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Sun Devil Football Returns to Action With Homecoming Tilt Versus WSU

by thesundevils.com
Oct 27, 2021

THE GAME -  Sun Devil Football returns to action following its bye week with a contest against the Washington State Cougars on Saturday, Oct. 30 at Noon AZT at Sun Devil Stadium. The contest will be broadcast nationally on FS1 (Cory Provus and Mark Helfrich on the call) and available over the airwaves locally on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM (Tim Healey, Jeff Van Raaphorst, Jordan Simone, Jeff Munn).

ON WASHINGTON STATE - The Cougars have won three straight Pac-12 games and sit third in the Pac-12 North, one game back of Oregon and Oregon State. The Cougars had a hard-fought non-conference setback against BYU last weekend in a 21-19 loss in Pullman last weekend. WSU has won two of the last three in the series against the Sun Devils but ASU leads the all-time series 28-14-2.  

KICKING OFF

  • The will mark ASU's first day game of the season. All seven previous 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 151 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 37 rushing touchdowns in its last 10 games - the most of any FBS team over their most recent 10-game stretch ahead of Air Force (36).
  • ASU has forced 46 turnovers in its last 18 games dating back to 2019, good for second-most in the nation over an 18-game span (Iowa, 45).
  • 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 24.9 yard line - the fifth-worst starting field position for opponents in the FBS.
  • ASU has rushed for 148 or more yards in 11 straight games dating back to 2020. It is the longest such streak since a 12-game span between 1975-76.
  • Against FBS opponents in non-garbage time, ASU has a +1.75 yards per play advantage between its offensive yards gained per play and defensive yards allowed per play. The net positive is ninth-highest in the nation. 
  • ASU's offense is averaging 7.03 yards per play on the season (against FBS opponents in non-garbage time) - good for 10th in the FBS. 
  • ASU's offense has earned 61.5 percent of the total yards available this season - the eighth-best tally in the FBS. The team is deadly with a short field (from its own 40 inwards), gaining 86.8 percent of the total yards available - third-most in the FBS.
  • The last time ASU gave up a 50-yard play was a rush by UCLA's Britain Brown in 2020, giving ASU a streak of nine straight games without a 50-yard play allowed. It last gave up a 50-yard passing play in the 2019 Sun Bowl against Florida State, marking 11 straight games without a passing play over 50 yards.

AN ASU VICTORY WOULD...

Keep ASU tied, record-wise, for first place in the Pac-12

Mark ASU's best eight-game record since starting the 2014 seasons 7-1

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

RUSHING YARDS

240--Jerome Harrison, WSU/ASU 27, @WSU 24/Nov. 5, 2005 

193--Rich Swinton, WSU/ASU 31, @WSU 28/Oct. 22, 1988

165--J.R. Redmond, ASU/@ASU 33, WSU 21/Oct. 23, 1999

PASSING YARDS

601--Luke Falk, WSU/@#13 ASU 52, WSU 31/Nov. 22, 2014

534--Paul Justin, ASU/@ASU 44, WSU 39/Oct. 28, 1989

494--Connor Holiday, WSU/@WSU 37, ASU 27/Nov. 12, 2011

RECEIVING YARDS

277--Ron Fair, ASU/@ASU 44, WSU 39/Oct. 28, 1989

255--Deron Pointer, WSU/@WSU 44, ASU 25/Oct. 9, 1993

252--Vince Mayle, WSU/@#13 ASU 52, WSU 31/Nov. 22, 2014

TACKLES

20--Anthony McClanahan, WSU/@WSU 20, ASU 18/Nov. 7, 1992

20--Brandon Moore, WSU/@ASU 44, WSU 31/Nov. 1, 1997

18--Artie Holmes, WSU/ASU 21, @WSU 16/Oct. 26, 1985

MILESTONE WATCH

21 rushing yards by Jayden Daniels to reach 1,000 in his career (Currently at 979)

97 rushing yards by Rachaad White to reach 1,000 in his ASU career (Currently at 903)

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)

#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 24.9 - the fifth-worst starting field position in the country.

