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Sun Devil Football Makes the Trek to Pullman

by thesundevils.com
Nov 9, 2022

THE GAME -  Sun Devil Football heads back on the road this weekend, trekking to the Pacific Northwest to square off with Washington State on Saturday, Nov. 12 at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Wash. The game is scheduled for a 1:30 p.m. AZT kickoff/12:30 p.m. locally and will be broadcast nationally on the Pac-12 Network (Roxy Bernstein and Lincoln Kennedy on the call) and will be carried over the airwaves on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM (Tim Healey, Jeff Van Raaphorst, Kevin Turner).

ON THE COUGARS -  While ASU has dominated the all-time series, 25-15-2, the trajectory has changed in recent years with Washington State taking three of the last four games - including last season in Tempe. 30 has been the magic number in  the series with ASU going 15-1 in games it has scored at least 30 against the Cougars since 1981 and only 5-12-1 when it doesn't reach 30.

KICKING OFF

  • ASU has held opponents to less than 30 points in 32 of 52 games since 2018 (61.5 percent), notable as it DID allow 30+ in 32 of 43 previous games (74.4 percent) in a span from 2013-17.
  • Since 2018, ASU has held opponents to 400 total yards of offense or less on 28 occasions over 52 games (53.8 percent of the time). For comparison, ASU accomplished the feat just 24 times in the 65 previous games (36.9 percent) from 2013-2017.
  • The Sun Devils have an interception in 11 straight games dating back to last season and 16 of the last 17 games.
  • ASU extended its streak of games with at least one takeaway to 18 straight games, the second-longest streak in the FBS (Georgia State, 21)
  • Since 2018, ASU has rushed for 100+ yards in 41 of 52 games (78.8 percent).
  • While ASU's sack totals haven't quite been there this year, the team's defensive linemen have combined for 25 QB hits on the season, tied for the 22nd-most of any defensive line in the FBS. The group also has 89 total hurries, 23rd among all FBS defensive lines.
  • The Sun Devils have just 30 missed tackles over the last four games, tied for fewest in the FBS in the last five weeks and notable as ASU had 70 in the first five games - the 28th-worst tally in the FBS.

AN ASU VICTORY WOULD...

  • Keep ASU's hopes alive of earned a bowl bid, a tough sled that will require the Sun Devils to win its final three games.
  • Stave off WSU's bowl eligibility by at least another week.
  • Help ASU avoid its first 3-7 start since a 3-8 campaign in 1994.

SMART DEVILS

  • ASU recorded a multiyear Academic Progress Rate (APR) average of 995 over a four-year period (2017-18 to 2020-21), an all-time ASU high and first in the Pac-12, the first time leading the conference.  ASU's single year overall APR score for 2020-21 is 994, which is the highest score in ASU history. Sun Devil Football earned a multiyear APR of 983, an all-time high for the program.
  • The Sun Devils saw nine players (four draftees and five undrafted free agents) sign NFL contracts after last season. All nine of those players earned their undergraduate degrees while at ASU.
  • The 2022 roster features 14 Sun Devils who are working toward graduate degrees.
  • A sample of the many Sun Devil Football majors that emphasize ASU's innovation and general availability to the masses as a university: Tevin White (Actuarial Sciences), Kolbe Stuckwisch (Aerospace Engineering), Ben Scott (Bioscience), Thomas Le Boucher (Sports Science and Performance), Javen Jacobs (Architectural Studies), Des Holmes (Film and Media Studies), George Hart (Healthy Lifestyles and Fitness Science), B.J. Green (Mechanical Engineering), Elijhah Badger (Real Estate/Media Analytics), Finn Collins (Film and Media Studies); Anthonie Cooper (Nutrition and Healthy Living); Willie Harts (Parks and Protected Area Management/Public Administration).

MILESTONE WATCH

  • 61 rushing yards for X Valladay to move into the Top-100 in FBS career history (need 4,194, currently at 4,133)
  • 3 tackles for Kyle Soelle to reach 250 in his career (currently at 247)
  • 1 tackles for Nesta Jade Silvera to reach 150 in his career (currently at 149)

#10THINGS (Twitter-Friendly Notes)

  1.  The Sun Devils have been credited with just 30 missed tackles in the last four games (10 percent missed tackle rate) - ranked fourth and second in the FBS over the last five weekends.
     
