of them). ASU (11th in 2018) was one of just four teams nationally to rank in the Top-25 in turnover margin in each of the last two seasons (Georgia Southern, Syracuse, LSU) .

21 -- The Sun Devil football program has been victorious in 21 consecutive home openers, which is the fourth-longest active streak in the nation. Only Florida (31), Wisconsin (25) and Oklahoma State (25). ASU's last loss in a home opener was 1998 against Washington. ASU holds a 40-14 record at Sun Devil Stadium since 2012. The 40 wins are tied for 21st nationally in that time while the 14 losses are the 28th-fewest in the FBS since 2012. ASU is 297-108-3 all-time at Sun Devil Stadium (.732). It is the 26th-best historic winning percentage at a team's home stadium in the FBS.

13 -- Cristian Zendejas took over the nation's longest active streak of consecutive field goals made against USC, hitting his 12th and 13th straight attempts. Since 1996, it is the 23rd-longest streak of consecutive field goals by a player in the Pac-12 Conference. Last season, he became just the 5th different Sun Devil to record 20 or more field goals in a season and finished with 23 field goals, good for sixth in ASU single season history. Zendejas was named Sun Bowl Special Teams MVP last season and matched Sun Bowl record with four field goals in the contest. 

4 -- Rachaad White averaged 4.9 yards after contact in Week 10 while Trayanum averaged 4.2 yards after contact, good for fourth and sixth in the Pac-12 for the week and 17th and 28th among all running backs in the country. White recorded the ninth-highest offensive grade in the Pac-12 this week at 82.7 while fellow running back Trayanum was 12th in the league with a score of 80.6. The duo were the 7th and 10th-highest graded running backs in the FBS for Week 10. 

FOCUSING ON FOOTBALL

  • Chase Lucas was the highest-graded Pac-12 defender in coverage against USC, according to Pro Football Focus, with a score of 85.8 - over 5 percentage points more than the next closest defensive back. It was the fourth-highest coverage score for a Power Five defender in the FBS in Week 10
  • Among players with at least 40 defensive snaps in Week 10, Lucas was the highest-graded overall defender in the Pac-12 with a score of 84.5. He was the 20th-highest graded defender in the entire FBS with that score and seventh among Power Five defenders. 
  • Additionally, ASU had three of the four highest graded defenders in the league for the week with Evan Fields clocking in with a grade of 80.4 and Merlin Robertson recording a 79.6 to sit third and fourth in the league, respectively.
  • Jermayne Lole was the 10th-highest graded defender in the league against USC with a 75.9 grade.
  • Kellen Diesch was the fifth-highest graded offensive player in the Pac-12 in Week 10, regardless of position, with a 84.9 tally. 
  • Diesch posted the highest run-blocking grade in the entire Pac-12 at 88.2. It was the 10th-highest run blocking score among all players in the country for the weekend.
  • Rachaad White recorded the ninth highest offensive grade in the Pac-12 against USC at 82.7 while fellow running back Chip Trayanum was 12th in the league with a score of 80.6. The duo were the 7th and 10th-highest graded running backs in the FBS for Week 10. 
  • Jayden Daniels was the fourth-highest graded quarterback on rushing plays in week 10 with a score of 79.0.

DAAAAMMNNNN DANIELS

  • Daniels has not thrown an interception in 177 consecutive pass attempts,  the fourth-longest active streak in the nation. With two interceptions on 338 pass attempts last season, he set the ASU school record for fewest interceptions on 300 or more passes.
  • Jayden Daniels was the fourth-highest graded quarterback on rushing plays in week 10 with a score of 79.0.
  • His 125 yards gained (minus sacks) were the the sixth-most of any quarterback in the country for the week. 
  • Last season, Daniels' 8.86 yards per pass attempt were 13th in the FBS and third in the league. Among quarterbacks with at least 200 attempts, he was tied for the fewest interceptions nationally with just two – one of which coming on a half-ending Hail Mary attempt against Utah. 
  • Daniels was eighth in the country last year with 15 pass completions over 40 yards last season and 12th in the FBS with 24 passes over 30 yards. His eight completions over 50 yards were 10th. Eleven of his 17 touchdowns passes went for at least 25 yards (64.7 percent).