2. ASU has held opponents to less than 30 points in 26 of 37 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 38 first downs (26 rushing, 12 receiving) are third among all Pac-12 players this season with the 12 receiving first downs third among all FBS backs.

4. Darien Butler's three interceptions are the most for an ASU linebacker since Mike Nixon had three in 2009. 

5. ASU has converted 87.5 percent of its opportunities (14-of-16) with one or two yards to go on third down - seventh-best in the FBS.

6. When rushing on third down, Jayden Daniels has picked up a first down or touchdown 57.7 percent of the time (52 attempts) - 7th among FBS quarterbacks since 2019.

7.  ASU's offensive line has allowed a quarterback pressure on just 22.0 percent of dropbacks this year, the seventh-lowest tally in the FBS.

8. ASU is ninth in the FBS in allowing just 7.8 second-half points per game against its FBS opponents. 

9. The Sun Devils are the only FBS team to not allow a 40-yard play this season. The team has not allowed a 50-yard pass since the Sun Bowl to end 2019.

10. ASU has rushed for over 148 yards in 11 straight games dating back to last season, its longest streak since a 12-game span from 1975-76.

BY THE NUMBERS
50 - ASU has allowed just seven plays over 50 yards to opponents since the 2018 season over 37 games. The .19 50+ yard plays per game allowed are 2nd-fewest in the FBS in that time behind only Washington (.13 per game on 5 plays over 38 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 (1.3 per game/37 games)). For perspective, from 2014-17, ASU gave up 38, 44, 40, 40 such plays, respectively ranked 116th, 124th, 117th and 119th. ASU is the only FBS team this year to not allow a 40-yard play.

46 - ASU has forced 46 turnovers in its last 18 games dating back to 2019, good for the most in the nation over a 18-game span (Iowa, 45). ASU has forced 51 offensive turnovers overall since 2019, 15th among all FBS teams despite playing significantly fewer games than most schools in 2020. thus year. The team is ninth in the FBS with 10 interceptions this season. Conversely the team is tied for 13th in the FBS with just three interceptions of its own, notable as ASU entered the season having finished in the top-25 in fewest interceptions each season since 2018, only of only three teams with such a claim (triple options Army and Navy).

37 - ASU's 37 rushing touchdowns over its last 10 games are the most in the FBS over a 10-game span ahead Air Force's triple option offense (36). ASU has 22 rushing touchdowns this season, good for eighth in the nation. ASU had 10-straight games dating back to 2020 with over 150 rushing yards before that streak was ended against Utah, where the team finished two yards shy at 148. It was 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 is 33rd nationally and third in the Pac-12 with 200.1 rushing yards per game this season.

32 - All told, the ASU offensive line has allowed just 32 quarterback pressures this year - 15 fewer than any other Pac-12 school and 14th-fewest in the FBS (though triple option offenses Air Force and Army rank first and second). Only six pressures this season have come unblocked, tied for the second-lowest total in the FBS.. ASU has allowed a pressure on just 22.0 percent of quarterback dropbacks this year, the seventh-lowest total in the FBS.ASU quarterbacks have been knocked down just 11 times this season - fourth-fewest in the nation behind Georgia, Army and Baylor. Kellen Diesch, LaDarius Henderson and Dohnovan West are tied for 13th among all FBS linemen with just 3 QB pressures.

26 - ASU has held opponents to less than 30 points in 26 of 37 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 1.87 points per drive against FBS opponents, good for 36th in the nation. Currently, ASU is 22nd in the FBS and first in the Pac-12 in allowing just 18.9 points per game. Even after the second-half debacle at Utah, ASU is ninth in the FBS in allowing just 7.8 second-half points per game against its FBS opponents. ASU is outscoring teams 92-54 in the second half of games this year and 47-23 in the fourth quarter. 