  2. Jordan Clark is allowed an NFL QB rating of just 51.8 when targeted this season - second-lowest in the Pac-12 and 22nd in the FBS. In 2-Man, Cover 0 and Cover 1, that tally drops to 31.3
     
  3. Opponents have an NFL quarterback rating of just 81.0 since the start of 2021 - the 9th-lowest mark in the FBS.
     
  4. ASU's defensive linemen have combined for 25 quarterback hits this season, good for 22nd among defensive lines in the FBS.
     
  5. Since 2020, ASU has been stuffed at or behind the line of scrimmage on just 6.5 percent of its rushes - good for the 8th-lowest tally in the FBS.
     
  6. Ro Torrence has allowed just 165 yards to receivers in coverage this season - the lowest in the Pac-12 by 31 yards and the 19th lowest tally in the FBS (min. 200 coverage snaps).
     
  7. Trenton Bourguet's 1.94 second average time to throw when facing the blitz is the fastest in the country (min. 35 dropbacks vs. blitz).
     
  8. ASU has an interception in 11 straight games and 16 of the last 17 games dating back to last season.
     
  9. Center Ben Scott has played on 575 of ASU's 578 offensive plays this season - taking only the final three plays of the Sun Devil rout over NAU off.
     
  10. ASU's average play clock snap time on second downs at in last two games was 14.2 seconds averaging 9.6 yards per play. In the first seven games, that tally was 10.7 seconds and just 5.9 yards per second down.

#BYTHENUMBERS

34- Elijhah Badger's 34.0 adjusted target share percentage (targets/plays with an aimed pass) this season is tops among all Pac-12 receivers (18th in the FBS) and his 120.1 NFL QB rating when targeted is second among Pac-12 receivers with at least 50 targets (27th in the FBS). His 20 missed tackles forced are tops among Pac-12 receivers and fifth among all FBS receivers. He has 20 explosive receptions (15+ yards) on the season, good for 15th among FBS receivers and second in the Pac-12. His 82.9 receiving grade is 18th among FBS wide receivers while his overall offensive grade of 81.7 is 11th in the Pac-12, regardless of position.

30- ASU has been credited with just 30 missed tackles in its last four games and a 10 percent missed tackle rate. The 30 missed tackles are fourth-fewest in the FBS in the last five weeks and the 10 percent missed tackle rate is tied for the second-lowest. ASU had 70 missed tackles in its first five games, 28th-most in the country with a 16 percent missed tackle rate that was 35th-highest.While ASU's sack totals haven't quite been there this year, the team's defensive linemen have combined for 25 QB hits on the season, tied for the 22nd-most of any defensive line in the FBS. The group also has 89 total hurries, 23rd among all FBS defensive lines.

14- ASU has had an average snap time on the play clock of 14.6 seconds and only 26.3 percent of plays came under 10 seconds on the play clock. The 14.6 second average snap time was 40th-fastest in the FBS in the last two weeks. For perspective, ASU's average snap time on the season had been 11.5 seconds with 41.1 percent of the team's plays coming under ten seconds. The 11.5 second average start time was the 109th slowest in the FBS.  In the last two weeks, only 30.4 percent of the second down plays came under 10 seconds and only 53.6 percent came under 15 seconds (average 14.2 seconds). ASU is averaging 8.75 yards per second down in that stretch.

11- The Devils have an interception in 11 straight games dating back to last season and 16 of the last 17 games. The team has forced a takeaway in 18-straight games, the second-longest active streak in the FBS (Georgia State, 21). The team has allowed just a 75.1 NFL QBR to opponents in its last four games - 16th-lowest in the FBS over the last 5 weeks. The team allowed a 90.1 QBR in the first five games - right in the middle of the country. Only 43.3 percent of opponent targets have been open in the last four games, 26th-lowest in the FBS in the last five weekends. That's notable as 68.9 percent of opponent targets were open in the first five games - the second-worst tally among FBS schools.

