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Sun Devils Head to SLC With First Place in Pac-12 on the Line

by thesundevils.com
Oct 12, 2021

THE GAME -  The Sun Devil Football program returns to the road this weekend to take on the Utah Utes on Saturday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. AZT/8 p.m. locally at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. The contest will be broadcast nationally on ESPN (Dave Flemming, Rod Gilmore and Stormy Buonantony on the call) and available over the airwaves locally on 98.7 FM (Tim Healey, Jeff Van Raaphorst, Jordan Simone, Jeff Munn).

ON UTAH - Sole possession of first place in the Pac-12 South will remain on the line this weekend as the last two undefeated teams in league play square off. Utah comes in with a 2-0 mark in league action and a 3-2 overall record. ASU leads the all-time series, 22-9, though Utah was won three of the last five in the series. Utah has won 15 of its last 16 home games. 

IN MEMORY - Twice in less than a year, the Utah Football family has suffered the tragic loss of a student-athlete, teammate, brother and valued member of the football community. Ty Jordan, a freshman running back from Mesquite, Texas, lost his life on Dec. 25, 2020. Just nine months later, Jordan's high school and college teammate Aaron Lowe passed away on Sept. 26, 2021. 

Lowe, who attended West Mesquite HS with Jordan, changed his number to 22 prior to the 2021 season to honor the life and legacy of Jordan, also becoming the first recipient of the Ty Jordan Memorial Scholarship. 

The Utes will wear a decal on their helmets honoring Ty and Aaron for the remainder of the 2021 season with the Pac-12 rallying with support by honoring the duo during road games for Utah. Utah will also continue to honor Ty and Aaron in Rice-Eccles Stadium throughout the season. 

Sun Devil Football wishes to send its heartfelt condolences to the entire Utah Athletics family. 

AN ASU VICTORY WOULD...

  • Move ASU to 4-0 in conference play for the first time since 2007, when it was still the Pac-10
  • Leave ASU as the lone unbeaten team in conference action in the Pac-12
  • Keep ASU on top in the Pac-12 South
  • Give ASU a 6-1 record to start the year for the first time since 2014
  • Mark the earliest the Sun Devils have become bowl eligible since 2007 (Oct. 6)
  • Give ASU its third win in the last four games in the series

NOTABLE SERIES NUMBERS - UTAH (Pac-12 games only)

RUSHING YARDS

181 – Joe Williams, UTAH (@ASU 26, Utah 49/Nov. 11, 2016)

175 – Eno Benjamin, ASU (@ASU 38, #16 UTAH 20/Nov. 3, 2018)

146 – Devontae Booker, UTAH (#15 @ASU 19, #18 UTAH 16 OT/Nov. 1, 2014)

PASSING YARDS

326 – Taylor Kelly, ASU (@ASU 37, Utah 7/Sept. 22, 2012)

325 – Brock Osweiler, ASU (#22 ASU 35, @UTAH 14/Oct. 8, 2011)

309 – Manny Wilkins, ASU (@ASU 26, Utah 49/Nov. 11, 2016)

RECEIVING YARDS

161 – N'Keal Harry, ASU (@ASU 38, #16 UTAH 20/Nov. 3, 2018)

118 – Kalen Ballage, ASU (@ASU 26, Utah 49/Nov. 11, 2016)

118 – Devin Lucien, ASU (ASU 18, #4 @UTAH 34/Oct. 17, 2015)

116 – Raelon Singleton, UTAH (@ASU 26, Utah 49/Nov. 11, 2016)

116 – Kenneth Scott, UTAH (ASU 18, #4 @UTAH 34

TACKLES

14 – Chris Young, ASU (#23 ASU 20, @UTAH 19/Nov. 11, 2013)

13 – J. Simone, ASU (#15 @ASU 19, #18 UTAH 16/Nov. 1, 2014)

12 – Corrion Ballard, UTAH (@ASU 38, #16 UTAH 20/Nov. 3, 2018)

12 – Cody Barton, UTAH (@ASU 38, #16 UTAH 20/Nov. 3, 2018)

12 – Jordan Simone, ASU (ASU 18, #4 @UTAH 34/Oct. 17, 2015)

