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Football Prepares for Home Game
Sun Devils play host to Cal Bears on Saturday.
November 2, 1998
California Golden Bears
vs.
Arizona State Sun Devils
Sun Devil Stadium/Frank Kush Field -- 4:00 p.m. MST
Saturday, Nov. 7 -- KMVP 860 AM
Arizona State (4-4, 3-2) hosts California (5-3, 3-2) Saturday, Nov. 7 in the final home game of the 1998 season. The Sun Devils and Golden Bears are each part of a four-team tie for fourth place in the Pac-10 and are coming off victories in the Pacific Northwest. ASU defeated Washington State 38-28 and Cal edged Oregon State 20-19. The game is slated for a 4:00 p.m. MST/3:00 p.m. PST kickoff. In addition to homecoming, Saturday is also Senior Day and Hall of Fame Day at Sun Devil Stadium/Frank Kush Field.
Series Summary Arizona State leads its all-time series with California 11-8. The Sun Devils have won five of the last six matchups including three straight. The Sun Devils defeated California 28-21 last year in Berkeley and clinched their 1996 Rose Bowl berth with a 35-7 win in the last game played in Tempe. ASU head coach Bruce Snyder (45-31, 7th year at ASU) is 5-1 against the California, where he coached from 1987-91, in his career. California head coach Tom Holmoe (8-11, 2nd year) is 0-1 against the Sun Devils.
Exposure ASU flagship radio station KMVP (860 AM), its sister station KTAR (620 AM) and the Sun Devil radio network will carry the game live. Tim Healey and 1987 Rose Bowl MVP Jeff Van Raaphorst will handle the call. KMVP has teamed with Broadcast.com to provide all Sun Devil radio broadcasts on the internet. Each broadcast can be accessed at www.TheSunDevils.com. The game will also be shown on a tape-delayed basis on Fox Sports Arizona, Sunday at 7 p.m. (Please note this is different than the usual 4 p.m. replay due to Coyotes hockey). Tom Dillon and Doug Plank are on the call with Kyle Murphy on the sidelines.
Senior Day Arizona State will honor 16 seniors in their final home game at Sun Devil Stadium. The class has a record of 30-13 (.698) in the last four seasons and had back-to-back bowl trips (1996-97). The 1998 senior class includes: Albrey Battle (RT), Steve Campbell (QB), Matt Cercone (TE), Joe Cesta (LB), Troy Davis (OL), Derrick Ford (RT), Mitchell Freedman (FS), Leroy Hawkins (RE), Lenzie Jackson (WR), Seanan Kelly (RE), Randy Leaphart (OL), Kenny Mitchell (WR), Jeff Paulk (FB), Grey Ruegamer (OL), Creig Spann (WR) and Brian Williams (OL).
Hall of Fame Six former Arizona State student-athletes will be inducted into the ASU Hall of Fame game Saturday in an induction ceremony at 2:30 p.m. at Sun Devil Plaza. The six inductees include NCAA champion swimmer Andy Astbury (1979-83), Olympic medalist discus thrower Leslie Deniz (1981-83), men's basketball standout Verl Heap (1942-, 1945-48), four-time All-America golfer Billy Mayfair (1985-88), first-team All-America baseball player Fred Nelson (1967-68) and 1987 Rose Bowl MVP quarterback Jeff Van Raaphorst (1983-86). Heap is the great uncle of ASU freshman tight end Todd Heap and Van Raaphorst is the color analyst on ASU's radio broadcasts.
Homecoming Arizona State is 52-13-3 (.787) in homecoming games and has won three straight and 12 of the last 13 homecoming clashes. ASU has played Cal in three of the last six Sun Devil homecoming games and has an all-time homecoming record of 5-0 against the Bears. Here's a look at Homecoming and Hall of Fame activities this weekend:
Hall of Fame/Homecming Activities Friday, 5 p.m. President's Homecoming Kick-Off Reception Friday, 7 p.m. Lantern Walk Up 'A' Mountain Sat., 10 a.m. Homecoming Parade Sat., noon Homecoming Luncheon Sat., 2 p.m. Alumni Pre-Game Tailgate (Sun Devil Plaza) Sat., 2:30 p.m. Induction Ceremony (Sun Devil Plaza)
Last Week ASU notched its second straight victory to bring its overall record back to .500 and move into a fourth-place tie in the Pac-10 at 3-2. The Sun Devils defeated Washington State 38-28 in Pullman as the ASU offense generated its best day of the season in total offense (490 yds.) and rushing (242 yds.). Ryan Kealy returned to his familiar starting role and completed a season-high 22 passes (33 attempts) for 248 yards and 3 touchdowns. Gerald Greeen filled in nicely for an injured J.R. Redmond (right ankle) and registered his first career 100-yard game with 119 yards on 26 carries as ASU averaged 4.8 yards per rush attempt. Kenny Mitchell scored two touchdowns in the span of 2:17 to give the Sun Devils the lead for good late in the first half. ASU took a 17-7 lead into the lockeroom at halftime and freshman Willie Daniel's 37-yard interception return for a touchdown, the first at ASU since 1996, provided ASU with its largest lead of the game, 38-21 with 8:28 remaining in the game. Daniel, starting his first game as a Sun Devil, led ASU with seven tackles, including one for loss. ASU scored 21 points on four WSU turnovers and had two interceptions for the first time this year.
