# #

Sun Devil Football Concludes Regular Season With Territorial Cup Game

by thesundevils.com
Nov 24, 2021

THE GAME -  Sun Devil Football will conclude the regular season this weekend at home with the playing of the 95th Edition of the Territorial Cup Game against rival Arizona this Saturday, Nov. 27 at Sun Devil Stadium at 2 p.m. AZT. The contest will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network (Ted Robinson and Yogi Roth on the call) and available over the airwaves locally on 620 AM/98.7 FM HD-2 (Tim Healey, Jeff Van Raaphorst, Jeff Munn).

ON THE WILDCATS -  This will be the 95th Duel in the Desert, with Arizona leading the all-time series 49-44-1. The vast majority of those Wildcat wins came prior to 1950, however.  Since 1949, ASU holds a 43-29-1 record in the series. The winner of the game will receive (or retain) the Territorial Cup Trophy, and the game is recognized by the NCAA as the nation's oldest rivalry trophy game.

Arizona enters with a 1-10 record, having defeated Cal a couple weeks ago to end the nation's then-longest losing streak at 20 games. The Wildcats have played teams tough this year with four one-possession losses and a couple more that were closer than the final score would indicate heading into the final frame. The Sun Devils defeated Arizona in historic fashion in Tucson last year, with a 70-7 victory - the second most point in a single game in program history and the most allowed by Arizona since 78 against USC in 1928. 

KICKING OFF

  • Our game notes erroneously stated last week that Chase Lucas had broke ASU's all-time career starts record with his 48th start against Oregon State. Jeremy Hawkes apologizes for this oversight. The record is held by Dexter Davis at 50 career games, a mark Lucas can still match with starts this weekend and in the bowl game. 
  • The Sun Devils have won four straight in the series and 8 of the last 11 contests. The four-game streak is the longest in the series since Arizona won five straight from 1982-1986. In fact, since 1990, this is only the third time either team in the series has won three or more games in a row. It is the Sun Devils' longest streak since winning four in a row from 1975-1978.
  • ASU has won four straight Territorial Cups in Tempe with the last Wildcat victory at Sun Devil Stadium coming in 2011. 
  • Both teams this year have held three opponents under 100 passing yards in a game - oddly both doing so for the first time in a single season since both teams had three such games in 1996. 
  • ASU has rushed for at least 100 yards as a team in 15 straight games, keeping the streak alive by the skin of its teeth with exactly 100 rushing yards on Saturday. It is the longest streak of rushing for over 100 yards as a team since the last 10 games of 1995 and the first 11 of 1996 - a 21-game stretch over two seasons.
  • ASU has held opponents to 400 yards or less in 9 of 11 games this season. That surpasses the total for the 2020 season (7 in 13 games). Under Herm Edwards, ASU has held opponents to the 400 or less mark for total offensive yards on 23 occasions over 41 games (56.1 percent of the time). For comparison, ASU accomplished the feat just 24 times in the 65 previous games (36.9 percent) from 2013-2017.

AN ASU VICTORY WOULD...

  • Give the Sun Devils five-straight victories over their rival, the longest streak in the series since Arizona won five in a row from 1982-86 and the most for ASU against the Wildcats since winning nine straight from 1965-73
  • Give ASU 9 wins in the last 12 games of the series
  • Improve ASU to 17-9 in the series since 1996
  • Give ASU its best record to end the regular season (8-4) since 2014 (9-3)

SUN DEVIL FOOTBALL AWARD BANQUET
Join us on Sunday, Dec. 5, at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn for the Football Awards Banquet, Presented by Force Capital Partners. This signature event includes the team's awards ceremony, a silent and live auction and dinner. For more information visit sundevilclub.com.