MILESTONE WATCH

  • 86 passing yards by Jayden Daniels to reach 5,000 in his career (Currently at 4,914)
  • 53 rushing yards by Jayden Daniels to reach 1,000 in his career (Currently at 947)
  • 139 passing/rushing yards by Jayden Daniels to reach 6,000 total offensive yards in his career (Currently at 5,861) 
  • 153 rushing yards by Rachaad White to reach 1,000 in his ASU career (Currently at 847)
  • 4 touchdowns by Rachaad White to reach 20 in his career (Currently at 16 - 14 rush, 2 receiving)
  • 4.5 sacks by Tyler Johnson to move into the Top-10 in ASU career history (needs 19.0, currently at 14.5)
  • 4 starts by Chase Lucas to become ASU's all-time leader in career starts (needs 48, currently at 44)
  • 3 tackles by Evan Fields  to reach 200 in his career (currently at 197)

KICKING OFF

  • All seven Sun Devil games this season have kicked off after 7 p.m. local time, marking a new program record for consecutive "late" kicks. The 2016 season had 8 straight 5 p.m. or later local kicks, a record for consecutive "night games" (Pac-12 era). 
  • ASU's secondary has combined for 147 career starts, a total that is second in the nation behind only Indiana. The group is led by Chase Lucas' 44 career starts, who needs four more starts this season to break the Sun Devil school record currently held by Dexter Davis (47).
  • ASU has 35 rushing touchdowns in its last 9 games - the most of any FBS team over their most recent nine-game stretch ahead of Air Force (32).
  • ASU has forced 44 turnovers in its last 17 games dating back to 2019, good for second-most in the nation over an 17-game span (Iowa, 46).
  • In games against FBS competition with only non-garbage time possessions included, ASU is holding opponents to a starting field position of the opponent's own 24.5 yard line - the sixth-worst starting field position for opponents in the FBS.
  • The Sun Devil secondary has forced 24 "coverage sacks" (plays where the opposing QB had to hold the ball for 3.0 plus seconds or throw it away), tied for second in the FBS behind Notre Dame (28).
  • ASU has rushed for 150 or more yards in 10 straight games dating back to 2020. It is the longest such streak since a 12-game span between 1975-76.
  • Against FBS opponents, ASU has a +2.55 yards per play advantage between its offensive yards gained per play and defensive yards allowed per play. The net positive is seventh-highest in the nation. 
  • Against FBS teams, ASU's offense is averaging 7.1 yards per play on the season, good for fifth in the FBS. The team is averaging 3.16 points per drive on the year - 14th best in the FBS.
  • ASU's offense has earned 65.5 percent of the total yards available this season - the fifth-best tally in the FBS.

#10THINGS (Twitter-Friendly Notes)

1. In non-garbage time possessions against FBS teams this year, ASU opponents have an average starting yard line at their own 24.5 - the sixth-worst starting field position in the country.

2. ASU has held opponents to less than 30 points in 26 of 36 games under Herm Edwards, notable as it DID allow 30+ in 32 of 43 previous games dating back in a span from 2013-17. 

3. Rachaad White's 24 receptions are 10 more than any other Pac-12 RB and fourth among FBS backs. His 269 yards after the catch (think catches behind LOS) are second among FBS backs.

4. Opponents have converted just 11 of 38 total second half third-down attempts - a 28.9 tally that is in the top-25 of the FBS and a notable difference over the team's 20-of-47 (42.6 percent) rate allowed in the first half.

5. The Sun Devil secondary has forced 24 "coverage sacks" (plays where the opposing QB has to hold the ball for 3.0 plus seconds and/or throw it away), tied for 2nd-most in the nation (Notre Dame, 28).

6. Jack Jones is allowing just a 46.9 NFL QB rating when he is targeted this season, third among Pac-12 corners and 28th among all FBS corners. 

7.  ASU's offensive line has allowed a quarterback pressure on just 16.1 percent of dropbacks this year, the third-lowest tally in the FBS.

8. ASU is fifth in the FBS in allowing just 3.8 second-half points per game against its FBS opponents. ASU is outscoring teams 92-26 in the second half of games this year and 47-9 in the fourth quarter. 

9. The Sun Devils are one of just two FBS teams this year to not allow a 40+ yard play (Clemson).

10. ASU has rushed for over 150 yards in 10 straight games dating back to last season, its longest streak since a 12-game span from 1975-76.

BY THE NUMBERS

147 - ASU's secondary has combined for 147 career starts, a total that is second in the nation behind only Indiana (162). The group is led by Chase Lucas' 44 career starts, who needs four to break the Sun Devil school record currently held by Dexter Davis (47). Since 2018, that secondary has allowed just 5 passing plays over 50 yards (none last year or this year so far). The Sun Devil secondary has forced 24 "coverage sacks" (plays where the opposing QB has to hold the ball for 3.0 plus seconds and/or throw it away), good for 2nd-most in the nation.