7 - ASU's offense is averaging 7.03 yards per play on the season (against FBS opponents in non-garbage time) - good for 10th in the FBS. Against FBS opponents, the Sun Devils pick up at least four yards per play on 70.9 percent of plays (3rd in the FBS) and gain at least seven yards on 45.5 percent of plays (5th in the FBS). The team is averaging 2.96 points per drive on the year against FBS opponents - 20th best in the FBS. When the team starts between its own 20-40 yard lines, it averages 3.30 points per drive against FBS teams - the seventh-best tally in the nation.

DANNNGGGGG DANIELS

  • Jayden Daniels is currently the highest graded quarterback in the Pac-12 this season (88.8) - and the second-highest graded offensive player in the league regardless of position. The tally marks him as the 28th-highest graded player in the nation, regardless of position, and 14th among QBs.
  • Daniels is currently 19th in the nation and tops in the league in yards per attempt at 8.96. 
  • His 69.0 completion percentage is 15th in the nation (min. 150 attempts) and is tops in the league while he has posted an incredible 79.6 percent adjusted completion percentage (accounting for drops), which is 8th in the FBS.
  • Daniels is accounting for 268.9 total yards of offense per game this year, 27th nationally and second in the Pac-12.
  • Daniels is 19th in the FBS since 2019 in fourth quarter passing yards (1,155) while his 10 touchdown passes in the final frame are tied for 16th.
  • Daniels has an NFL passer rating of 112.2 in the fourth quarter of games, fifth-highest among FBS quarterbacks since 2019 (min. 150 dropbacks). 
  • Since 2019, Daniels is first in the FBS in yards per pass attempt with 11+ yards to go (min. 50 attempts) at 11.5 ypa while he is second in yards per completion in the category (17.8 on 1085 yards and 61 catches). He has seven touchdown passes on third and very long, tied for second in the FBS since 2019. 
  • His NFL passer rating with over 11+ yards to go since 2019 is 124.6, good for first in the nation since 2019.
  • Among players with at least 400 passing attempts since 2019, Jayden Daniels ranks tied for first in fewest interceptions with just six on 590 attempts (1.0 percent of his throws). He has the 14th highest NFL QBR in that time at 101.9.
  • 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 fourth among FBS quarterbacks in yards per attempt on third down at 9.0 (1,331 yards on 148 attempts).
  • Among Power Five quarterbacks with at least 100 third-down attempts since 2019, Daniels is 12th with an NFL quarterback rating of 99.8.

JAY WALKING

  • As a rusher, Jayden Daniels has a grade of 80.2, good for first among quarterbacks in the league and sixth overall. He is the 10th-highest graded quarterback as a rusher this season.
  • Daniels has forced 23 missed tackles this season, seventh among FBS QBs. His 452 rushing yards before sacks are tied for 15th among FBS quarterbacks.
  • He has 20 explosive runs (10+), fifth 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 979 career rushing yards with sacks included, meaning he needs just 21 to reach the thousand-yard 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) - 7th among FBS quarterbacks since 2019.
  • His 8.1 yards per carry when rushing on third down are 10th among FBS quarterbacks since 2019. He has 19 explosive third down runs (runs of 10+ yards) good for sixth among FBS quarterbacks since 2019.