ICE IN HIS VEINS

  • Daniels was exceptional on third downs last season, with his 744 passing yards on third downs good for 17th in the country (despite missing a game). His 160.13 passer rating on third down was 25th nationally.
  • Despite missing a game, Daniels accounted for 784 passing yards in the fourth quarter of games, good for 10th nationally while his 34 passing first downs were also 10th. 
  • He recorded nine fourth quarter passing touchdowns (fourth nationally) to one interception. His 183.84 QB efficiency rating in the fourth quarter was 12th in the country. 
  • Daniels completed 11 passes of 25+ yards in the fourth quarter of games (tied for 2nd nationally) and his 19 pass completions over 15 yards in the frame was tied for 11th. 
  • While under pressure last season, he posted the sixth-highest NFL passer rating of any quarterback in the FBS at 97.2. For reference, the national average was 68.6.

IN A RUSH

  • Rachaad White recorded the ninth-highest offensive grade in the Pac-12 in Week 10 at 82.7 while fellow running back Chip Trayanum was 12th in the league with a score of 80.6. The duo were the 7th and 10th-highest graded running backs in the FBS for Week 10. 
  • White averaged 4.9 yards after contact in Week 10 while Trayanum averaged 4.2 yards after contact, good for fourth and sixth in the Pac-12 for the week and 17th and 28th among all running backs in the country. 
  • Trayanum became the first player with two rushing touchdowns in his Sun Devil debut since Marion Grice in 2012 vs. NAU (3). He is the first freshman to have multiple rushing touchdowns in his Sun Devil debut since George Montgomery against Baylor in 1990.
  • ASU ran for over 250+ yards in the first game of the season against USC after not reaching the mark last season.
  • Jayden Daniels' 111 rushing yards against USC were the fourth-most by a quarterback in Sun Devil history.
  • ASU had three players rush for over 75 yards against USC (Jayden Daniels 111, Chip Trayanum 84, Rachaad White 76). It was the first time ASU had three players go over the 75-yard mark in the ground since Nov. 15, 1997 against Oregon when Michael Martin (158), J.R. Redmond (127) and Marlon Farlow (85) accomplished the feat.

HOLD ON TO YOUR SEATS

  • Arizona State has played in 11 total games decided by four points or less in the Herm Edwards era, which is tied for third in the FBS in that time behind Kansas State and North Carolina (13).
  • ASU has seven wins in games decided by four points or less (7-4 record), tied second behind Nevada (8) for the most wins by four points or fewer since 2018
  • The Sun Devils have now played in 18 games decided by a touchdown or less in the last two years, going 9-9 in that time. The 18 games are second behind Texas (21) for the most in the country during that time. The 9 wins in such game are tied for 5th in the FBS in that time. 
  • ASU played eight games last season decided by a touchdown or less - six of which decided by four points or less.

HOLD ON TO THAT BALL, ALSO

  • The Devils turned the ball over just 14 times last season - the 20th-lowest total in the FBS. ASU was 6th nationally in turnover margin this season (1.08). 
  • ASU forced a turnover on 17.5 percent of opponent possessions last season, good for 4th nationally. 
  • ASU (11th in 2018) is one of just four teams nationally to rank in the Top-25 in turnover margin in each of the last two seasons (Georgia Southern, Syracuse, LSU) and only ASU and Syracuse have been in the Top-15 in the last two seasons. 
  • ASU's four interceptions thrown on the year were tied for the 4th-lowest total nationally. ASU was one of just five non-triple option offenses to rank in the Top-25 in fewest interceptions in the last two seasons - joining Auburn as the only other one of those to do so with a different primary quarterback in each of those seasons.

WE'LL TAKE THAT 

  • ASU has forced 25 turnovers in its last eight games dating back to last season. No team in the country has forced more than 21 over its latest eight-game stretch.
  • ASU has recorded 10 takeaways in its last two games including the 2019 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl.
  • ASU has a takeaway in eight straight games dating back to last season and multiple turnovers in seven of those (3+ in four of them).
  • ASU collected 15 fumble recoveries last season, the third-most in the nation and the most since finishing the 2014 season with 13. ASU had 17 fumble recoveries during the 2011 season. It had one against Oregon State, the first fumble lost by the Beavers all season in its first 10 games. 
  • ASU has outscored opponents 765-386 in points off takeaways since 2012. 
  • Since 2012, ASU has scored 64.5 percent of the time following an opponent turnover (129 of 200) while finding the end zone 94 times in that span (47.0 percent).
  • Conversely, opponents have scored just 48.7 percent of the time following an ASU turnover since 2012 (65 of 133) with 50 touchdowns (37.6 percent).