NOTABLE SERIES NUMBERS - ARIZ

RUSHING YARDS

288-Trung Canidate, UA (18 carries, 3 TDS)--@UA 50, ASU 42/Nov. 27, 1998

192-Woody Green, ASU (25 carries, 1 TD)--@ASU 55, UA 19/Nov. 24, 1973

187-Art Malone, ASU (35 carries, 2 TDs)--ASU 30, @UA 7/Nov. 30, 1968

PASSING YARDS

511-Ryan Kealy, ASU (33-56, 4 TDs)--@UA 50, ASU 42/Nov. 27, 1998

487-Brock Osweiler, ASU (36-65, 1 TD)--UA 31, @ASU 27/Nov. 19, 2011

437-Jeff Van Raaphorst, ASU (38-55-2TDs)--@UA 34, ASU 17/Nov. 22, 1986

RECEIVING YARDS

199 (11/1)-Gerell Robinson, ASU--UA 31, @ASU 27/Nov. 19, 2011

194 (9/0)-Larry Todd, ASU--@UA 30, ASU 6/Nov. 28, 1964

191 (10/1)-Aaron Cox, ASU--@UA 34, ASU 17/Nov. 22, 1986

TACKLES

21 (11 solo)-Marcus Bell, UA--@UA 50, ASU 42/Nov. 27, 1998

21 (7 solo)-Mark Tingstad, ASU--UA 28, ASU 18/Nov. 26, 1988

20 (12 solo)-Marcus Bell, UA--@ASU 42, UA 27/Nov. 27, 1999

MILESTONE WATCH

  • 220 passing yards by Jayden Daniels to reach 6,000 in his career (Currently at 5,780)
  • 1 rushing touchdown by Rachaad White to move into a tie for 6th in ASU single season history (needs 15, currently at 14. School record is 19)
  • 2 rushing touchdowns by Rachaad White to move into a tie for 5th in ASU single season history (needs 16, currently at 14. School record is 19)

#10THINGS (Twitter-Friendly Notes)

1. Chase Lucas is one of just 5 Pac-12 corners with 200+ coverage snaps to not allow a TD this year, despite being targeted the most of any corner in the Pac-12 (20.4 percent).

2. ASU has held opponents to less than 30 points in 28 of 41 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 is second among Pac-12 running backs with 206 touches this season (166 rushing, 40 receiving including nullified plays) - just four off the Pac-12 lead despite missing a game. 

4. Darien Butler has 17 tackles for loss OR no gain, second-most in the Pac-12 and Top-10 among all FBS linebackers - despite missing a game.

5. ASU has converted 84.0 percent of its opportunities (21-of-25) with one or two yards to go on third down - third-best in the FBS.

6. When rushing on third down, Jayden Daniels has picked up a first down or touchdown 54.8 percent of the time (min. 50 attempts) - 8th among FBS quarterbacks since 2019.

7.  ASU has held opponents to 400 yards or less in 23 of 41 games under Edwards. It accomplished that just 24 of the previous 65 games dating back to 2013.

8. ASU is sixth in the FBS in allowing just 7.9 second-half points per game against its FBS opponents. 

9. The Sun Devils lead the nation in allowing just two plays over 40 yards this season and are the only team not to allow a 50-yard play on the year. ASU's 13 straight games without a 50-yard play allowed are the longest in the FBS.

10. Opponents have an NFL QBR rating of just 73.8 this season against the ASU defense, the seventh-lowest total in the FBS.

BY THE NUMBERS

52 - ASU has forced 52 turnovers in its last 22 games dating back to 2019, good for second-most in the nation over a 22-game span behind Iowa (55). ASU has forced 59 offensive turnovers overall since 2019, 15th among all FBS teams despite playing significantly fewer games than most schools in 2020. ASU has outscored opponents 830-444 in points off takeaways since 2012. Since 2012, ASU has scored 63.2 percent of the time following an opponent turnover (139 of 220) while finding the end zone 103 times in that span (46.8 percent). ASU's 20 pick-sixes since 2012 are sixth in the FBS. 

50 - ASU has allowed just seven plays over 50 yards to opponents since the 2018 season over 41 games. The .17 50+ yard plays per game allowed are 2nd-fewest in the FBS in that time behind only Washington (.12 per game on 5 plays over 42 games). ASU ranked in the bottom 10 nationally in 50+ yards played allowed each year from 2014-17. The last 50-yard play allowed was a rush by UCLA's Britain Brown in 2020, giving ASU a streak of 13 straight games without a 50-yard play allowed. That is the longest active streak in the entire FBS. ASU has gone 15 games without a 50-yard passing play.

45 - ASU's 45 rushing touchdowns over its last 14 games are the second-most in the FBS over a 14-game span behind only triple-option Army (50), which has had 12 rushing touchdowns in its last two games to pull ahead. Arizona State's 31 rushing touchdowns this season are the most it has had since 2013 (36). If the team gets to 37, it would be the most by a Sun Devil team since 41 in 1973. ASU has rushed for at least 100 yards as a team in 15 straight games. It is the longest streak of rushing for over 100 yards as a team since the last 10 games of 1995 and the first 11 of 1996 - a 21-game stretch over two seasons.