California used six Oregon State turnovers and Dameane Douglas' school-record 15 receptions (140 yards) to escape Corvallis with a come-from-behind 20-19 victory over the Beavers. Cal trailed 19-10 at halftime after four OSU field goals and a 10-yard touchdown run by OSU's Jason Dandridge, but the Bears defense did not allow a point in the second half. Meanwhile, Douglas caught a three-yard touchdown pass and Ignacio Brache's career-long 45-yard field goal gave Cal the victory. Justin Vedder was 29-of-46 passing for 255 yards as the Bears offense turned out 27 first downs.
Last Meeting No. 15 Arizona State captured its fourth straight win with a 28-21 victory at California, Nov. 15, 1997. The Sun Devils staked a 17-0 halftime lead with three second quarter scores. ASU extended its lead to 28-7 late in the third quarter and held off a late Cal rally. J.R. Redmond returned from an injury that kept him out of the previous week's game to garner 114 rushing yards on 27 carries, 264 all-purpose yards, a five-yard touchdown run and a 28-yard touchdown pass. ASU outgained the Bears 429-299 in total offense and forced three Cal turnovers while not commiting none.
In that game ...
ASU Cal
Kealy: 14/23, 277 yds., 2 TDs
Vedder: 17/31, 173 yds., 1 TD, 2 Int
J.R. Redmond: 27 carries, 114 yds.
Cal: 2.7 yards per rush
K. Mitchell: 4 catches, 80 yds.
Douglas: 4 catches, 30 yds.
Freedman: 6 tackles
M Smith: 12 tackles
Injury Report RB J.R. Redmond, OL Randy Leaphart, SS Christon Rance, FS Mitchell Freedman, RE Quincy Yancy, DT Che' Britton and OT Thomas Schmidt are all probable for this week's game against California. Redmond played had only two carries against WSU before retiring to the sidelines due to a right ankle sprain suffered against Stanford. Yancy missed the last two games after suffering right ankle sprain against Notre Dame. Rance missed the WSU game after suffering a strained left hamstring against Stanford. Britton missed the Cougar game with a lower back strain suffered against Stanford. Freedman has played all but the North Texas game this year with assorted injuries. Starting senior OL Randy Leaphart has missed the last six games with a right knee sprain (suffered against BYU), but could return against California. Redshirt freshman CB Courtney Hysaw was lost for the season with a knee injury during Camp Tontozona.
Statistical Comparison
Category ASU Cal
Rushing Off. 181.5 (4) 82.9 (10)
Rushing Def. 128.9 (3) 156.6 (7)
Passing Off. 225.4 (7) 207.8 (10)
Pass Eff. Def. 125.8 (8) 93.3 (2)
Total Off. 406.9 (5) 290.6 (10)
Total Def. 370.6 (5) 336.6 (2)
Scoring Off. 27.1 (5) 16.9 (10)
Scoring Def. 26.9 (7) 19.9 (3)
(Pac-10 Rank)
On Deck ASU travels to Eugene, Ore., to face the Oregon Ducks. It is the first of two straight road games to close out the regular season. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. MST/1:00 p.m. PST.
Successful Program
A look at some of Arizona State's success since the midpoint of the 1995 season:
3 ASU has won 28 of its last 37 games
3 ASU has won 14 of its last 18 home games
3 ASU has won 11 of its last 14 road games
3 ASU has won 17 of its last 21 Pac-10 games
Leader of the Pac Arizona State ranks best among Pac-10 schools in combined overall record over the last four seasons, becoming the first team to 30 wins over that span.
Combined Record Last Four Seasons ('95-'98)
Team Record Pct.
1. Arizona State 30-13 .698
2. UCLA 29-13 .690
3. Washington 29-14-1 .670
4. Oregon 28-15 .651
5. USC 27-16-1 .625
6. Arizona 27-17 .613
7. Washington St. 21-21 .500
8. Stanford 20-22-1 .477
9. California 17-25 .405
10. Oregon State 10-32 .238
Snyder Era Bruce Snyder's first season as head coach at Arizona State was in 1992 and since then the Sun Devils have the fifth-best conference record in the Pac-10:
Team Conf. Pct. Overall Pct.
Washington 36-16-1 .689 52-25-1 .673
USC 34-19-1 .639 49-29-3 .623
UCLA 32-21-0 .603 48-28-0 .632
Arizona 31-21-1 .594 50-28-1 .639
Arizona St. 31-22-0 .585 45-31-0 .592
Oregon 28-25-0 .528 48-31-0 .608
Washington St. 25-28-0 .472 43-34-0 .558
Stanford 23-30-0 .434 37-39-2 .487
California 18-35-0 .340 34-43-0 .442
Oregon St. 6-47-1 .120 19-55-1 .260
Notes on Offense
Offensive Trends Arizona State's offense is stacked with weapons and is capable of putting up some tremendous numbers on the board. The Sun Devils have done just that in their last two games, scoring 82 points and accumulating 968 yards of total offense (475 rushing/493 passing). ASU has scored 24 or more points six times this season. In those six games, ASU is averaging 33.7 points, 438.7 total yards, 213.8 yards rushing and 224.8 yards passing with 10 turnovers. However, ASU has also scored less than 10 points twice this season. In those two games, the Sun Devils are averaging 6.0 points, 311.5 total yards, 84.5 yards rushing and 227.0 yards passing with seven turnovers.