LOCKING IT DOWN

  • The Sun Devils gave up just three plays over 50 yards last season, tied for the 8th-fewest nationally. ASU was also tied for 9th nationally in allowing just 3 plays of over 50 yards in 2018 after sitting in the bottom 10 nationally in the previous four years.
  • ASU's 10 plays allowed over 40 yards last season were 25th nationally. In 2018, ASU was tied for 11th nationally in allowing just 8 plays over 40 yards, an area the Devils had struggled in in previous seasons (allowing 20, 16, 30, 21 in the previous four seasons and finishing 103rd, 79th, 128th, 110th, respectively). 
  • ASU allowed just 17 plays over 30 yards last season, a total tied for 7th nationally. In 2018, The Devils gave up just 22 plays over 30 yards, tied for 34th-fewest nationally. In the previous four years, ASU had given up 38, 44, 40, 40 such plays, ranked 116th, 124th, 117th and 119th. 
  • ASU's run defense was especially efficient, finishing 17th in the country with only 47rushing plays allowed over 10 yards last season. With just 8 rushing plays over 20 yards allowed last season, ASU was 8th in the country. 
  • In the last two seasons combined, the Sun Devil secondary has allowed just 15 total passing plays over 40 yards. For perspective, it had 12 alone in 2017, 22 in 2016 and 24 in 2015 – the latter two ranked second to last and last, respectively, in the nation.
  • ASU's defense has done it's part to limit opponents on short-field drives (drives beginning less than 60 yards for the end zone), holding teams to 2.83 points per drive in such situations (28th in the country).

KEEP 'EM OFF THE BOARD

  • ASU has held opponents to less than 30 points in 18 of 27 games under Herm Edwards, notable as it DID allow 30+ in 32 of 43 previous games dating back in a span from 2013-17. 
  • Last season, ASU was 35th in the country and fifth in the Pac-12 in allowing just 22.4 points per game. The Sun Devils allowed just 25.5 points per game in 2018, good for 53rd nationally. The totals are notable as ASU was 103rd nationally at 32.8 points per game allowed in 2017 and had finished 99th or worse in three consecutive seasons prior to the marked improvement the past two seasons.
  • ASU held six opponents under 20 points last year, its most since holding six under the mark in 2012.

THRILL OF THE CHASE

  • Chase Lucas played the most defensive snaps of any player in the country the USC weekend on 97 total snaps, (95 plays and two plays blown dead on penalties). 
  • It was the most snaps by a Pac-12 player in a regulation game since UCLA had three players with 101 snaps against - ironically - Arizona State in Pasadena in 2017.
  • Lucas played 63 snaps in coverage - also the most in the FBS in Week 10 - and recorded a Pac-12-best score of 85.8 on those plays - five points higher than any other Pac-12 defensive back for the week. It was the fourth-best grade in coverage for a Power Five defender in the country. 
  • Among players with at least 40 defensive snaps in Week 10, Lucas was the highest-graded overall defender in the Pac-12 this weekend with a score of 84.5
  • Lucas was targeted six times on his 63 snaps in coverage, with receivers logging just 27 total yards on four catches. Lucas had two forced incompletions and a stop while missing zero tackles.
  • USC managed just a 76.4 NFL passer rating when targetting Lucas - the fourth-lowest in the Pac-12 among players with at least 35 coverage snaps. 
  • Lucas was credited with just one touchdown allowed in coverage last season, the lowest total in the Pac-12 and 5th-lowest total nationally - despite being targetted the 37th most times on an corner nationally (76).
  • Lucas trails only Oregon's Jordon Scott (37) in most defensive starts in the Pac-12 at 35. He will go down as one of the few Sun Devil secondary players to finish his career as a four-year starter.

YOU DON'T KNOW JACK

  • In 2019, Jack Jones was the 15th highest graded corner and the 37th-highest graded defender overall in the Pac-12 with a defensive score of 71.2
  • The Sun Devils had 72 passes defended in 2019, the 10th-highest total in the nation and the most since posting 75 in 2012.