28 - ASU has held opponents to less than 30 points in 28 of 41 games under Herm Edwards, notable as it DID allow 30+ in 32 of 43 previous games dating back in a span from 2013-17. Currently, ASU is 32nd in the FBS and third in the Pac-12 in allowing just 21.5 points per game. ASU is sixth in the FBS in allowing just 7.9 second-half points per game against its FBS opponents. ASU is outscoring teams 161-86 in the second half of games this year and 103-42 in the fourth quarter. The Sun Devils have allowed just 117 offensive touchdowns (2.9 per game/41 games) since Herm Edwards assumed the reins in 2018.

8 - ASU has eight occasions this season in which it has held an opponent to less than 100 yards rushing AND/OR less than 100 yards passing (5 games under 100 yards rushing/3 games under 100 yards passing) - the most total sub-100 stat lines in one category or the other are the most since 2002. The three games holding opponents under 100 passing yards marks the first time that has happened since doing it thrice in 1996. ASU has held opponents to the 400 or less mark for total offensive yards on 23 occasions over 41 games under Herm Edwards It did so just 24 times in 65 games from 2013-17.

1 - Rachaad White is the highest graded running back in the FBS this season (90.8), according to PFF. He has been a workhorse for ASU, second among Pac-12 running backs with 206 touches this season (166 rushing, 40 receiving including nullified plays) - just four off the Pac-12 lead despite missing a game. His 454 total snaps are good for second among Pac-12 running backs and just seven off the league lead - again despite missing a game. White has rushed for 52 first downs this season, 5th among Pac-12 backs. However, he has added 21 first downs as a receiver - nine more than any Pac-12 running back and tied for the most all FBS running backs (Kansas State's Deuce Vaughn).

RUSH HOUR

  • ASU's 45 rushing touchdowns over its last 14 games are the second-most in the FBS over a 14-game span behind only triple-option Army (50), which has had 12 rushing touchdowns in its last two games to pull ahead
  • Arizona State's 31 rushing touchdowns this season are the most it has had since 2013 (36). If the team gets to 37, it would be the most by a Sun Devil team since 41 in 1973.
  • ASU has rushed for at least 100 yards as a team in 15 straight games. It is the longest streak of rushing for over 100 yards as a team since the last 10 games of 1995 and the first 11 of 1996 - a 21-game stretch over two seasons.
  • As a team, ASU has been stuffed at or behind the line of scrimmage just 5.9 percent of the time - seventh-lowest among Power Five schools. The team is picking up a first down or touchdown on 32.1 percent of its rushes - good for 11th in the Power Five.
  • The team has 79 explosive runs (runs over 10 yards) - 13th in the FBS. 
  • 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 9 of its last 17 games dating back to 2019. ASU has gone over 250 yards rushing in 7 of the last 14 games. In the Herm Edwards era,  ASU has rushed for 200 or more yards 14 times and 250+ yards 12 times.
  • ASU is 28th nationally and fourth in the Pac-12 with 200.0 yards per game.

THE PRICE IS WHITE

  • ??Rachaad White has multiple touchdowns in 8 of his 14 games at ASU and has at least one touchdown in 11 of those 14 games with the Devils.
  • White now has 21 touchdowns in his career (19 rushing, two receiving) in just 14 games played (1.6 per game).
  • Even missing a game this year, White has 14 rushing touchdowns, good for 10th in the FBS and second in the Pac-12.  The total ties him with Marion Grice (14 in 2013) for the seventh-most rushing touchdowns in single-season program history as he sets his sights on the school record of 19 by Woody Green in 1972.
  • He has been a workhorse for ASU, second among Pac-12 running backs with 206 touches this season (166 rushing, 40 receiving including nullified plays) - just four off the Pac-12 lead despite missing a game. His 454 total snaps are good for second among Pac-12 running backs and just seven off the league lead - again despite missing a game.  
  • White is the second-highest graded player, regardless of position, overall in the Pac-12 this season (90.8) and the highest graded running back in the FBS.
  • White has rushed for 52 first downs this season, 5th among Pac-12 backs. However, he has added 21 first downs as a receiver - nine more than any Pac-12 running back and tied for the most all FBS running backs (Kansas State's Deuce Vaughn).
  • He is averaging 3.6 yards after contact per attempt on the year, good for 5th in the Pac-12 and 38th among all FBS running backs with at least 100 attempts. 
  • He is also the highest graded running back in the league as a receiver (87.7 - second among all Pac-12 players regardless of position) and 2nd-highest graded in the category nationally among backs. 
  • His 46 targets in the passing game are tops among Pac-12 backs despite his missed game and 6th among running backs nationally. His 40 receptions are four more than any other Pac-12 back and 6th among FBS running backs.
  • White has 408 yards after the catch (think catches behind the line of scrimmage) - over 100 more yards than any other Pac-12 back and the 4th-highest tally of any FBS running back this season.
  • He has also forced 15 misses tackles as a receiver - second among FBS backs. His 38 missed tackles on running plays are 5th among Pac-12 running backs.