ASU Offense Game By Game
Opponent Rush Pass Total Per Play Pts.
Washington 163 302 465 5.8 38
at Brigham Young 22 286 308 4.8 6
North Texas 226 207 433 7.0 35
Oregon State 190 173 363 4.4 24
at USC 229 174 403 4.5 24
Notre Dame 147 168 315 4.7 9
Stanford 233 245 478 6.5 44
Washington St. 242 248 490 5.9 38
Average 181.5 225.4 406.9 5.4 27.1
J.R. Redmond -- All Purpose Excitement
Sun Devil junior J.R. Redmond is one of the most exciting players to watch in college football. The Heisman Trophy candidate is, first and foremost, ASU's starting tailback. He has rushed for over 100 yards three times in 1998 and is averaging 92.8 yards rushing per game to lead the Pac-10. Redmond has virtually sat out the last six quarters (played one possession against WSU) due to a right ankle sprain. Against USC, Redmond became the 12th man in Sun Devil history to rush for 200 yards as his 214 yards rushing rank as the ninth-best rushing effort in ASU history. His three touchdowns against North Texas was the most rushing TDs by a Sun Devil since Terry Battle scored 3 TDs against Arizona in 1996. He equaled that mark against Stanford, scoring two TDs on the ground and one on a punt return. Redmond piled up 93 yards on 11 carries in less than one half of football against the Cardinal. He has scored at least one TD in six of ASU's eight games this year and in eight of his last 11 games. Redmond started only one game prior to this season after backing up the likes of Michael Martin and Terry Battle. Redmond has rushed for 1,815 yards (not including bowl games) in his three seasons in Tempe, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. He has topped the 100-yard mark seven times in his career. Last year, Redmond led the Pac-10's top rushing offense with 86.5 yards per game and was named the Sun Devils' Offensive MVP in a vote of his teammates. He was also named an honorable mention All-Pac-10 player as a running back in 1997.
Redmond Year-by-Year Rushing
Year G/GS Att. Yds. Avg TD Lg.
1996 10/0 63 301 4.8 2 41
1997 10/1 142 865 6.1 7 93*
1998 8/7 141 742 5.3 9 89
Totals 28/8 346 1908 5.5 18 93*
*5th longest run in ASU history (8/30 vs. New Mexico State)
7th longest run in ASU history (10/3 at USC)
Redmond 1998 Game--by-Game Rushing
Opponent Att. Yds. Avg TD Lg.
Washington 22 108 4.9 1 22
at BYU 16 28 1.8 0 7
North Texas 15 122 8.1 *3 24
Oregon State 23 83 3.6 1 20
at USC *33 *214 6.5 1 89
Notre Dame 19 94 4.9 1 18
Stanford 11 93 8.5 2 58
at WSU* 2 0 0.0 0 0
*Career High
Left game in 2nd quarter with right ankle injury
*Left game after first series with right ankle injury
Running the football isn't the only facet to Redmond's game. Redmond ranks first in the Pac-10 and fourth in the nation with 173.6 all-purpose yards per game. His 350 all-purpose yards at USC was an Arizona State record, and was the first time in his career that he had surpassed the 300-yard mark. He has had 200 all-purpose yards in six games during his career and three times this season. He has caught one pass in all but two games this season, and has set single-game career highs in receptions (six vs. USC) and receiving yards (68 vs. Washington) this year. Redmond is the Sun Devils' fourth-leading receiver in 1998 with 18 catches for 170 yds. He is the Pac-10's leading punt returner, averaging 14.2 yards on 17 returns, including his first career return for a touchdown (76 yds. vs. Stanford). On the 10 times opponents have kicked off to him, he is averaging 23.5 yards per return. He was third in the Pac-10 and 12th in the nation in all-purpose yardage for 1997, averaging 159.0 per game. As a result, he was selected to the 1997 All-Pac-10 first-team as an all-purpose player. In 1997, he led his team in punt and kickoff returns while catching the fifth-most passes. He has amassed 3,820 all-purpose yards in three seasons, averaging 7.9 yards each time he touches the ball, whether it be via rush, reception, punt or kickoff return.