RUSH HOUR

  • ASU's 37 rushing touchdowns over its last 10 games are the most in the FBS over a 10-game span ahead Air Force's triple option offense (36). ASU has 22 rushing touchdowns this season, good for eighth in the nation.
  • ASU had 10-straight games dating back to 2020 with over 150 rushing yards before that streak was ended against Utah, where the team finished two yards shy at 148. It was 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 13 games dating back to 2019. ASU has gone over 250 yards rushing in 5 of the last 10 games. In the Herm Edwards era,  ASU has rushed for 200 or more yards 12 times and 250+ yards 10 times.
  • ASU is 33rd nationally and third in the Pac-12 with 200.1 rushing yards per game this season.
  • ASU's success this season has come in large part by its receivers grinding on the outside with wide receiver group of of Johnny Wilson, Andre Johnson, Bryan Thompson and Ricky Pearsall ranking as the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 25th highest-graded receivers as run blockers in the entire FBS.
  • Kellen Diesch checks in as the 22nd-highest graded run blocker in the nation and 12th among tackles. He has the second-highest grade as a run blocker, regardless of position, in the Pac-12.
  • Additionally, Case Hatch and Curtis Hodges have the second and third best run-blocking score amongst tight ends in the Pac-12 (75.0 and 74.9), with Hatch checking in as the 30th-highest graded tight end run blocker in the FBS.
  • As a team, ASU has the 14th-highest graded run blocking group in the FBS (77.1).

THE PRICE IS WHITE

  • Rachaad White had his streak of posting a rushing touchdown in eight straight games dating back to last season and has multiple in five of those ended against Utah. His nine rushing touchdowns this season are still 18th in the country and second in the league.
  • White has multiple touchdowns in six of his 11 games at ASU and has at least one touchdown in nine of those 11 games with the Devils.
  • He has been a workhorse for ASU, third among Pac-12 running backs with 113 touches this season (86 rushing, 27 receiving). His 262 total snaps are also third among Pac-12 running backs. 
  • White is the second-highest graded running back in the Pac-12 this season (83.6) and the 11th-highest graded one in the FBS.
  • White has rushed for 26 first downs this season, fourth among Pac-12 backs. However, he has added 12 first downs as a receiver - third among all FBS running backs.  His 38 total first downs are the third-most of any player in the league.
  • 67.7 percent of White's yards have come after contact this season - the 7th-most in the Pac-12.
  • He is also the highest graded running back in the league as a receiver (78.4) and 6th-highest graded in the category nationally among backs. 
  • His 30 targets in the passing game are three more than any other Pac-12 player and seventh among running backs nationally. His 27 receptions are four more than any other Pac-12 back and sixth among FBS running backs.
  • White has 295 yards after the catch (think catches behind the line of scrimmage) - 101 more yards than any other Pac-12 back and the fourth-highest tally of any FBS running back this season.
  • He has also forced eight 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 40 carries this season, Trayanum has the second-lowest "stuff rate" in the league at just 2.4 percent. 
  • Daniyel Ngata has 15 first downs on his 38 attempts this season and has a first down/touchdown on 42.1 percent of his touches - the highest tally in the Pac-12.
  • Ngata has 11 explosive rushes (rushes of 10+ yards) on his 38 attempts - the 10th-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 in non-garbage time, ASU has a +1.75 yards per play advantage between its offensive yards gained per play and defensive yards allowed per play. The net positive is ninth-highest in the nation. 
  • ASU's offense is averaging 7.03 yards per play on the season (against FBS opponents in non-garbage time) - good for 10th in the FBS. 
  • Against FBS opponents, the Sun Devils pick up at least four yards per play on 70.9 percent of plays (3rd in the FBS) and gain at least seven yards on 45.5 percent of plays (5th in the FBS).
  • The team is averaging 2.96 points per drive on the year against FBS opponents - 20th best in the FBS. When the team starts between its own 20-40 yard lines, it averages 3.30 points per drive against FBS teams - the seventh-best tally in the nation.
  • ASU's offense has earned 61.5 percent of the total yards available this season - the eighth-best tally in the FBS. The team is deadly with a short field (from its own 40 inwards), gaining 86.8 percent of the total yards available - third-most in the FBS.
  • The Sun Devils are 32nd in the FBS with 39 plays over 20 yards this season - tops in the Pac-12.
  • According to CFB-Graphs.com, ASU's Expected Points Added (EPA) per offensive play average is .247 - good for 10th in the FBS. The site credits ASU's offense with a positive play 49.0 percent of the time - the eighth-best ratio in the nation.