RUSH-AAD

  • Rachaad White's 386 rushing yards against USC and Washington were the second-most by an FBS player over a two-week span this season. (Tyler Allgeirer, 457 yards - Week 8, BYU at WSU 32 carries, 191 yards, 2 TDs; Week 9, BYU vs UVA 9 carries, 266 yards, 5 TDs)
  • It was the most yards over a two-game stretch by a Pac-12 running back since J.J. Taylor (Arizona) had 404 rushing yards in games against Oregon and Colorado in 2018 (10/27-11/2).
  • Rachaad White had himself a day with career highs in carries (28) and yards (202) against USC and matching his career best with three touchdowns on the ground. He topped the carries mark with 32 against Washington.
  • The efforts earned him Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week recognition as well as being the Rose Bowl's National Player of the Week in back-to-back weekends.
  • More on the USC outing: White is one of only 14 running backs in the FBS to rush for over 200 yards against a Power 5 opponent this season. White was the first player to rush for over 200 yards since Eno Benjamin's school record 312 yards against Oregon State in 2018. It was the 22nd instance of a Sun Devil rushing for over 200 yards in program history and the 16th individual to reach the milestone. The 202 yards were the third-most in the 38 games played in the series between the two teams.It was the first time USC had allowed a 200-yard rusher since UCLA Josh Kelly in 2018 (289). He was the first player to rush for over 100 yards (102) in the first half since Benjamin against USC in 2018. He was also the first ASU player with two rushing touchdowns over 47 yards since Benjamin in that same USC game in 2018.
  • More on the UW outing: His 184 rushing yards were the seventh-best ever by a Sun Devil back in a road Pac-12 game. White recorded all three of ASU's third-down conversions in the game, all three of which were in the fourth quarter.White also recorded both of ASU's fourth-down conversions in the game, which also both came in the fourth quarter.

DANNNGGGGG DANIELS

  • Jayden Daniels' 66.2 completion percentage is 15th in the nation (min. 200 attempts) and is tops in the league while he has posted 75.3 percent adjusted completion percentage (accounting for drops), which is 15th in the FBS.
  • Daniels has an NFL passer rating of 104.3 in the fourth quarter of games, 8th-highest among FBS quarterbacks since 2019 (min. 100 attempts). 
  • Since 2019, Daniels is second in the FBS in yards per pass attempt with 11+ yards to go (min. 50 attempts) at 10.8 ypa. He has seven touchdown passes with 11+ yards to go, tied for third in the FBS since 2019. 
  • His NFL passer rating with over 11+ yards to go since 2019 is 117.7, good for second in the nation since 2019. He has thrown just one pick with 11+ to go, tied for 13th in the FBS since 2019.
  • Out of over 100 with at least 400 passing attempts since 2019, Jayden Daniels ranks tied for 27th in fewest interceptions with just 12 on 688 attempts (1.7 percent of his throws). 
  • He has the 33rd-highest NFL QBR in that time at 93.7 (min. 400 attempts) and has accounted for a "turnover-worthy" play just 2.3 percent of the time, tied for eighth-lowest in the FBS in the span.
  • Since 2019, Daniels is 11th among FBS quarterbacks in yards per attempt on third down at 8.2 (1,493 yards on 182 attempts).
  • Among the 104 FBS quarterbacks with at least 100 third-down attempts since 2019, Daniels is 32nd with an NFL quarterback rating of 88.0.