Redmond Year-by-Year All Purpose (No.-Yds) Per Per
Game Rush Rec. Punts KO Total Touch Game
1996 63-301 9-197 31-260 2-83 105-841 8.0 84.1
1997 142-865 15-186 24-236 14-303 195-1590 8.2 159.0
1998 141-742 18-170 17-242 10-235 186-1389 7.4 173.6
Career 346-1908 42-553 72-738 26-621 486-3820 7.9 141.4
Redmond 1998 Game-by-Game All Purpose Per Per
Game Rush Rec. Punts KO Total Touch Game
Wash. 22-108 4-68 2-66 1-12 29-254 8.8
at BYU 16-28 3-26 3-8 0-0 22-62 2.8
N. Texas 15-122 1-9 2-32 1-38 19-201 10.6
Oregon St. 23-83 2-24 2-17 2-44 29-168 5.8
at USC 33-214 6-34 4-17 3-85 46-350 7.6
ND 19-94 2-9 2-25 3-56 26-184 7.1
Stanford 11-93 0-0 2-77 0-0 13-170 13.1
at WSU 2-0 0- 0 0-0 0-0 2-0 0.0
Totals 141-742 18-170 17-242 10-235 184-1389 7.4 173.6
Redmond has also electrified his teammates with big plays. Below is a breakdown of his "big play" capability as defined by a gain of 20 yards or more for a run, catch or punt return and a kickoff return of 40 yards or more. Redmond has had 10 such plays this season, all of which part of a drive that ended in an ASU score (9 TDs, 1 FG). Of the 32 ASU possessions that have included a "big play" by Redmond in his career, ASU has scored 24 touchdowns and 3 field goals. The Sun Devils have scored on 25 straight possessions that included a Redmond "big play."
Redmond Big Plays
Yd Gain Total Rush Catch PR KR* Led to Score
20-29 14 7 4 3 -- 10
30-39 3 0 2 1 -- 3
40-49 6 1 2 0 3 5
50+ 9 5 1 3 0 9
Total 32 13 9 7 3 27 (24 TDs)
*Big Play Kickoff Return must be more than 40 yards
In 1998, Redmond has also seen limited duty at defensive back. Head coach Bruce Snyder has used Redmond in certain game situations as a safety.
Redmond to Join 2,000 Club J.R. Redmond is 16 rushing yards away from becoming the 15th player in ASU history to rush for 2,000 yards in his Sun Devil career. Including bowl games (which ASU records include), Redmond has 1,984 rushing yards in his career.
ASU Career Rushing Leaders
Name, Years Att. Yds. Avg. Rush TDs
1. Woody Green, 1971-73 675 4,188 6.2 39
2. Freddie Williams, 1973-76 648 3,424 5.3 19
3. Wilford White, 1947-50 505 3,173 6.3 *17
4. Leon Burton, 1955-58 373 2,994 8.0 34
5. Darryl Clack, 1982-85 534 2,737 5.1 21
6. Art Malone, 1967-69 565 2,649 4.7 28
7. Darryl Harris, 1984-87 571 2,617 4.6 22
8. Ben Malone, 1971-73 385 2,474 6.4 25
9. Robert Weathers, 1978-81 411 2,168 5.3 13
10. Nolan Jones, 1958-61 423 2,122 5.0 23
11. Gerald Riggs, 1978-81 400 2,097 5.2 17
12. Michael Martin, 1993, 95-97 422 2,087 4.9 12
13. Mario Bates, 1991-93 420 2,025 4.8 14
14. Bobby Mulgado, 1954-57 367 2,003 5.5 21
J.R. Redmond, 1996-present 368 1,984 5.4 18
*TD Records Incomplete during his era
Ryan Kealy Sophomore QB Ryan Kealy has started 18 of 19 games in his Sun Devil career and his one relief appearance two weeks ago against Stanford seems to have jarred the right-hander from what was a sophomore slump. Kealy came off the bench against Stanford and responded with an 8 of 15, 153-yard, 2-touchdown performance to rally the Sun Devils in the fourth quarter and overtime. Last week, he continued the hot hand with a 22-of-33, 248-yard, 3-TD performance against WSU. In those two games combined, Kealy is 30-of-48 (62.5%) for 401 yds., five touchdowns, zero interceptions and a 167.1 pass efficiency rating. The 1998 season has seen Kealy imitate a roller coaster, playing well in ASU's first three games before a three-game slump forced him to the bench. In ASU's opening three games, Kealy completed 55.9% of his passes (52/93) for an average of 250.0 yards per game with six TDs, three INTs and an efficiency rating of 138.5. Included in those three games was a new career high of 302 yards passing against Washington in the season-opener. In the next three games, Kealy completed 52% of his passes (26/50) for 103 yards per game with 2 TDs, 4 INTs and an efficiency rating of 101.5. Overall, he is averaging 182.8 passing yards per game this season and his efficiency rating of 136.0 ranks fourth in the Pac-10. Kealy has thrown for at least 200 yards nine times in his career and in eight of his last 13 games. He has thrown for at least one touchdown in all but two games this season and in 14 of the 19 games in his career including three three-touchdown and one 4-TD performances. With Kealy at the helm, ASU is 11-7. Kealy was a Sporting News first-team Freshman All-American in 1997, distinguished himself as the top freshman quarterback in ASU history and among the best in Pac-10 history last season.
Kealy Year-by-Year
Year G/GS Comp-Att. Pct. Yds. TD-Int Lg. Avg/G Eff.
1997 11/11 162-297 54.5 2137 15-7 67 194.3 126.9
1998 8/ 7 108-191 56.5 1462 13-7 60 182.8 136.0
Career 19/18 270-488 55.3 3599 28-14 67 189.4 130.5
Kealy 1998 Game-by-Game
Game Comp-Att.Pct. Yds. TD-Int Lg. Eff.