THIRD TIMES THE CHARM

  • ASU has a third-down conversion rate of 50.0 against FBS opponents, good for eigth in the country.
  • The team is especially deadly on third-and-short, converting 87.5 percent of its opportunities (14-of-16) with one or two yards to go on third down - seventh-best in the FBS.
  • Oddly enough, ASU is also exceptional at third and long (7+ yards to go), converting 12 of 37 chances - a 32.4 mark that is 11th-best in the FBS.

A HAND IN THE COOKIE JAR

  • ASU has forced 46 turnovers in its last 18 games dating back to 2019, good for the most in the nation over a 18-game span (Iowa, 45).
  • ASU has forced 51 offensive turnovers overall since 2019, 15th 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 809-406 in points off takeaways since 2012. 
  • Since 2012, ASU has scored 63.6 percent of the time following an opponent turnover (136 of 214) while finding the end zone 100 times in that span (46.7 percent).
  • Conversely, opponents have scored just 47.6 percent of the time following an ASU turnover since 2012 (69 of 145) with 52 touchdowns (35.9 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 (since 2018), alongside triple-option offenses from Air Force and Navy.  The Sun Devils are currently tied for 13th in 2021 with only three this season.

LOCKING IT DOWN

  • ASU is the only team in the country to not allow an opponent play over 40 yards this year, notable as the second place teams have given up two.  The team has the second-fewest 30+ yard plays allowed with just six.
  • The Sun Devils are 22nd in the FBS and first in the league in allowing just 320.4 yards of offense per game. 
  • ASU 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) 16.7 percent of the time - 26th best in the FBS.
  • The Sun Devil defense has been credited with just 64 missed tackles this year - the 20th-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 37 games. The .19 50+ yard plays per game allowed are second-fewest in the FBS in that time behind only Washington (.13 per game on 5 plays over 38 games). ASU ranked in the bottom 10 nationally in 50+ yards played allowed each year from 2014-17.
  • The last time ASU gave up a 50-yard play was a rush by UCLA's Britain Brown in 2020, giving ASU a streak of nine straight games without a 50-yard play allowed. It last gave up a 50-yard passing play in the 2019 Sun Bowl against Florida State, marking 11 straight games without a passing play over 50 yards.
  • 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 (1.3 per game/37 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 1.87 points per drive against FBS opponents, good for 36th in the nation.
  • Currently, ASU is 22nd in the FBS and first in the Pac-12 in allowing just 18.9 points per game. 
  • 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).
  • Even after the second-half debacle at Utah, ASU is ninth in the FBS in allowing just 7.8 second-half points per game against its FBS opponents. ASU is outscoring teams 92-54 in the second half of games this year and 47-23 in the fourth quarter. 
  • Since 2019, ASU has allowed an opponent scoring drive just 82 times on 287 drives, a 28.6 score percentage that is the 20th-lowest in the FBS.
  • Since 2019, ASU has held opponents to a 24.8 scoring drive percentage in the second half of games (36 of 145) - the ninth-lowest in the FBS.
  • The Sun Devils have allowed just 104 offensive touchdowns (2.8 per game/37 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 48 second-half touchdowns to opponents since 2018 - 16th fewest in the FBS. It has allowed just 30 second half touchdowns since 2019 - 11th-fewest in the FBS.
  • ASU has held opponents to less than 30 points in 26 of 37 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), good for 11th among Power Five teams. ASU is forcing one of these coverage sacks on 9.0 percent of opponent pass attempts - the 10th-highest percentage in the FBS.
  • The Sun Devils have forced three or more interceptions in 5 of the last 13 games dating back to 2019. ASU is tied for 9th in the FBS this season with 10. 
  • 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 86 "open" targets allowed this year - the 5th-lowest tally among Power Five teams. Opponents have an open target just 39.7 percent of the time - tied for sixth-lowest in the Power Five.
  • Opponents have an NFL quarterback rating of just 69.5 this season - 6th-lowest in the Power Five.
  • ASU is 23rd in the nation in allowing just 190.7 passing yards per game.
  • ASU's coverage has a forced incompletion rate of 11.0 percent - 8th in the Power Five.
  • Since 2020, ASU has allowed an explosive passing play (15+ yards) just 12.0 percent of the time (55 on 458 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. In total, ASU has held six of seven opponents under 250 passing yards this year.