JAY WALKING

  • As a rusher, Jayden Daniels has a grade of 82.6, good for second among quarterbacks in the league and 5th overall. He is the 9th-highest graded quarterback as a rusher this season in the FBS.
  • Daniels has forced 37 missed tackles this season, 5th among FBS QBs. His 756 rushing yards before sacks (including nullified plays) are 5th among FBS quarterbacks.
  • He has 466 yards after contact, good for 7th among FBS quarterbacks.
  • He has 32 explosive runs (10+), fifth among FBS quarterbacks and tops of any player in the Pac-12, regardless of position, one out of the league lead (nullified plays included).
  • Since 2019, Daniels' 1,556 rushing yards overall (sacks excluded) are 12th among active quarterbacks and among those with at least 100 carries, his 6.3 yards per rush are 17th. 
  • Daniels surpassed the 1,000 career rushing yard mark against Washington State and now sits at 1,162. 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 54.8 percent of the time (min. 50 rushes) - 8th among FBS quarterbacks since 2019.
  • His 8.8 yards per carry when rushing on third down are 3rd among FBS quarterbacks since 2019. He has 23 explosive third down runs (runs of 10+ yards), good for third among FBS quarterbacks since 2019.

TAKING OFFENSE

  • Against FBS opponents in non-garbage time, ASU has a +1.10 yards per play advantage between its offensive yards gained per play and defensive yards allowed per play. The net positive is 23rd-highest in the nation. 
  • ASU's offense is averaging 6.31 yards per play on the season (against FBS opponents in non-garbage time) - good for 36th in the FBS. 
  • Against FBS opponents, the Sun Devils pick up at least four yards per play on 62.2 percent of plays (19th in the FBS) and gain at least seven yards on 35.7 percent of plays (25th in the FBS).
  • ASU's offense has earned 53.4 percent of the total yards available this season - the 34th-best tally in the FBS. The team is deadly with a short field (from its own 40 inwards), gaining 78.2 percent of the total yards available - eight-most in the FBS.
  • According to CFB-Graphs.com, ASU's Expected Points Added (EPA) per offensive play average is .150 - good for 19th in the FBS. ASU's .228 EPA on rushing plays inf fourth in the country. The analytic site credits ASU's offense with a positive play 48.0 percent of the time - the eighth-best ratio in the nation.
  • ASU is 13th in the nation in averaging 9.6 points per fourth quarter against FBS teams.
  • ASU earns a first down on 81.6 percent of its drives this season against FBS teams in non-garbage time - good for 7th in the FBS.
  • The team has had a drive earn zero or negative yards just 5.1 percent of the time, the fifth-lowest total in the nation.

THIRD TIMES THE CHARM

  • ASU has a third-down conversion rate of 44.4 against FBS opponents, good for 32nd in the country.
  • With Southern Utah included, ASU's third-down conversion rate still sits at 44.2 percent - 35th in the FBS.
  • This has been a marked improvement for the Sun Devils over the past decade-plus. ASU was also 21st in the shortened season last season (46.67). For perspective, ASU finished in the Top-25 in third-down conversions just once from 2009-2019 (23rd in 2017).  It finished 47th or worse in every other year in that span at 75th or worse in six of those.
  • The team is especially deadly on third-and-short, converting 84.0 percent of its opportunities (21-of-25) with one or two yards to go on third down - third in the FBS.

A HAND IN THE COOKIE JAR

  • ASU has forced 52 turnovers in its last 22 games dating back to 2019, good for second-most in the nation over a 22-game span behind Iowa (55).
  • ASU has forced 59 offensive turnovers overall since 2019, 15th among all FBS teams despite playing significantly fewer games than most schools in 2020.
  • ASU has outscored opponents 830-444 in points off takeaways since 2012. 
  • Since 2012, ASU has scored 63.2 percent of the time following an opponent turnover (139 of 220) while finding the end zone 103 times in that span (46.8 percent).
  • Conversely, opponents have scored just 48.1 percent of the time following an ASU turnover since 2012 (75 of 156) with 57 touchdowns (36.5 percent).
  • With two this year, ASU has 20 interception returns for touchdowns since the 2012 campaign - a tally good for second in the Pac-12 (Utah, 21) and sixth in the FBS in that time span. 
  • A couple streaks that likely will come to an end without some turnaround in the final two games: 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 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.