Washington 20-35 57.1 *302 3-0 47 157.9
at BYU 16-34 47.1 241 1-1 46 110.4
N. Texas 16-24 66.7 207 2-2 60 149.5
Oregon St. 12-27 44.4 173 2-1 25 115.3
at USC 1-1 100 17 0-0 17 Injured
Notre Dame 13-22 59.1 121 0-3 24 78.0
Stanford 8-15 53.3 153 2-0 33 183.0
at WSU 22-33 66.7 248 3-0 25 159.8
*Career High
Suffered concussion and did not play after first 3 plays
Chad Elliott
Redshirt freshman Chad Elliott earned his first start as a Sun Devil against Stanford and completed 8 of 17 passes for 92 yards against the Cardinal in three quarters of action. Elliott saw his first extended action as a Sun Devil against USC as he was called upon after Ryan Kealy suffered a concussion and did not return. Elliott played virtually the entire game and completed 16 of 32 passes for 157 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also relieved Kealy during the Notre Dame game and completed 6 of 8 passes against the Irish.
Elliott 1998 Game-by-Game
Game Comp-Att. Pct. Yds. TD-Int Lg. Eff.
Washington Did Not Play
at BYU 4- 7 57.1 45 0-0 16 111.1
N. Texas 0- 1 0 0 0-0 0 n/a
Oregon St. Did Not Play
at USC 16-32 50.0 157 1-1 43 95.3
Note Dame 6- 8 75.0 57 0-0 12 124.4
Stanford 8-17 47.1 92 0-1 26 92.0
at WSU Did Not Play
Totals 34-65 52.3 341 1-2 43 95.3
Grey Ruegamer - Center of Attention Character is something senior center Grey Ruegamer certainly has. Equally as evident are his talent, tireless work ethic and leadership. Named the top center in the nation, Ruegamer is one of 12 semifinalists for the Lombardi Award and also is a candidate for the Outland Trophy. A first-team All-Pac-10 selection in 1997 and an honorable mention All-Pac-10 pick in 1996, Ruegamer has been a staple in ASU's offensive line in each of the last two seasons, with ASU leading the league in rushing each year. Versatility is also a quality of Ruegamer's as he has played center, left tackle and right tackle during his ASU career. In 1997, he graded out at 85 percent or better in all but three games, including a 92% rating against New Mexico State.
Lenzie Jackson -- Leader of the Pack Senior WR Lenzie Jackson heads an ASU wide receiving corps that has been rated as one of the best in the nation. Jackson is ASU's most consistent and dangerous pass catcher as he leads the team with 32 catches for 425 yards in 1998, including 15 receptions for 211 yards in his last three games. Including bowl games, Jackson has a catch in 33 straight games and can tie John Jackson's (USC, 1986-89) Pac-10 record of 37 consecutive games with a reception. He has had at least two receptions in 21 straight games. In the Notre Dame game, Lenzie surpassed J.D. Hill for sixth place on the ASU career receiving list as Jackson caught a season-high seven passes for 90 yards against the Irish. He is three catches shy of surpassing Aaron Cox for fifth-place on that list. Last year, he led the team in with 53 catches for 733 yards and five touchdowns. The 53-catch season was tied for the sixth-best single season in ASU history and he is the ninth receiver in ASU history to pull in 50 or more catches in a season.
He also showed a new facet of his game against this year by returning kicks as he is averaging 22.1 yards per kickoff return and 101.0 all-purpose yards per game.
ASU Career Receptions
Name, Years Rec.
1. John Jefferson, 1974-77 188
2. Eric Guliford, 1989-92 164
3. John Mistler, 1977-80 156
4. Keith Poole, 1993-96 140
5. Aaron Cox, 1984-87 136
6. Lenzie Jackson, 1995-98 134
Jackson Year-by-Year Receiving
Year G/GS Rec. Yds. Avg. TD Lg.
1995 10/1 6 37 6.2 1 12
1996 11/10 36 505 14.0 3 52
1997 11/11 53 733 13.8 5 46
1998 8/ 8 32 425 13.3 3 36
Career 39/29 127 1700 13.4 12 52
(134 catches, 1815 yds, 13 TDs in career if bowl games included)
Jackson 1998 Game-by-Game Receiving
Game Rec. Yds. Avg. TD Lg.
Washington 4 67 16.8 0 36
at BYU 6 66 11.0 1 15
North Texas 3 27 9.0 1 14
Oregon St. 2 32 16.0 1 19
at USC 2 22 11.0 0 12
Notre Dame 7 90 12.9 0 24
Stanford 6 76 12.7 0 26
at WSU 2 45 22.5 0 25
Spreading The Wealth
As a defense prepares for ASU's offense, keying on one receiver is not an appealing option. Eleven different Sun Devils have caught passes for ASU this year and nine have caught two or more passes in one game, eight three or more. Six Sun Devils have 12 or more receptions this season.