2- Trenton Bourguet's ability to recognize the blitz is demonstrated in his 1.94 second average to throw a pass - tops in the FBS (min. 35 dropbacks vs. blitz). His 2.25 average throw time in general ranks second in the FBS (min. 100 attempts).  He has posted a 119.3 NFL QBR on those plays, good for 20th in the FBS amongst those with 35 dropbacks facing a blitz. Five of his eight touchdown passes this year have come against the blitz while posting a 65.8 completion percentage that is 16th in the FBS against the blitz. His 75.2 completion percentage is tops in the FBS (min. 100 attempts) while his 84.8 adjusted completion percentage is second in the country.

0- No active player in the FBS this season has more career rushing yards than Sun Devil Football's X Valladay (4,133 and sitting at the 1 14th-most in FBS history). He became just the 143rd player in the history of FBS football to reach 4,000 career rushing yards with his second touchdown against Colorado and needs 61 to move into the Top-100 in FBS history. His 852 rushing yards are 25th in the FBS and his 117.89 all-purpose yards per game are 33rd in the country. His 14 touchdowns overall on the season are good for fourth in the FBS and just three off the national lead.

RUSH HOUR

  • Despite playing significantly fewer games than the teams ahead of it, ASU's 67 rushing touchdowns since the beginning of 2020 are 31st among all FBS teams. ASU has accomplished the feat in 25 games, where none of the teams ranked ahead of ASU have fewer than 30 games over the last three seasons.
  • Since 2020, ASU has been stuffed at or behind the line of scrimmage on just 6.5 percent of its rushes - good for the 8th-lowest tally in the FBS. The team has averaged 3.3 yards after contact per rush in that time - 19th in the FBS.
  • Since 2020, ASU has picked up a first down or touchdown on 30.7 percent of its rushes - 24th-most in the FBS. The team is averaging 5.7 yards per rush in that time, tied for 13th in the FBS.
  • Since the start of last year, ASU has 126 explosive runs (10+ yards) - 31st-most in the FBS.
  • Since 2018, ASU has rushed for 100+ yards in 41 of 52 games (78.8 percent).
  • Last season, ASU finished the regular season 24th nationally with 202.3 yards per game.
  • Against Utah, ASU had its streak of REGULAR season games rushing for at least 100 yards ended at 21 games. It was the longest streak of rushing for over 100 yards as a team since the last 10 games of 1995, all 11 of 1996 and the first two of 1997 - a 23-game stretch over two seasons. The 21-game streak was tied for the fourth-longest active streak in the FBS.
  • In rushing for less than 100 yards against #6 USC, it marked the first time ASU had been held under 100 yards on the ground in consecutive games since Nov. 9 and Nov. 17,  2019 (USC and Oregon State).

A HAND IN THE COOKIE JAR

  • ASU has forced 70 offensive turnovers overall since 2019, 21st among all FBS teams despite playing significantly fewer games than most schools in 2020.
  • ASU has outscored opponents 877-470 in points off takeaways since 2012.
  • Since 2012, ASU has scored 63.8 percent of the time following an opponent turnover (149 of 234) while finding the end zone 109 times in that span (46.6 percent).
  • Conversely, opponents have scored just 48.8 percent of the time following an ASU turnover since 2012 (82 of 168) with 60 touchdowns (35.7 percent).
  • ASU has 10 interceptions (and at least one in each game) - tied for 20th nationally a year removed from finished eighth in the FBS with 16 interceptions.
  • ASU has an interception in 11 straight games and 16 of the last 17 dating back to last year.
  • The team has forced a takeaway in 18-straight games, the second-longest active streak in the FBS (Georgia State, 21).
  • Oddly enough, the bounces have not gone the Sun Devils' way on fumbles. ASU was the last team in FBS without a fumble recovery, having seen 12 balls on the ground without a recovery prior to the fourth quarter of the UCLA game - the ninth game of the season. ASU has now seen 13 fumbles by opponents this season - tied for 28th nationally - with only one recovery (tied for last in the FBS).