50 - ASU has allowed just seven plays over 50 yards to opponents since the 2018 season over 36 games. The .19 50+ yard plays per game allowed are 2nd-fewest in the FBS in that time behind only Washington (.11 per game on 4 plays over 36 games). ASU ranked in the bottom 10 nationally in 50+ yards played allowed each year from 2014-17. Since 2018, ASU has allowed just 49 30-yard plays (1.4 per game/36 games)). For perspective, from 2014-17, ASU gave up 38, 44, 40, 40 such plays, respectively ranked 116th, 124th, 117th and 119th. ASU is one of just 3 remaining FBS teams to not allow a play over 40 yards.

44 - ASU has forced 44 turnovers in its last 17 games dating back to 2019, good for the second-most in the nation over an 17-game span (Iowa, 46). ASU has multiple takeaways in 12 of those (and three or more in seven of them). ASU has forced 49 offensive turnovers overall since 2019, 13th among all FBS teams despite playing significantly fewer games than most schools in 2020. The Sun Devils have forced three or more interceptions in 5 of the last 12 games dating back to 2019. ASU is tied for 11th in the FBS this season with 8. ASU has outscored opponents 802-406 in points off takeaways since 2012.

29 - All told, the ASU has allowed just 29 quarterback pressures this year - 11 fewer than any other Pac-12 school and 9th-fewest in the FBS (though triple option offenses Air Force and Army ranks first and second). Only four of those pressures have come unblocked, tied for the second-lowest total in the FBS. ASU has allowed a pressure on just 17.7 percent of quarterback dropbacks this year, the fifth-lowest total in the FBS. ASU quarterbacks have been knocked down just seven times this season - fourth-fewest in the nation behind Georgia and triple options Army/Air Force. ASU has allowed just seven sacks - tied for the 21st lowest total in the FBS.

26 - ASU has held opponents to less than 30 points in 26 of 36 games under Herm Edwards, notable as it DID allow 30+ in 32 of 43 previous games dating back in a span from 2013-17. The Sun Devils are allowing just 1.54 points per drive against FBS opponents, good for 25th in the nation. Only 18.0 percent of opponent drives (FBS games only) have resulted in touchdowns this season, the 23rd-lowest tally in the nation. ASU is fifth in the FBS in allowing just 3.8 second-half points per game against its FBS opponents. ASU is outscoring teams 92-26 in the second half of games this year and 47-9 in the fourth quarter.

7 - ASU's offense is averaging 7.09 yards per play on the season, good for 11th in the FBS. ASU is averaging 7.1 yards per play against FBS opponents only, which is fifth-best in the FBS against FBS-only competition. Against FBS opponents, the Sun Devils pick up at least four yards per play on 75.6 percent of plays (3rd in the FBS) and gain at least seven yards on 51.1 percent of plays (4th in the FBS).ASU's offense has earned 65.5 percent of the total yards available this season - the fifth-best tally in the FBS. The team is deadly with a short field (from its own 40 inwards), gaining 91.5 percent of the total yards available - most in the FBS.

ON A ROLL

  • Sun Devil Football has won seven of last eight games and won five straight Pac-12 games, dating back to 2020.
  • The team's average margin of victory in the five wins this year is 18.8 points per win.
  • The squad's average margin of victory in the last five Pac-12 wins, dating back to 2020, is 24.3.
  • The Sun Devils are +103 in the scoring margin category this season - 33 points higher than any other team in the Pac-12.
  • ASU's defense has allowed only three total points in the second half of its last two games (UCLA-0, Stanford-3) while outscoring opponents 92-26 in the second half of games.

DANNNGGGGG DANIELS

  • Jayden Daniels is currently the highest graded quarterback in the Pac-12 this season (87.5) - and the third-highest graded offensive player regardless of position. The tally marks him as the 33rd-highest graded player in the nation, regardless of position, and 17th among QBs.
  • Daniels is currently 14th in the nation and tops in the league in yards per attempt at 9.26. 
  • His 70.1 completion percentage is 5th in the nation (min. 100 attempts) and is tops in the league while he has posted an incredible 79.7 percent adjusted completion percentage (accounting for drops), which is 3rd in the FBS.
  • Daniels is accounting for 273.0 total yards of offense per game this year, 33rd nationally and second in the Pac-12.
  • Daniels is 18th in the FBS since 2019 in fourth quarter passing yards (1,129) while his 10 touchdown passes in the final frame are tied for 15th.
  • Daniels has an NFL passer rating of 115.3 in the fourth quarter of games, fourth-highest among FBS quarterbacks since 2019 (min. 150 dropbacks). 
  • Since 2019, Daniels is third in the FBS in yards per pass attempt with 11+ yards to go (min. 50 attempts) at 11.2 ypa while he is second in yards per completion in the category (17.5 on 965 yards and 55 catches). 
  • His NFL passer rating with over 11+ yards to go since 2019 is 120.5, good for fourth in the nation.
  • Among players with at least 400 passing attempts since 2019, Jayden Daniels ranks tied for second in fewest interceptions with just six on 559 attempts (1.1 percent of his throws). He has the 14th highest NFL QBR in that time at 101.5.
  • Daniels has thrown just one interception on third down in his career, tied for fewest in the FBS since 2019 (min. 100 attempts). That third down interception didn't come until the 19th game of his career (BYU this season).
  • Since 2019, Daniels is second among FBS quarterbacks in yards per attempt on third down at 9.1 (1,264 yards on 139 attempts).
  • Among Power Five quarterbacks with at least 100 third-down attempts since 2019, Daniels is 15th with an NFL quarterback rating of 98.1.