Jeff Paulk -- The Incredible Paulk Arizona State has led the Pac-10 in rushing for each of the last two seasons as the Sun Devils have totaled 6,449 rushing yards (including bowl games) from 1996-98, an average of 201.5 yards per game. While the likes of Terry Battle, Michael Martin and J.R. Redmond account for much of that total, senior flyback Jeff Paulk's lead has been a huge reason why. The 6-1, 247-pounder is ASU's most intimidating presence and is the oft-forgotten component of an ASU backfield (QB-TB-FB) that was ranked among the top 3 in the nation by three different preseason publications. Paulk has also seen the ball more often this season, including a seven-carry 93-yard effort at WSU. Paulk has 194 yards on 33 carries for the entire year.
Notes on Defense
Freshmen Impact Redshirt freshman Eric Fields and true freshman Willie Daniel have played an integral role for ASU's defense in the past few weeks. Fields has started each of the last four games at linebacker for the Sun Devils and has totaled 32 tackles on the year, 24 in those four starts. He led ASU with 11 tackles against Notre Dame, shared the lead with five tackles at USC and was second only to Daniel with six tackles against WSU. He is second on the team with 11 tackles for loss. Daniel got his first start of the season last week against WSU and responded with a team-high seven tackles. He picked up the first interception of his career and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown, the first for ASU since Pat Tillman found the endzone on a 16-yard return against Boise State, Oct. 5, 1996.
Rough to Run Arizona State's defense ranks third in the Pac-10 against the run this season and the Sun Devils have been most comfortable against conference opponents. Overall, ASU is giving up 128.9 yards rushing per game. A closer look shows that against Pac-10 opponents the Sun Devils have given up an average of 79.4 yards per game, 2.9 yards per carry and a total of just 24 first downs rushing. In three games against non-conference opponents, ASU has given up 211.3 yards rushing per game, 4.3 yards per rush and 35 rushing first downs.
Beaver Dam Arizona State held Oregon State to 3 points in the Sun Devils first conference win of the year, the fewest points ASU has held a Pac-10 opponent to since Nov. 13, 1993, when ASU defeated UCLA 9-3 in Los Angeles. The Sun Devils also held the Beavers to 9 yards rushing, the fewest by an ASU opponent since California was limited to five yards rushing, Nov. 9, 1996.
Defensive Trends Here's a statistical look at the Sun Devils in each game:
ASU Defense Game-By-Game
Opponent Rush Pass Total Per Play Pts.
Washington 113 318 431 5.7 41
at BYU 214 166 380 4.9 26
North Texas 157 216 373 4.7 15
Oregon State 9 223 232 3.1 3
at USC 23 260 283 5.0 *21
Notre Dame 263 69 332 5.9 *21
Stanford 52 400 452 5.7 38
at WSU 200 282 482 7.2 28
Average 128.9 241.8 370.6 5.2 *24.1
*Does not include points not scored against ASU's defense
Mitchell Freedman -- Fright Night
The veteran leader of Arizona State's defense is senior free safety Mitchell Freedman. Freedman is fourth on the team in tackles with 36 in seven games this season (missed North Texas game with a right thigh strain). The most feared hitter in the Pac-10, Freedman is one of three first-team All-Pac-10 defenders returning this season. Having appeared in 38 games, starting in 36, Freedman has been a staple in ASU's defense for each of the last four seasons. Freedman's picked up the 200th of his ASU career against BYU when he totaled a season-high eight tackles, including one sack. Freedman was the only freshman to be named to the All-Pac-10 first or second teams in his redshirt freshman season when he was credited with a career-high 80 tackles. A second-team All-Pac-10 selection again in 1996, Freedman gave a memorable performance against Nebraska when he forced three fumbles, recovering one, and was named Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Week (all with a broken finger). Last year saw Freedman consistently play well, but once again shine in big games -- as evidenced
by his career high 15 tackles against Washington and forced fumble that sealed ASU's win over eventual Pac-10 champion Washington State.
Freedman Year-by-Year
Year G/GS UT/AT TT TFL/Yds. Sacks/Yds. Int. PD FF FR
1995 10/ 9 49/31 80 0/ 0 0/ 0 0 5 4 2
1996 11/10 39/20 59 3/16 1/11 1 4 3 1
1997 10/10 25/33 58 3/18 2/16 4 4 2 0
1998 7/ 7 16/20 36 2/10 0.5/ 7 1 3 0 0
Career 38/36 129/104 233 8/44 3.5/34 6 16 9 3
Three Amigos
Freedman, senior defensive tackle Albrey Battle and junior cornerback Courtney Jackson are the only returning starters for the 1998 defense. Battle started 11 games and totaled 44 tackles in 1997 and has appeared in 38 games (24 starts) over his Sun Devil career. He has 26 tackles this season, including 10 for loss and 2.5 sacks. Battle garnered a season-high six tackles (3 for loss) against Stanford. Jackson was an honorable mention All-Pac-10 selection in 1997 when he started all 11 games. Jackson has moved from the right corner to the left corner position for this season and is fifth on the team with 35 tackles. He has amassed 82 tackles, three interceptions and 18 pass deflections in 30 appearances (21 starts) as a Sun Devil.