GETTING DEFENSIVE

  • ASU has had just three 50+ yard plays allowed by the defense this season, tied for 34th-fewest in the FBS.
  • ASU was the only team in the FBS to not allow a 50-yard play last year and had a streak of 18 games without allowing a 50-yard play snapped against Utah this year. It was the longest active streak in the FBS and tied for the second-longest streak in the FBS overall since 2012 (Iowa State, 2018-19), behind only UCLA's 21-game streak from 2013-15.
  • Utah's Thomas Yassmin had a 72-yard catch this year, the first 50+ yard play against ASU since a 64-yard rush by UCLA's Britain Brown in 2020. It was the first 50-yard passing play allowed since the 2019 Sun Bowl against Florida State, ending a streak of 20 straight games without a passing play over 50 yards.
  • ASU has allowed just 10 plays over 50 yards to opponents since the 2018 season over 52 games. The .19 50+ yard plays per game allowed are second-fewest in the FBS in that time behind only Washington (.12 per game on 6 plays over 51 games). ASU ranked in the bottom 10 nationally in 50+ yards played allowed each year from 2014-17.
  • Since 2018, ASU has held opponents to the 400 or less mark for total offensive yards on 28 occasions over 52 games (53.8 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 is one of just three teams in the country to rank in the Top-35 in fewest plays over 30 yards allowed in EACH of the last four seasons (Cal, Utah). A tough game against UCLA dropped ASU from 10th to 54th in the category (16) though it is just two shy of the Top-35.
  • Since 2018, ASU has allowed just 74 TOTAL 30-plus yard plays (1.4 per game/52 games)). For perspective, from 2014-17, ASU gave up 38, 44, 40, 40 such plays, respectively ranked 116th, 124th, 117th and 119th.
  • Last season, the team had the third-fewest 30+ yard plays allowed with just 13.

NO FLY ZONE

  • Ro Torrence has allowed just 17 receptions in coverage this season, the third lowest tally among Pac-12 corners with at least 200 snaps played in coverage.  His 51.5 completion percentage allowed is seventh-lowest in the Pac-12. Jordan Clark sits fourth in the league with just a 48.8 percent completion percentage against.
  • In man coverage, Torrence has allowed just a 33.3 percent completion rate this season - third-lowest in the Pac-12. Clark is sixth at 37.5 percent.
  • Torrence has allowed just 165 yards to receivers in coverage this season - the lowest in the Pac-12 by 31 yards and the 19th lowest tally in the FBS. His 0.63 yards allowed per coverage snap are 27th in the FBS. Clark sits third with just 209 yards allowed.
  • Both Clark and Torrence are credited with just one touchdown allowed in coverage this season - tied for the lowest tally in the Pac-12.
  • Clark is allowed an NFL QB rating of just 51.8 when targeted this season - second-lowest in the Pac-12 and 22nd in the FBS. In 2-Man, Cover 0 and Cover 1, that tally drops to 31.3
  • Only 26.8 percent of passes thrown Jordan Clark's way have resulted in a first down or touchdown - third-lowest in the Pac-12.
  • ASU has 56 interceptions since 2018 - 22nd in the FBS in that time despite playing significantly fewer games than most teams in 2020.
  • The Devils have an interception in 11 straight games dating back to last season and 16 of the last 17 games.
  • ASU finished 8th in the FBS last season with 16 interceptions and has 10 through this season - good for 20th in the FBS.
  • The team has 48 total pass defenses on the year, a tally that sits tied for 19th in the FBS.
  • Colorado quarterback J.T. Shrout completed only 38% of his passes, which is the fourth-lowest mark by an opposing quarterback against the Sun Devils in the last decade.
  • Opponents have an NFL quarterback rating of just 81.0 since the start of 2021 - the 9th-lowest mark in the FBS.
  • The 6.66 yards attempt in that time are 25th in the FBS in that time. ASU has allowed just 1.81 yards after the catch per completion since 2021 - the fifth-lowest tally in the FBS.
  • ASU has allowed just 25 passing touchdowns since the start of 2021 - tied for the 11th-fewest in the FBS. The team has allowed a touchdown on just 3.5 percent of passes thrown against it in that time (25/705) - the 10th-lowest tally in the FBS.
  • The team has allowed an explosive pass percentage (15+ yards) just 13.3 percent of the time since 2020 - 26th in the FBS - while its 3.6 percent interception rate is 10th in the FBS since 2020.
  • The secondary has contested a target on 18.6 percent of passing plays since the start of 2020 (147/788) - the 16th-highest percentage in the FBS.
  • Since 2018, the Sun Devil secondary has allowed just 23 total passing plays over 40 yards. For perspective, it had 12 alone in 2017, 22 in 2016 and 24 in 2015 – the latter two ranking second to last and last, respectively, in the nation.