JAY WALKING

  • As a rusher, Jayden Daniels has a grade of 78.1, good for first among quarterbacks in the league and fifth overall. He is the 15th-highest graded quarterback as a rusher thi season.
  • Daniels has forced 21 missed tackles this season, sixth among FBS QBs. His 412 rushing yards before sacks are tied for ninth among FBS quarterbacks.
  • He has 18 explosive runs (10+), fourth among FBS quarterbacks and most of any player in the Pac-12, regardless of position.
  • Since 2019, Daniels' 1,164 rushing yards overall (sacks excluded) are 17th among active quarterbacks and among those with at least 100 carries, his 6.1 yards per rush are 18th. 
  • Daniels officially has 947 career rushing yards with sacks included, meaning he needs just 53 to reach the century mark in his career. The school record in quarterback career rushing yards in 1,404 by Taylor Kelly.
  • Daniels rushed for 125 yards against UNLV, his second career 100+ yard game and the fourth-most by a quarterback in program history (he also holds the fifth-best tally with 111 at USC last year).
  • When rushing on third down, Daniels has picked up a first down or touchdown with his feet 57.7 percent of the time (52 attempts) - 5th among FBS quarterbacks since 2019.
  • His 8.1 yards per carry when rushing on third down are eighth among FBS quarterbacks since 2019. He has 19 explosive third down runs (runs of 10+ yards) good for fifth among FBS quarterbacks since 2019.

RUSH HOUR

  • ASU's 35 rushing touchdowns over its last nine games are the most in the FBS over a nine-game span ahead Air Force's triple option offense (32). ASU has 21 rushing touchdowns this season tied for second in the FBS behind Air Force (24).
  • ASU has 10-straight games dating back to 2020 with over 150 rushing yards. It is the longest such streak since a 12-game run over 150 yards over the final nine games of 1975 and first three of 1976.
  • ASU has gone over the 200-yard mark on the ground in seven of its last 12 games dating back to 2019. ASU has gone over 250 yards rushing in 5 of the last 9 games. In the Herm Edwards era,  ASU has rushed for 200 or more yards 12 times and 250+ yards 10 times.
  • ASU is 25th nationally and third in the Pac-12 with 213.0 rushing yards per game this season.
  • ASU's success this season has come in large part by its receivers grinding on the outside with the trio of Johnny Wilson, Andre Johnson and Ricky Pearsall ranking as the 1st, 2nd, and 4th highest-graded receivers in the Pac-12 as run blockers and 1st, 2nd and 12th among FBS receivers overall (min. 150 snaps). 
  • Wilson (90.4) and Johnson (89.1) are the 5th and 11-highest graded run blockers in the FBS, regardless of position.
  • Kellen Diesch checks in as the 10th-highest graded run blocker in the nation as well and fifth among tackles. 
  • Additionally, Curtis Hodges and Case Hatch have the highest run-blocking score amongst tight ends in the Pac-12 (75.0 and 74.9), good for 21st and 22nd among all FBS tight ends.
  • As a team, ASU has the 11th-highest graded run blocking group in the FBS (77.6).