Archie Sophomore linebacker Adam Archuleta was named Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Week after notching 11 tackles against Oregon State. "Archie" had five tackles for loss in the OSU game as he continually stepped in the hole against the run and picked up one sack. Archuleta leads the team with 60 tackles this season, including a team-high 13 for loss. He has led or shared the lead in tackles for three of ASU's eight games.
Back-to-Back Arizona State has led the league in scoring defense for each of the last two seasons. ASU gave up just 17.8 points per game in its Rose Bowl year of 1996 and also led the league in rushing, passing and total defense. Last year, ASU had to replace six starters on the defensive side of the ball and ended the year allowing just 18.5 points per game, once again leading the league. The 1997 defense ranked third in passing and total defense and fourth against the run. The Sun Devils are currently seventh in the Pac-10 in scoring defense in 1998, giving up 26.9 points per game.
Inexperience With only three starters returning, ASU's defense has looked for previous back-ups to step into starting roles. Of the 18 Sun Devils who have started on defense this year, seven had started prior to this season and only four -- Battle, Trejo, C. Jackson & Freedman -- had started more than once in their career. For comparison sake, all but one of ASU's starting offensive unit had previously started a game before Washington with J.R. Redmond's one career start the fewest among them.
Other Notes
Stretch Run Under head coach Bruce Snyder, Arizona State has traditionally played its best football of the season in its last five games of the regular season. Under Snyder, ASU is 23-9 in the last five games of the season, 15-2 over the last four years. Here's a look at each of his six years:
Record Under Snyder (Regular Season)
Year First 6 games Last 5 games
1992 3-3 3-2
1993 2-4 4-1
1994 2-4 1-4
1995 2-4 4-1
1996 6-0 5-0
1997 4-2 4-1
1998 2-4 2-0
Stephen Baker -- A Weapon on Special Teams
ASU freshman punter Stephen Baker has started his ASU career in excellent fashion. He leads the Pac-10 and is second in the nation with a 46.1-yard punting average, which would rank as the second-best average in Pac-10 history. Furthermore, ASU ranks 12th in the nation with a 39.7-yard net punting average. Baker is also ASU's kickoff man and is handling the place kicking duties, hitting five of 11 field goals. He has 11 touchbacks in 35 kickoffs and opponents have an average starting field position of the 23.2 yard line after his kickoffs.
Pac-10's Best Punting Averages
Name, Year No. Yds. Avg.
1. Kirk Wilson, UCLA, 1956 30 1479 49.3
2. Stephen Baker, ASU, 1998 37 1704 46.1
3. Doug Robison, Stanford, 1987 44 2011 45.7
4. Jim Wren, USC, 1996 66 3006 45.5
5. Jason Hanson, WSU, 1990 59 2679 45.4
The Century Mark
ASU had at least one person rush for 100 or more yards in nine of its last 13 and 14 of its last 24 games. J.R. Redmond has cracked the century mark three times this season and Gerald Green once, with ASU going 2-2 in those games. ASU is 225-39-5 (.846) all-time when it has someone top the century mark and is 26-7 (.788) since Bruce Snyder's arrival in Tempe.
Special Teams Here's some numbers pertaining to ASU's special teams:
KO Ret. Avg. Against TB Onside Avg. Opp. Start
ASU* 42 29 22.4 11 1/1 22.8
Opp. 42 30 22.5 10 0/1 26.3
Punts Ret Avg. Against FC Downed *-20 *-10 TB
ASU 39 23 6.7 1 9 6 5 2
Opp. 48 23 11.9 2 19 4 0 5
*fair caught or downed (includes kicked out of bounds) inside 20/10
Maroon Zone
Here's the numbers on how ASU's offense and defense have done inside the 20-yard line.
ASU Pct. Opponents Pct.
Inside 20 32 26
Scored 25 .781 21 .808
TD 22 .688 16 .615
TDs - Pass/Run 12/10 9/7
FG 3 .094 5 .192
Missed FG 3 1
Turnover 2 2
TO on Downs 2 2
Turnover Battle
After a +18 turnover ratio in the last two years, ASU has a -5 differential this season. Opponents have scored 40 points off of 17 Sun Devil turnovers while ASU has turned 12 opponent turnovers into 42 points. Here's a closer look at what those turnovers have meant:
ASU Opp
17 Turnovers 12
Turnovers Result In ...
42 Points 40
6 TD 4
0 FG 4
1 Punt 4
2 Turnover 2
1 Missed FG 1
1 TO on Downs 2
1 End of Half 0
Third-Down Conversions
ASU Opp.
Washington 12/19/63% 8/15/53%
at Brigham Young 4/13/31% 2/15/13%
North Texas 8/12/67% 5/13/38%
Oregon State 5/18/28% 7/19/37%
at USC 10/23/43% 3/12/25%
Notre Dame 6/13/46% 4/11/36%
Stanford 6/16/38% 7/18/39%
at WSU 6/18/33% 4/15/27%
Total 57/132/43% 40/118/34%
Turnover Edge In its last 37 games (dating back to 1995), ASU has a turnover ratio of +25 (82-57). In that span, ASU has accumulated 37 INTs and 47 fumble recoveries while opponents have registered 31 interceptions and 28 recoveries. ASU is 28-9 during the stretch. However, ASU is -5 this year.