#TB16

  • Former walk-on quarterback Trenton Bourguet has absolutely dazzled in his three games at the helm of the Sun Devil offense, leading ASU to two wins with  966 yards and eight touchdowns.
  • His 435 passing yards against Colorado were the second-most by an ASU quarterback making his first career start in program history anf the 15th-most for a single game in program history as well. It was the most passing yards of any FBS quarterback in Week 9.
  • The 435 yards were the fourth-most by a Pac-12 quarterback making his first career start since 2007.
  • His 75.2 completion percentage is tops in the FBS (min. 100 attempts) while his 84.8 adjusted competion percentage (which accounts for drops) is second in the country.
  • He has posted a 112.9 NFL QB rating that is 13th among players with at least 100 attempts and his 8.6 yards per passing attempt are 26th in the FBS.
  • Bourguet has excelled under pressure, facing 39 blitzes on his 118 dropbacks- 33.1 percent of his dropbacks and the 34th-highest percentage in the FBS among those with at least 35 pass attempts vs. the blitz.
  • He has posted a 119.3 NFL QBR on those plays, good for 20th in the FBS amongst those with 35 dropbacks facing a blitz.
  • Five of his eight touchdown passes this year have come against the blitz while posting a 65.8 completion percentage that is 16th in the FBS against the blitz..
  • His ability to recognize the blitz is demonstrated in his 1.94 second average to throw a pass - tops in the FBS (min. 35 dropbacks vs. blitz). His 2.25 average throw time in general ranks second in the FBS (min. 100 attempts).
  • 53.9 percent of his passing yards have come after the catch - 35th in the FBS and showing his ability to find and lead open receivers. 64.3 percent of his passing yards while facing the blitz have come after the catch - ninth in the FBS.

IN THE TRENCHES

  • A resilient athlete, Ben Scott started in all 13 games at right tackle for ASU and played on 794 of the Sun Devils' 808 offensive plays last season.
  • Starting in all nine games this season, he has played on 575 of ASU's 578 offensive snaps this year - all but the final three snaps of ASU's season opening rout over NAU. His 26-game start streak is easily the longest on the team.
  • Scott ranks in the Top-50 in the FBS as a pass blocker among centers (min. 300 pass blocking snaps).
  • He has allowed just one sack on the year, tied for 24th-fewest among FBS centers.
  • Last season, his 83.0 run blocking score was 28th among all offensive tackles in the FBS last season with at least 500 snaps played
  • Scott had a negative grade on just 10.9 percent of his run-blocking plays on the season - sixth lowest in the Pac-12

MAGICAL MERLIN

  • Merlin Robertson was named a captain in the preseason while also finding his name on the Butkus Award Watch List. and as an honorable mention linebacker by the Pac-12 Conference.
  • Robertson reached the 300 tackle mark for his career against Colorado.
  • Last season among Pac-12 linebackers with 400+ snaps, Robertson was the sixth-highest graded one.
  • According to Pro Football Focus, Robertson has been credited with just 31 missed tackles in his career on 3,107 snaps, which is the sixth-fewest of the 41 active FBS linebacker with over 2000 snaps played over the last four+ seasons, though he has played nearly 100 more snaps than the players ranked 1-5 (22, 26, 27, 28 and 29 missed tackles respectively).
  • His 619 snaps on defense this season (including plays blown dead from penalties or other reasons) are third-most among all Pac-12 linebackers and 20th among all FBS linebackers.
  • Robertson has 45 starts in his career and his 304 tackles are 19th among active FBS players (16th among linebackers) while his six career interceptions are second among active FBS linebackers
  • He has played 3,107 career snaps – the second-most among active linebackers in the FBS this season (Troy's Carlton Martial at 3,164) and sixth-most of any active defensive player in the FBS.