THE PRICE IS WHITE

  • Rachaad White has a rushing touchdown in eight straight games dating back to last season and has multiple in five of those. His nine rushing touchdowns this season are 4th in the country and tops in the league.
  • White has multiple touchdowns in six of his 10 games at ASU and has at least one touchdown in nine of those 10 games with the Devils.
  • He has been a workhorse for ASU, second among Pac-12 running backs with 101 touches this season (77 rushing, 24 receiving). His 236 total snaps are tops among Pac-12 running backs. 
  • White is the second-highest graded running back in the Pac-12 this season (83.3) and the 9th-highest graded one in the FBS.
  • White has rushed for 24 first downs this season, fourth among Pac-12 backs. However, he has added 11 first downs as a receiver - tops among all FBS running backs.  His 35 total first downs are the most of any player in the league.
  • 68.7 percent of White's yards have come after contact this season - the 5th-most in the Pac-12.
  • He is also the highest graded running back in the league as a receiver (76.6) and 7th-highest graded in the category nationally among backs. 
  • His 27 targets in the passing game are 10 more than any other Pac-12 player and fifth among running backs nationally. His 24 receptions are 10 more than any other Pac-12 back and fourth among FBS running backs.
  • White has 269 yards after the catch (think catches behind the line of scrimmage) - the second-highest tally of any FBS running back this season.
  • He has also forced seven misses tackles as a receiver - eighth among FBS backs.

GOING OFF THE RAILS ON A CRAZY TRAYANUM/IN-NGATA DA VIDA

  • DeaMonte Trayanum was the highest-graded running back in the Pac-12 in Week One, posting an overall offensive score of 86.1.
  • Among Pac-12 backs with at least 25 carries this season, Trayanum is tied for the lowest "stuff rate" in the league at just 3.2 percent. 
  • Daniyel Ngata has 15 first downs on his 37 attempts this season and has a first down/touchdown on 40.5 percent of his touches - the highest tally in the Pac-12.
  • Ngata has 10 explosive rushes (rushes of 10+ yards) on his 37 attempts - the ninth-best tally in the league despite having significantly fewer touches than those ahead of him.
  • Trayanum was the highest-graded running back in the Pac-12 last season by PFF with a score of 87.6 - 4.4 points higher than any other back in the league. White was fourth in the Pac-12 with a score of 82.5.
  • Against UCLA in 2020, Chip Trayanum became the first true freshman to rush for 100 yards in a game since Demario Richard in 2014 (14 for 116 vs. Utah - the 8th game of the year). In doing so in just his second game as a Sun Devil, he became the fastest freshman to have a 100-yard game since Keegan Herring rushed for 134 yards on 12 carries in his debut in the season opener for ASU
  • Trayanum averaged a first down or touchdown on 36.7 percent of his carries last season, tops in the league just ahead of his teammate, White (35.7).

TAKING OFFENSE

  • Against FBS opponents, ASU has a +2.55 yards per play advantage between its offensive yards gained per play and defensive yards allowed per play. The net positive is seventh-highest in the nation. 
  • ASU's offense is averaging 7.09 yards per play on the season, good for 11th in the FBS. ASU is averaging 7.1 yards per play against FBS opponents only, which is fifth-best in the FBS against FBS-only competition.
  • Against FBS opponents, the Sun Devils pick up at least four yards per play on 75.6 percent of plays (3rd in the FBS) and gain at least seven yards on 51.1 percent of plays (4th in the FBS).
  • The team is averaging 3.16 points per drive on the year against FBS opponents - 14th best in the FBS. When the team starts between its own 20-40 yard lines, it averages 3.67 points per drive against FBS teams - the second best tally in the nation.
  • ASU's offense has earned 65.5 percent of the total yards available this season - the fifth-best tally in the FBS. The team is deadly with a short field (from its own 40 inwards), gaining 91.5 percent of the total yards available - most in the FBS.
  • The Sun Devils are tied for 18th in the FBS with 35 plays over 20 yards this season - tops in the Pac-12. ASU's seven plays over 40 yards are second in the league.
  • According to CFB-Graphs.com, ASU's Expected Points Added (EPA) per offensive play average is .269 - good for fifth in the FBS. The site credits ASU's offense with a positive play 50.0 percent of the time - the fifth-best ration in the nation.

THIRD TIMES THE CHARM

  • ASU has a third-down conversion rate of 53.3 against FBS opponents, good for fifth in the country.
  • The team is especially deadly of third-and-short, converting 86.7 percent of its opportunities (13-of-15) with one or two yards to go on third down - seventh-best in the FBS.
  • Oddly enough, ASU is also at its best at third and long (7+ yards to go), converting 11 of 30 chances - a 36.7 mark that is 14th-best in the FBS.
  • While ASU is middling overall in third-down conversion defense (fourth in the league and 56th nationally at 36.5 percent), it has been exceptional in the second half of games. 
  • Opponents have converted just 11 of 38 total second half third-down conversion attempts - a 28.9 tally that is ranked in the top-25 of the FBS and a significant improvement over the teams 20-of-47 (42.6 percent) rate allowed in the first half of games.