GETTING DEFENSIVE

  • ASU was the final team in country to not allow an opponent play over 40 yards this year, a streak that came to a close against Washington State.  Still, ASU's two 40-yard plays are the fewest allowed in the FBS this season.
  • The team has the second-fewest 30+ yard plays allowed with just 10.
  • ASU is only team in the FBS to not allow a 50-yard play on the year.
  • ASU extended its streak to 13 games without allowing a 50-yard play, the longest active streak in the FBS.
  • The Sun Devils are 18th in the FBS and first in the league in allowing just 322.5 yards of offense per game. 
  • ASU has eight games this season in which it has held an opponent to less than 100 yards rushing AND/OR less than 100 yards passing (5 games under 100 yards rushing/3 games under 100 yards passing). The eight total sub-100 stat lines in one category or the other are the most since 2002 (also 8 - 7 games under 100 yards rushing, 1 under 100 yard passing). 
  • The three games holding opponents under 100 passing yards marks the first time that has happened since doing it thrice in 1996. The 1996 squad would also be next in line on the most sub-100 yard performances passing/rushing with nine.
  • In non-garbage time against FBS opponents, ASU is allowing just 5.21 yards per play this season, good for 26th in the country.
  • In non-garbage time against FBS opponents, teams gain 7 or more yards on a play just 17.9 percent of the time (12th-lowest in the FBS) and 10 or more yards just 8.5 percent of the time (16th in the FBS).
  • ASU has held opponents to 400 yards or less in 9 of 11 games this season. That surpasses the total for the 2020 season (7 in 13 games). Under Herm Edwards, ASU has held opponents to the 400 or less mark for total offensive yards on 23 occasions over 41 games (56.1 percent of the time). For comparison, ASU accomplished the feat just 24 times in the 65 previous games (36.9 percent) from 2013-2017.
  • ASU has allowed just seven plays over 50 yards to opponents since the 2018 season over 41 games. The .17 50+ yard plays per game allowed are second-fewest in the FBS in that time behind only Washington (.12 per game on 5 plays over 42 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 13 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 15 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). The team is currently second in the category (10).
  • Since 2018, ASU has allowed just 53 TOTAL 30-plus yard plays (1.3 per game/41 games)). For perspective, from 2014-17, ASU gave up 38, 44, 40, 40 such plays, respectively ranked 116th, 124th, 117th and 119th. ASU has given up just nine this season - good for second in the FBS.

KEEP 'EM OFF THE BOARD

  • Currently, ASU is 32nd in the FBS and third in the Pac-12 in allowing just 21.5 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).
  • ASU is sixth in the FBS in allowing just 7.9 second-half points per game against its FBS opponents. ASU is outscoring teams 161-86 in the second half of games this year and 103-42 in the fourth quarter. 
  • Since 2019, ASU has allowed an opponent scoring drive just 100 times on 337 drives, a 30.00 score percentage that is the 26th-lowest in the FBS.
  • Since 2019, ASU has held opponents to a 25.0 scoring drive percentage in the second half of games (43 of 172) - the 7th-lowest in the FBS.
  • The Sun Devils have allowed just 117 offensive touchdowns (2.9 per game/41 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 51 second-half touchdowns to opponents since 2018 - 12th fewest in the FBS. It has allowed just 33 second half touchdowns since 2019 - 7th-fewest in the FBS.
  • ASU has held opponents to less than 30 points in 28 of 41 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 Devils have forced three or more interceptions in 5 of the last 16 games dating back to 2019. ASU has recorded multiple interceptions five times this season and 12 times in the Herm Edwards era.
  • ASU is tied for 9th in the FBS this season with 14 interceptions. 
  • Among all active FBS players, Chase Lucas is tied for 11th in the nation with 34 career passes defended. 
  • Among Pac-12 corners with at least 200 coverage snaps, Lucas is one of just five to not allow a touchdown this season - despite being targetted the most of all those players at 20.4 percent of the time.
  • Jack Jones (14.3) and Lucas (13.7) are third and fifth among Pac-12 corners with 200 snaps in forced incompletion percentage. 
  • The Sun Devils have emphasized "cat" coverage this season - man coverage where its players are simply asked to guard their "cat". The Sun Devils have been lock down with there being an open target allowed just 46.0 percent of the time - the 22nd-lowest tally in the FBS.
  • Other teams are earning a first down through the air just 36.3 percent of the time against ASU - 19th in the FBS.
  • Opponents have an NFL quarterback rating of just 73.8 this season - 7th-lowest in the FBS.
  • ASU is 15th in the nation in allowing just 186.4 passing yards per game.
  • Three times this season, ASU has held an opponent under 100 passing yards - the most in a season since 1996. 
  • ASU's coverage has a forced incompletion rate of 11.3 percent - 11th in the FBS.
  • Since 2020, ASU has allowed an explosive passing play (15+ yards) just 12.4 percent of the time (70 on 564 attempts) - good for 21st in the FBS.
  • Since Herm Edwards' arrival in 2018, the Sun Devil secondary has allowed just 17 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 nine of 10 opponents under 250 passing yards this year.