MERLIN'S MAGIC

  • Merlin Robertson earned Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week honors for Week 10 after recording 10 tackles, a tackle for loss, a fumble recovery and an interception.
  • Robertson was the fourth-highest graded defender in the league after the USC game, according to PFF, with a score of 79.6. It was the third-highest grade for a linebacker.
  • Robertson played 37 snaps in coverage (14th among Power Five linebackers) and recording a coverage score of 84.0 - the highest of any Power Five linebacker and fourth highest among FBS linebackers overall for the week. 
  • Robertson was a part of 19 "key" plays in the contest - tied for second most of any Pac-12 player.

HAVING A FIELD DAY

  • Evan Fields was the third-highest graded Pac-12 defender in Week 10, according to Pro Football Focus, recording a score of 80.4.
  • No player in the conference had more tackles during the USC weekend than Fields' 17. It was tied for the 13th-most by any player ion the FBS this season.
  • The 17 tackles were the most by a Sun Devil since Christian Sam had 15 in a game in 2017 - also against USC. 
  • Evan Fields had 23 total defensive "stops" last season, a total that was tied for second among safeties in the Pac-12.
  • On run defense last season, Fields recorded 17 total defensive "stops" to lead all Pac-12 safeties and 46th nationally.

LO-LEEEEEE, LOLE, LOLE, LOLEEEE

  • Jermayne Lole was the 10th-highest graded defender in the league in Week 10 with a 75.9 grade. He recorded a 74.4 score on run defense, which was good for ninth in the Pac-12 and third among defensive interior players in the league.
  • Lole was a part of 19 "key" plays against USC, the second most of any Pac-12 defender. 
  • His 12.5 run-stop percentage was sixth-highest in the FBS. 
  • Lole led the Pac-12 interior linemen with 73 defensive snaps and was tied for the league lead with five quarterback pressures generated. 
  • He bat down two passes - highest among interior linemen in the league - while recording 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He crossed the 100 career tackle mark in the contest as well. 
  • In 2019, Lole checked in as the 20th-highest graded player in the Pac-12 with a score of 75.3 - the second-highest score among edge defenders in the league. His 81.9 score on running plays last season was in the Top-50 of all edge defenders on the year. 
  • Lole recorded 72 tackles last season, the third most for a Sun Devil defensive lineman since 1990 behind only Shante Carver (79 in 1993) and Terrell Suggs (73 in 2002). 
  • The sophomore had the 12th-highest positive run impact score in the country at 23.6 percent among players graded as interior linemen (percentage of run defense snaps where player earned a positive grade from Pro Football Focus).
  • Lole's 32 defensive stops on run plays last season were seventh among the nation's edge defenders. His 39 overall stops were 14th among edge defenders.
  • Lole was credited with just five missed tackle last season, tied for 35th among FBS edge defenders.

BIG PLAY FRANK

  • Frank Darby earned Pac-12 honorable mention accolades in 2019
  • He hauled in a touchdown pass in four straight games in the back half of the season and accounted for two touchdowns in three of those outings. He had seven touchdowns over the four-game span (UCLA-USC-Oregon State-Oregon). Prior to the UCLA game, he had five total receiving touchdowns in his previous 30 career games to that current four-game stretch.
  • In those four games, he has made 16 catches for 387 yards (24.2 yards per catch) and seven touchdowns
  • His 125-yard performance in the upset victory over No. 6 Oregon was the fifth 100+ yard game of his career
  • Darby's 19.87 yards per reception last season was 10th in the country and second among Pac-12 receivers
  • When targeted last season, Darby posted a 133.1 NFL quarterback rating (31 catches for 616 yards with eight touchdowns and no interceptions) – good for the 21st-highest total among all wide receivers nationally and top-10 among those that return this season.
  • Frank Darby was the Pac-12's10th-highest graded wide receiver (69.7) among players with 600 snaps, but also did his part off the ball in recording the third-highest score in the FBS among receivers as a run blocker (80.6).