A HAND IN THE COOKIE JAR

  • ASU has forced 44 turnovers in its last 17 games dating back to 2019, good for the second-most in the nation over a 17-game span (Iowa, 44).
  • ASU has forced 49 offensive turnovers overall since 2019, 13th among all FBS teams despite playing significantly fewer games than most schools in 2020.
  • The Devils were tops in the country in turnover margin last season at 2.00. ASU was 6th nationally in turnover margin in 2019 (1.08). 
  • ASU (11th in 2018) is one of just two teams nationally to rank in the Top-25 in turnover margin in each of the past three seasons (Georgia Southern) and only ASU was in the top-15 in each of those seasons.
  • ASU forced an opponent turnover on 25.0 percent of drives last season, tops in the country. ASU forced a turnover on 17.5 percent of opponent possessions in 2019, good for 4th nationally. 
  • ASU has outscored opponents 802-406 in points off takeaways since 2012. 
  • Since 2012, ASU has scored 63.7 percent of the time following an opponent turnover (135 of 212) while finding the end zone 99 times in that span (47.0 percent).
  • Conversely, opponents have scored just 48.0 percent of the time following an ASU turnover since 2012 (69 of 144) with 52 touchdowns (36.1 percent).
  • ASU turned the ball over five times last year, seventh nationally. The Devils turned the ball over just 14 times in 2019 - the 20th-lowest total in the FBS. 
  • ASU is one of just three teams to rank in the Top-25 in fewest interceptions thrown in each of the last three seasons, alongside triple-option offenses from Air Force and Navy.

LOCKING IT DOWN

  • ASU is one of two remaining FBS teams (Clemson) to not allow an opponent play over 40 yards this year. The team has the 10th-fewest 30+ yard plays allowed with just six.
  • The Sun Devils are 14th in the FBS and first in the league in allowing just 298.0 yards of offense per game. 
  • ASU now has multiple games this season in which it has held an opponent to less than 100 yards rushing AND/OR less than 100 yards passing. It is the first time that has happened since 2012 (four games under 100 yards rushing and two games under 100 yards passing).
  • ASU is allowing just 4.66 yards per play this season, good for 16th in the country and tops in the Pac-12. 
  • Against FBS opponents, ASU has forced a busted drive (drives with zero or negative yards) 20.0 percent of the time - 12th best in the FBS.
  • The Sun Devil defense has been credited with just 52 missed tackles this year - the 21st-lowest tally in the nation. 
  • The Sun Devils held their first four opponents this season under 400 yards of total offense, the first streak with at least four such games since they had five straight games with the feat in 2013. 
  • ASU has allowed just seven plays over 50 yards to opponents since the 2018 season over 36 games. The .19 50+ yard plays per game allowed are second-fewest in the FBS in that time behind only Washington (.11 per game on 4 plays over 36 games). ASU ranked in the bottom 10 nationally in 50+ yards played allowed each year from 2014-17.
  • ASU is one of just seven teams in the country to rank in the Top-35 in fewest plays over 30 yards allowed in EACH of the last three seasons (Cal, Washington, Utah, Iowa, Michigan State, Northwestern). 
  • Since 2018, ASU has allowed just 49 TOTAL 30-plus yard plays (1.4 per game/36 games)). For perspective, from 2014-17, ASU gave up 38, 44, 40, 40 such plays, respectively ranked 116th, 124th, 117th and 119th.

KEEP 'EM OFF THE BOARD

  • The Sun Devils are allowing just 1.54 points per drive against FBS opponents, good for 25th in the nation.
  • Currently, ASU is 13th in the FBS and first in the Pac-12 in allowing just 16.2 points per game. 
  • Only 18.0 percent of opponent drives (FBS games only) have resulted in touchdowns this season, the 23rd-lowest tally in the nation. ASU ranked in the middle of the FBS in 2018 and 2019 in the category with opponent touchdown drive percentages of 27.0 and 25.7 percent.
  • With second-half shutouts over UNLV and UCLA, this is the first time ASU has held two opponents without a second-half point in a season since 2012 (Utah/Colorado).
  • ASU is fifth in the FBS in allowing just 3.8 second-half points per game against its FBS opponents. ASU is outscoring teams 92-26 in the second half of games this year and 47-9 in the fourth quarter. 
  • Since 2019, ASU has allowed an opponent scoring drive just 77 times on 277 drives, a 27.8 score percentage that is the 15th-lowest in the FBS.
  • Since 2019, ASU has held opponents to a 22.7 scoring drive percentage in the second half of games (32 of 141) - the seventh-lowest in the FBS.
  • The Sun Devils have allowed just 100 offensive touchdowns (2.8 per game/36 games) since Herm Edwards assumed the reins in 2018 - among the Top-25-fewest among FBS programs. For reference, ASU gave up 109 offensive touchdowns alone between 2016 and 2017 (4.4 per game/25 games).
  • ASU has allowed just 44 second-half touchdowns to opponents since 2018 - 11th fewest in the FBS. It has allowed just 26 second half touchdowns since 2019 - sixth-fewest in the FBS.
  • ASU has held opponents to less than 30 points in 26 of 36 games under Herm Edwards, notable as it DID allow 30+ in 32 of 43 previous games dating back to a span from 2013-17. 
  • Last season, ASU was first in the Pac-12 in allowing just 23.2 points per game (32nd nationally). In 2019, ASU was 35th in the country, allowing 22.4 points per game. The Sun Devils allowed just 25.5 points per game in 2018, good for 53rd nationally. These 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.