JACK OF ALL TRADES AND THE THRILL OF THE CHASE

  • Jack Jones is allowing just a 68.8 NFL QB rating when he is targeted this season, seventh among Pac-12 corners with at least 150 coverage stats.
  • His forced incompletion percentage of 17.1 is third among Pac-12 corners.
  • Jones has a 74.7 grade this season from PFF, sixth among Pac-12 corners.
  • 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 15 targets this season, Lucas (125) has allowed the sixth fewest yards.

IN THE TRENCHES

  • Among Pac-12 offensive linemen with 200 snaps in pass protection this year, Kellen Diesch is third in the league and tops among tackles with just three quarterback pressures credited to him. Sitting tied with him in third are teammates Ladarius Henderson (third among guards) and Dohnovan West (first among centers). The group is tied for 13th-fewest among all FBS offensive linemen. Henry Hattis has allowed just eight pressures, good for 8th in the league. 
  • All told, the ASU offensive line has allowed just 32 quarterback pressures this year - 15 fewer than any other Pac-12 school and 14th-fewest in the FBS (though triple option offenses Air Force and Army rank first and second). 
  • Only six pressures this season have come unblocked, tied for the second-lowest total in the FBS.
  • ASU has allowed a pressure on just 22.0 percent of quarterback dropbacks this year, the seventh-lowest total in the FBS.
  • ASU quarterbacks have been knocked down just 11 times this season - fourth-fewest in the nation behind Georgia, Army and Baylor.
  • The team has a 79.1 overall score as a pass blocking unit, sixth in the nation and second in the Pac-12.
  • Kellen Diesch is currently the third-highest graded offensive player in the Pac-12 (87.5), regardless of position, and the 8th-highest graded tackle overall in the FBS. He is the highest-graded tackle as both pass- and run-blocker this year and 4th and 12th among all tackles in the FBS in those roles, respectively. 
  • Dohnovan West is the 19th-highest graded pass blocking center in the FBS and LaDarius Henderson is the 14th-highest graded pass-blocking guard in college football

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 40.0 percent of opponent passing plays - the 11th-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 - 14th-lowest nationally.
  • ASU has 21 sacks on the season, the 21st-most in the FBS and tied for the most in the league. The team is averaging 6.4 tackles for loss per game, good for 19th in the nation and second in the Pac-12.
  • The line 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 (76.7)  - 30th in the FBS - and highest graded interior linemen in run defense this year (82.2) - 11th in the FBS.
  • Davidson is credited with 16 defensive "stops" on run defense, fifth in the nation among interior linemen.
  • Tyler Johnson is ASU's active leader in tackles for loss (27.5) 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 11.8 percent of his pass rush snaps this season - the sixth-best mark among Pac-12 edge defenders (min. 125 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 third-highest graded linebacker in the Pac-12 (76.3), and the 22nd-highest graded linebacker in the FBS.
  • Butler leads the team with 44 tackles this season, second on the the squad with 6.0 tackles for loss - ninth-most in the Pac-12. He has 14 tackles for loss OR no gain, tied for the most in the Pac-12.
  • Butler has 26 defensive stops on the year, good for fourth among the league's backers.
  • Butler is the Pac-12's highest graded linebacker in coverage at 86.1 - fourth among all LBs in the nation.
  • His three interceptions this season are the most for a linebacker at ASU since Mike Nixon had three in 2009.

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