X GON' GIVE IT TO YA

  • X Valladay is the FBS active leader in career rushing yards at 4,133 with 852 of those  coming this season - 25th in the FBS and third nationally.
  • He became just the 143rd player in the history of FBS football to reach 4,000 career rushing yards with his second touchdown against Colorado.
  • He became the first running back in the FBS to rush for AND catch a touchdown in back-to-back games this season, doing so against USC and UW.
  • His 14 total touchdowns this season are fourth in the FBS - three off the national lead -  and tops in the Pac-12.
  • In four seasons with Wyoming, Valladay compiled 3,281 yards and 19 touchdowns on 626 carries and finished career as the second-leading rusher in program history
  • Valladay has 103 explosive runs (10+) yards since 2018 -  fifth-most among active FBS backs.
  • His 10 20+ yard rushing plays this season are tied for sixth in the FBS.
  • He has forced 143 missed tackles in his career, 9th among active FBS backs.
  • He eclipsed 1,000 yards in two seasons, including a 1,265-yard effort in 2019 which was the third-most in single-season program history
  • Valladay is up to 19 100+-yard performances in his career with 14 at Wyoming and five at Arizona State.
  • His 361 rushing yards in the first three games were the most by an ASU running back in the first three games of the season since  D.J. Foster had 510 in 2014. He was the first Sun Devil to rush for 100+ yards in the first three games of the season since Foster that year.
  • Valladay was one of just five FBS running backs to have 100+ rushing yards in each game through the first three weeks of the season. He has five in nine games this year.

SILVERA IS GOLD

  • Nesta Jade Silvera has 61 career stops on run defense - good for 8th among active FBS interior linemen.
  • He has 30 career tackles for loss or stops for no gain on run defense as well, good for second among active FBS interior linemen.
  • He has 29 tackles against the run this season, the most of any FBS interior linemen.
  • With 12 tackles against Utah, Silvera became the first Sun Devil interior linemen to record double-digit tackles in a single game since AT LEAST 1990. It was the second-most for any Sun Devil defensive lineman since at least 1990 behind defensive end Marcus Hardison had 13 in the 2014 Sun Bowl.
  • The 12 tackles were tied for the most by any FBS interior linemen this season. His 147 career tackles are seventh among all active FBS interior linemen. His 44 tackles this year are fourth among FBS interior linemen.
  • In 2021, he was the fourth-highest graded interior lineman in the ACC among linemen with at least 200 snaps (74.1), playing 405 snaps on the year. He was the third-highest graded interior lineman in the league in run defense (77.0)
  • Silvera was credited with 24 stops last season, third among defensive interior players in the ACC last year - two shy of the league lead despite playing 80-150 fewer snaps than the two players ahead of him... 21 of those stops came on run defense - the highest tally in the league and 25th among all interior linemen in the FBS

NEVERENDING KHOURY

  • Khoury Bethley is currently the highest player in the Pac-12 and 3rd-highest graded  safety in the FBS on run defense this year (88.0, min. 150 run defense snaps).
  • His 74.1 overall defensive score is fifth among Pac-12 safeties.
  • His 18 defensive stops this season are third among Pac-12 safeties. 11 of those stops have come within three yards of the line of scrimmage - 21st among FBS safeties.
  • Bethley played more snaps than any safety in the nation in 2021 (1,037) and the most by any FBS safety since 2016. It was the ninth-most safety snaps in a single season over the last decade.
  • His 3,219 career snaps are the most of any active FBS safety. It is the third-most snaps of any active FBS player this season, regardless of position.
  • He is currently tops among all active FBS defensive backs and sixth among active players with 360 career tackles. His 264 solo tackles are the most of any active player in the FBS - 27 more than any other player.
  • He is currently 35th in the FBS in averaging 5.0 solo tackles per game.
  • We was credited with 38 defensive stops in 2021, third-most among all FBS safeties. His 85.3 grade from PFF as a pass rusher was ninth among FBS safeties.