NO FLY ZONE

  • The Sun Devil secondary has forced 24 "coverage sacks" (plays where the opposing QB has to hold the ball for 3.0 plus seconds and/or throw it away), tied with Georgia, LSU and Wake Forest for 2nd-most in the nation (Notre Dame, 28). ASU is forcing one of these coverage sacks on 11.3 percent of opponent pass attempts - the fifth-highest percentage in the FBS.
  • The Sun Devils have forced three or more interceptions in 5 of the last 12 games dating back to 2019. ASU is tied for 11th in the FBS this season with 8. 
  • The Sun Devils have emphasized "cat" coverage this season - man coverage where it's defensive backs are simply asked to guard their "cat". The Sun Devils have been lock down with just 58 "open" targets allowed this year - the 10th-lowest tally in the FBS. Opponents have an open target just 33.7 percent of the time - tied for sixth-lowest in the FBS.
  • Opponents have an NFL quarterback rating of just 69.9 this season - 8th-lowest in the nation.
  • ASU is 21st in the nation in allowing just 181.3 passing yards per game.
  • ASU's coverage has a forced incompletion rate of 12.3 percent - 7th in the nation.
  • Since 2020, ASU has allowed an explosive passing play (15+ yards) just 12.1 percent of the time (48 on 397 attempts) - among the 25 lowest totals in the FBS.
  • Since Herm Edwards' arrival in 2018, the Sun Devil secondary has allowed just 16 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.
  • With Colorado throwing for just 67 total passing yards, it was the second time this season ASU has held two opponents under 100 yards in the category (UNLV, 67). The last time ASU accomplished that twice in a season was 2012, though that includes a triple option offense in Navy in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. It is the first time it has done so without a triple option offense in the schedule since 2006 (@Colorado, 86/Stanford, 66).
  • Prior to Stanford, ASU had held its first five opponents this season under 250 passing yards, extending its streak in that category to eight straight games dating back to last season. That was the longest streak since ASU had an 11-game stretch across the 1991 and 1992 seasons.

JACK OF ALL TRADES AND THE THRILL OF THE CHASE

  • Jack Jones is allowing just a 46.9 NFL QB rating when he is targeted this season, third among Pac-12 corners and 28th among all FBS corners. 
  • His forced incompletion percentage of 20.0 is 24th among FBS corners and tops among Pac-12 corners. 
  • This comers despite being targeted the seventh-most among Pac-12 corners (25). 
  • Opponents have just two 15+ yard passing plays with Jones on the field, a 1.1 percentage (183 plays in coverage) that is third-lowest in the league. 
  • Jones has a 77.2 grade this season from PFF, second among Pac-12 corners and 20th among all FBS corners. It is the 15th-highest grade among all Pac-12 defenders, regardless of position.
  • Chase Lucas has 44 career starts, needing just four to break Dexter Davis' school record of 47.
  • Among active FBS players, Lucas ranks tied for 14th with 30 career passes defended.
  • Lucas has allowed a first down or touchdown in coverage just 30 percent of the time - sixth-lowest among Pac-12 corners.
  • Lucas (76.8) and Jones (75.0) are the first and second-highest graded corners in the Pac-12 in run defense (min. 200 snaps) and 29th and 45th among all FBS corners. 
  • Among Pac-12 corners with at least five targets this season, Lucas (125) and Jones (149) have allowed the sixth and seventh-fewest yards in coverage in the league.