NOBODY'S BUSINESS BUT THE TURKS

  • Michael Turk immediately picked up where he left off from a punting percentage this weekend, recording five punts for 258 yards and a Pac-12 leading 51.6-yard average per punt - leading the nation in the category for season average and leading the Pac-12 with his weekly Pro Football Focus grade of 71.3
  • He pinned three punts inside the 20 and had three punts over 50 yards. 
  • His average hangtime of 4.39 seconds also led the Pac-12 and was tied for third among all FBS punters for the weekend. 
  • A semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award last season, Michael Turk's 46.0 yards per punt average on 59 punts were 11th in the FBS and led the Pac-12.
  • He pinned 32 of those 59 punts inside the opponent 20-yard line (54.2 percent), a total that was second in the nation.
  • Turk had 21 punts out of 59 (35.6 percent) punts over 50 yards this season, six more than any other player in the Pac-12.
  • Turk held the top mark in the FBS this season for max hang time on a punt with a mark of 5.51 seconds in generally unfavorable conditions in Week 8 against Utah. Pro Football Focus gave Turk the 10th-highest grade among FBS punters this season that played at least 10 games.
  • The 63.0 yards per punt mark by Turk on Aug. 29 vs. Kent State broke an NCAA record. The previous record for highest average yards per punt in a game with minimum five attempts was Braden Mann of Texas A&M on Sept. 22, 2018, as he had a 60.8 yards per punt average vs. Alabama on punts of 56, 65, 62, 61 and 60 for 304 yards. Turk punted five times for 315 yards with boots of 64, 62, 65, 49 and 75 in his Sun Devil debut.

CATCHING SOME Z'S

  • Cristian Zendejas took over the nation's longest active streak of consecutive field goals made against USC, hitting his 12th and 13th straight attempts.
  • Since 1996, it is the 23rd-longest streak of consecutive field goals in the Pac-12.
  • Zendejas was named Sun Bowl Special Teams MVP last season and matched Sun Bowl record with four field goals in the contest
  • He became just the 5th different Sun Devil to record 20 or more field goals in a season and finished with 23 field goals, good for sixth in ASU single season history.
  • The 23 field goals were the 7th-most in the nation (most in the Pac-12) and 5th among those returning this season while he was 20th nationally in field goal percentage (85.2).

HOME COOKING

  • Sun Devil Football has had one of the top home field advantages in the FBS in recent history, recording a 40-14 record at Sun Devil Stadium since 2012. The 40 wins are tied for 21st nationally in that time while the 14 losses are the 28th-fewest in the FBS since 2012. 
  • ASU is 297-108-3 all-time at Sun Devil Stadium (.732). It is the 26th-best historic winning percentage at a team's home stadium in the FBS.

THE KIDS WILL BE ALRIGHT

  • The Sun Devils have the seventh-youngest team in the nation in terms of underclassmen percentage with 68.1 percent of the roster with 77 total underclassmen (49 freshmen/28 sophomores) on a roster of 113. 
  • The Sun Devils began the season as the only team in the country with a travel roster that featured zero starts or carries among the running backs on the travel roster.
  • ASU's 30 combined starts along the offensive line to start the season were the sixth fewest in the country. 
  • All told, 32 true or redshirt freshmen have played for the Sun Devils last year (21 true, 11 redshirt). That was tied for the third-highest total among FBS programs this season behind Clemson and Oklahoma.
  • Eight have started a game for ASU last year, tied for the second-highest total in the nation behind Alabama (9). ASU's 5 offensive true freshmen to start a game last season were the most of any team in the country.
  • The Sun Devils played 25 freshmen in the season opener (15 true, 10 redshirt) last year - the most ever in the modern era at ASU. That was the third-highest total in the country behind only Clemson (38 - 27/11) and Baylor (35 - 20/15). 
  • In 2019 - for the first time in program history - a freshman was named a team captain after Herm Edwards dubbed true freshman quarterback/athlete Ethan Long as special teams captain before the season. Additionally, Darien Butler was the first true sophomore captain in program history after the linebacker was named captain for the team's defense. 
  • The trend continues in 2020 with true sophomores Jayden Daniels and Case Catch earning the nod as captains. 
  • Prior to the last two seasons, no player that had been with the program for less than three years had ever been named a team captain in ASU history. 
  • Last season, Arizona State was the only team in the country starting two true freshmen on its offensive line.

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