IN THE TRENCHES

  • Among FBS offensive linemen with 300 snaps in pass protection this year, Dohnovan West ranks tied for 12th in the FBS with only five QB pressures allowed. Kellen Diesch sits 34th with just seven. 
  • Only 5 of ASU's sacks allowed this season has been credited solely to the offensive line, according to Pro Football Focus - the 10th-lowest tally in the FBS.
  • All told, the ASU offensive linemen alone have allowed just 56 quarterback pressures this year - eight fewer than any other Pac-12 school and 17th-fewest in the FBS.
  • As a team, only 26 pressures this season have come unblocked, good for the 19th-lowest total in the FBS.
  • ASU has allowed a pressure on just 26.2 percent of quarterback dropbacks this year as a team, the 23rd-lowest total in the FBS.
  • ASU quarterbacks have been knocked down just 23 times this season - 13th-lowest in the FBS.
  • The team has a 77.1 overall score as a pass blocking unit, 18th in the nation and second in the Pac-12.
  • Kellen Diesch is currently the third-highest graded tackle in the Pac-12 and the 18th-highest graded tackle in the FBS this season while also being the highest graded offensive lineman in the league and fifth-highest graded tackle in the FBS as a pass blocker. Dohnovan West is 18th among FBS centers as a pass blocker.
  • Ben Scott is the fourth-highest graded tackle as a run blocker in the Pac-12 and 28th-highest graded tackles in the FBS.

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 35.6 percent of opponent passing plays - the 22nd-highest in the FBS in that span. This feat is made more impressive considering ASU has blitzed just 21.8 percent of snaps in that time - 16th-lowest nationally.
  • D.J. Davidson is the Pac-12's third-highest graded interior lineman overall (74.6)  - and highest graded interior linemen in run defense this year (77.3) - 23rd in the FBS.
  • Davidson is credited with 31 defensive "stops" on run defense - three more than any other defensive interior lineman in the FBS this year.
  • Tyler Johnson is ASU's active leader in tackles for loss (28.5) and sacks (14.5). He needs 4.5 more sacks to move into the Top-10 in ASU history.
  • Johnson is the 13th-highest graded defender in the Pac-12 this season, regardless of position (77.9) and has shown the evolution of his game from being just a pure pass rusher as he is the third-highest graded edge defender in the league on run defense this year (82.0) - 15th among all edge defenders in the FBS. His 17 total stops on run defense this year are tied for fourth among Pac-12 edge defenders.
  • 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).

MIDDLE OF THE LINEUP

  • Sun Devil Football linebacker Darien Butler was named a semifinalist for the 2021 Butkus Award, the Butkus foundation announced. Butler is one of 16 candidates for the award given to the nation's top collegiate linebacker at the FBS level.
  • He has 17 tackles for loss OR no gain, second-most in the Pac-12 and Top-10 among all FBS linebackers - despite missing a game.
  • Butler has 33 defensive stops on the year, good for fifth among the league's backers.
  • Butler is the Pac-12's highest graded linebacker in coverage at 87.7 - seventh 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. Joining him on that list now in Merlin Robertson, who also has three. ASU's seven interceptions as a linebacker unit this season are the most for any linebacker group in the FBS.
  • ASU's three linebackers hold the first three spots on the team tackles least this season between Kyle Soelle (76), Butler (68) and Robertson (58) - account for 29.4 of the team's total tackles this year.

Related News & Videos