HOLD THE LINE

  • While ASU's sack totals haven't quite been there this year, the team's defensive linemen have combined for 25 QB hits on the season, tied for the 22nd-most of any defensive line in the FBS. The group also has 89 total hurries, 23rd among all FBS defensive lines.
  • Joe Moore is eighth among all Pac-12 defensive linemen with 31 QB pressures this season. His seven QB hits are tied for fourth in the league (33rd in the FBS).
  • B.J. Green is also tied for fourth in the Pac-12 with seven QB hits (33rd among FBS linemen).
  • Green's 28.8 percent win percentage on pass rushing plays is second best in the Pac-12 and in the FBS.
  • Green has generated a QB pressure on 20.0 percent of his pass-rushing stats - the third-best tally among all defensive linemen the league and sixth in the FBS (min. 100 pass rushing snaps).
  • Green has a pass rush productive rating ((sacks + (.5 x hits) + (.5 x hurries)/play count) of 11.2 this season, fourth among defensive linemen in the Pac-12 and 12th in the FBS (min. 100 pass rushing snaps).

HEART AND SOELLE

  • Team captain Kyle Soelle had a career-high 16 tackles against Oklahoma State in Week two, and immediately followed it up with 18 against Eastern Michigan last weekend.
  • The 18 against EMU are tied for the sixth-most by an FBS player in a single game this season. His 16 against Oklahoma State are tied for the fourth-most by an FBS player this season against a ranked opponent.
  • Soelle reeled off six-straight games with at least 10 tackles between Oklahoma State and Stanford - the most for a Sun Devil since Christian Sam had seven-straight in 2017.
  • Soelle is fifth in the nation in averaging 10.9 tackles per game this season and his 98 total tackles on the year currently sit fourth in the FBS.
  • Soelle has played on 614 snaps this season (including plays blown dead), the 12th-most of any FBS linebacker and tops among any defensive player in the Pac-12.
  • He also picked up his fourth interception of his career and second of the season against Oklahoma State. His four career interceptions rank among the Top-10 among active FBS linebackers since 2018.
  • Soelle is second  among Pac-12 linebackers in being credited with 30 defensive stops this season.

BADGER DON'T CARE

  • Elijhah Badger has emerged as one of the top receiving threats in the Pac-12, currently second in the league among wide receivers with a receiving grade of 82.9 on the season (min. 50 targets) and 18th in the FBS.
  • His 81.7 overall offensive score is 11th in the Pac-12, regardless of position.
  • He is 32nd in the FBS with 710 receiving yards and 26th in the FBS with 5.9 catches per game. His 13.3 yards per catch are 20th among FBS wide receivers with at least 50 touches.
  • Badger is responsible for 34 of ASU's 111 first downs by passing this year (30.6 percent)
  • His 20 missed tackles forced are tops among Pac-12 receivers and fifth among all FBS receivers.
  • He has 20 explosive receptions (15+ yards) on the season, good for 15th among FBS receivers and second in the Pac-12.
  • His 2.68 receiving yards per route run this year are 30th in the FBS and second in the Pac-12.
  • His 34.0 adjusted target share percentage (targets/plays with an aimed pass) this season is tops among all Pac-12 receivers (18th in the FBS) and his 120.1 NFL QB rating when targeted is second among Pac-12 receivers with at least 50 targets (27th in the FBS).