IN THE TRENCHES

  • Among Pac-12 offensive linemen with 150 snaps in pass protection this year, Kellen Diesch is third in the league and tops among tackles with just two pressures credited to him. Henry Hattis and LaDarius Henderson are fourth in the Pac-12 and third among guards with just three pressures allowed. Dohnovan West is tops among the league's centers with just three pressures allowed as well. 
  • All told, the ASU has allowed just 29 quarterback pressures this year - 11 fewer than any other Pac-12 school and 9th-fewest in the FBS (though triple option offenses Air Force and Army ranks first and second). 
  • Only four of those pressures have come unblocked, tied for the second-lowest total in the FBS.
  • ASU has allowed a pressure on just 17.7 percent of quarterback dropbacks this year, the fifth-lowest total in the FBS.
  • ASU quarterbacks have been knocked down just seven times this season - fourth-fewest in the nation behind Georgia and triple options Army/Air Force.
  • ASU has allowed just seven sacks - tied for the 21st lowest total in the FBS.
  • The team has a 85.2 percent score as a pass-blocking unit, over 10 points higher than any other Pac-12 school and second in the FBS.
  • Kellen Diesch is currently the highest graded offensive player in the Pac-12 (90.6), regardless of position, and the 10th-highest graded player overall in the FBS. He is the highest-graded offensive lineman as both a run- and pass-blocker this year and 6th and 4th among all tackles in the FBS in those roles, respectively. 
  • Ben Scott is the third-highest graded tackle as a pass-blockers and fourth-highest graed tackles in the Pac-12 overall this year.
  • Dohnovan West is the highest graded pass blocking center in the Pac-12 (19th among FBS centers) and LaDarius Henderson is the eighth-highest graded pass-blocking guard in the league (20th among FBS guards).

HOLD THE LINE

  • Since the start of last season, the Sun Devil defensive line (only down linemen and ends) has forced a quarterback pressure on 42.6 percent of opponent passing plays - the sixth-highest in the FBS in that span. This feat is made more impressive considering ASU has blitzed just 21.2 percent of snaps in that time - 19th-fewest nationally.
  • This season alone, the Sun Devil linemen have caused a pressure 41.5 percent of the time - 11th in the FBS on just a 24.1 blitz percentage. 
  • As an entire team, ASU has forced a QB pressure 50.5 percent of the time - good for 24th in the FBS.
  • ASU has 21 sacks on the season, the eighth-most in the FBS and seven more than any other team in the league. The team is averaging 7.0 tackles for loss per game, good for 25th in the nation and second in the Pac-12.
  • The group tallied 70 total quarterback pressures last year, sixth in the league but a 17.5 pressure per game average along the line that was easily tops in the league.
  • D.J. Davidson is the Pac-12's third-highest graded interior lineman overall (76.8)  - 22nd in the FBS - and highest graded interior linemen in run defense this year (82.0) - 11th in the FBS.
  • Davidson is credited with 16 defensive "stops" on run defense, third in the nation among interior linemen.
  • Tyler Johnson is ASU's active leader in tackles for loss (25.5) and sacks (14.5). He needs 4.5 more sacks to move into the Top-10 in ASU history.
  • Johnson has forced a QB pressure on 13.6 percent of his pass rush snaps this season - the fifth best mark among Pac-12 edge defenders (min. 75 pass rush snaps).
  • Johnson was named the Walter Camp National Defender of the Week for his effort against Stanford, as well as the Pac-12 Defensive Lineman of the Week. He finished with five total tackles (four solo), 3.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks in a dominant effort and was also credited with a key forced fumble.
  • Johnson was the 7th-highest graded defender in Pac-12 overall according to PFF and the 2nd-best among edge defenders (77.8). His 6 QB pressures were the most in the Pac-12 for the week (14th in FBS). Johnson managed to force a pressure on 18.8 percent of his snaps, most in the Pac-12 (18th in FBS).

NO IFS, ANDS OR BUTLERS

  • Darien Butler is the second-highest graded linebacker in the Pac-12 (79.2), and the 12th-highest graded linebacker in the league.
  • Butler is tied for the team lead with 39 tackles this season, leading the squad with 6.0 tackles for loss - third-most in the Pac-12. He has 12 tackles for loss OR no gain, tied for the most among all FBS linebackers.
  • Butler has 23 defensive stops on the year, good for second among the league's backers.
  • Butler is the Pac-12's highest graded linebacker in coverage at 84.8 - sixth among all LBs in the nation.
  • Butler, Robertson and Soelle have combined for 48 defensive stops this year, the most among a team's primary trio of linebackers in the Pac-12. The trio holds the top three tackle spots on ASU's roster with 108 total tackles representing 29.3 of ASU's total tackles for the year.

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