PROS AND CON-YERS

  • Jalin Conyers' three touchdown receptions against Colorado were the most by a tight end in ASU single game history.
  • He became one of just five Pac-12 tight ends since 2004 to record three-or-more TD's in a single game.
  • He is the only tight end in the FBS this season to record three touchdown receptions in a game.
  • One of four Pac-12 players this season to record three-or-more receiving touchdowns in a game and just the second to do it in a conference game.
  • His 108 receiving yards marked the first time an ASU tight end eclipsed 100 receiving yards since Chris Coyle in 2012 against Illinois. Coyle in 2012 was also the last time a tight end had two touchdown receptions in a game.
  • The 108 yards were the second-most by an FBS tight end in Week 9 and 14th-most by an FBS tight end this season - one of just 23 triple digit performances by a tight end on the year.
  • Conyers and fellow tight end Messiah Swinson are the first tight end duo to each have 150+ receiving yards in a season at ASU since 2006.

NOT STARSTRUCK

  • Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan has at least 59 receiving yards in every game this season except one. Arizona State held him to only 25 yards on four catches. McMillan is averaging 76.3 yards per game.
  • USC running back Travis Dye has over 100 rushing yards in five games. Arizona State held him to only 62 yards on 13 carries. Dye is averaging 95.0 yards per game. Dye only had 73 all-purpose yards against ASU. He averages 117 all-purpose yards per game and has 100+ in six games.
  • Arizona State held Oklahoma State wide receiver Brennan Presley to a season-low 23 yards on four catches. Presley averages 57.8 yards per game and has gone over 60 yards on five occasions.
  • NAU wide receiver Jamal Glapsie has 418 receiving yards over his last six games, averaging 69.7 yards per game. In his first game of the season, Arizona State held him to 17 yards on three catches
  • Colorado wide receiver Daniel Arias had a catch in every game this season except against Arizona State.
  • USC QB Caleb Williams' (275 pass attempts) only pick this season was by Arizona State's Timarcus Davis
  • Utah QB Cam Rising (215 pass attempts) has only three picks this season, one coming at the hands of Arizona State's Timarcus Davis
  • Oklahoma State QB Spencer Sanders (288 pass attempts) has only five picks this season, one of which was by Arizona State's Kyle Soelle
  • Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. (339 pass attempts) has only four picks this season, one courtesy of Arizona State's Jordan Clark.

TURNING THE CORNER

  • The team has allowed just a 75.1 NFL QBR to opponents in its last four games - 16th-lowest in the FBS over the last five weeks. The team allowed a 90.1 QBR in the first five games - right in the middle of the country.
  • Only 43.3 percent of opponent targets have been open in the last four games, 26th-lowest in the FBS in the last five weekends. That's notable as 68.9 percent of opponent targets were open in the first five games - the second-worst tally among FBS schools.
  • The team as a whole has been credited with just 30 missed tackles in its last four games and a 10 percent missed tackle rate. The 30 missed tackles are fourth-fewest in the FBS in the last five weeks and the 10 percent missed tackle rate is tied for the second-lowest. ASU had 70 missed tackles in its first five games, 28th-most in the country with a 16 percent missed tackle rate that was 35th-highest.

CHANGE OF PACE

  • In the last two games, ASU had a notable change in pace on offense with Shaun Aguano making the play calls.
  • ASU had an average snap time on the play clock of 14.6 seconds and only 26.3 percent of plays came under 10 seconds on the play clock. The 14.6 second average snap time was 40th-fastest in the FBS in the last two weeks.
  • For perspective, ASU's average snap time on the season had been 11.5 seconds with 41.1 percent of the team's plays coming under ten seconds. The 11.5 second average start time was the 109th slowest in the FBS.
  • ASU has credited with 28 true "tempo" plays in the last two games, according to PFF. ASU had run just 10 such plays ALL SEASON prior to the contest.
  • The most notable difference came on second downs. On the season coming into the CU matchup, 45.2 percent of ASU's second down plays dipped below 10 seconds on the play clock and 80.8 percent under 15 seconds (average 10.7 seconds). In the last two weeks, only 30.4 percent of the second down plays came under 10 seconds and only 53.6 percent came under 15 seconds (average 14.2 seconds).
  • ASU is averaging 8.75 yards per second down in the last two games - compared to just 5.9 yards per second down in its first seven games.

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