East-West Invites Sun Devil seniors Lenzie Jackson, Mitchell Freedman and Grey Ruegamer have been invited to play in the senior all-star East-West Shrine game in Palo Alto, Calif.
Sun Devils in the NFL Arizona State had 25 former players make NFL rosters (does not include practice squads) at the beginning of the 1998 season. A list of Sun Devils in the NFL: Eric Allen (Raiders), Trace Armstrong (Dolphins), Mario Bates (Cardinals), Steve Bush (Bengals), David Dixon (Vikings), Eric Guliford (Saints), Paul Justin (Bengals), Jason Kyle (Seahawks), Randall McDaniel (Vikings), Craig Newsome (Packers), Anthony Parker (Buccaneers), Jake Plummer (Cardinals), Keith Poole (Saints), Damien Richardson (Panthers), Derrick Rodgers (Dolphins), Juan Roque (Lions), Dan Saleaumua (Seahawks), Jason Simmons (Steelers), Derek Smith (Redskins), Phillippi Sparks (Giants), Jeremy Staat (Steelers), Shawn Swayda (Falcons), J.T. Thomas (Rams), Pat Tillman (Cardinals) and Darren Woodson (Cowboys).
True Talent Four Sun Devils from last year's squad made the NFL this year --Damien Richardson, Jason Simmons, Jeremy Staat and Pat Tillman. In addition, Vince Amey is on the Oakland Raiders practice squad. Amey, Richardson, Simmons and Tillman all played as true freshman and never redshirted while Staat was a JC transfer and also played immediately.
Draft Success Over the course of the last two NFL Drafts, Arizona State has had 13 players picked - the third-highest total among college programs in the nation. Here's a look:
NFL Draft Picks, 1997 & 1998 Team Picks 1. Florida State 16 2. Nebraska 14 3. Arizona State 13 Washington 13 5. Colorado 12 North Carolina 12 7. Tennessee 11 8. Miami 10 9. Florida 9 Stanford 9
Unfamiliar Territory ASU's No. 8 preseason ranking by the Associated Press was the second time in Sun Devil history that ASU has been ranked in the top 10 by AP prior to a season. ASU's only other preseason top 10 appearance was in 1976 when it was ranked third, behind Nebraska and Michigan. ASU has appeared in the AP preseason poll a total of 15 times, most recently at No. 20 in 1996.
Missing the Bruins The Pac-10 schedule includes eight conference games and the conference rotates which team a school misses every two years. ASU will miss UCLA in 1998 and is scheduled to miss Oregon State in 1999 and 2000.
Snyder in ASU History Head coach Bruce Snyder is the second-winningest coach in ASU history. Snyder's seventh year of service makes him only the fourth coach at ASU to have a tenure of more than five seasons. Frank Kush's 22 seasons and 176 wins are the most in Sun Devil history while Aaron McCreary (7 seasons, 1923-29) and ASU's first football coach, Fred Irish (8 seasons), each stayed longer than a half-decade.
Coach Years Record
Frank Kush 1958-79 176-54-1
Bruce Snyder 1992-Present 45-31-0
Darryl Rogers 1980-84 37-18-1
Sun Devil Stadium -- 40th Anniversary 1998 marks the 40th anniversary of Sun Devil Stadium. Originally constructed in 1958 with a capacity of 30,000, the Stadium has undergone a number of renovations and expansions in 40 years and is recognized as one of the best collegiate stadiums in the nation. It has provided ASU with a significant home field edge since its inception. Arizona State is 200-66-3 (.749) all-time in Sun Devil Stadium and 12-4 since the playing surface was dedicated as Frank Kush Field in 1996.
Attendance ASU has drawn seven of the nine largest crowds in ASU history in the past three years, including a record 74,963 to the Rose Bowl-clinching win over California in 1996. ASU drew an average of 63,884 to seven home games in 1996, a jump of 15,003 from the previous season - the largest increase in the nation. Last year, ASU drew the fifth-largest crowd in ASU history to the Arizona game (73,682) and the sixth-largest to the WSU game (73,644). ASU bettered its 1996 average attendance by averaging 66,014 fans at home in 1997 -- 2,130 more than 1996. The Sun Devils sold over 52,000 season tickets for the 1998 season, the most since the 1987 season. ASU drew the seventh-largest crowd in ASU history -- 73,501 -- to the Notre Dame game, and drew 72,118 to their season-opener against Washington, the 13th largest crowd in ASU history. After five home games this year, ASU's average attendance is 64,912, third-best in the Pac-10.
Pac-10 Poll Arizona State was picked to finish second in the Pac-10 in a preseason poll of West Coast media members that regularly cover the league. UCLA received 16 of 30 first-place votes to be tabbed as the favorite for 1997. ASU garnered the other 14 first place votes in the closest poll in 20 years. The complete poll:
Pac-10 Anniversary 1998 marks the 20th anniversary of ASU men's sports joining the Pac-10 Conference. Since 1978, the Sun Devil football squad has finished in the upper-half of the conference standing 14 of 20 times including two conference championships (1986, 1996). Sun Devils have earned All-Pac-10 acclaim 205 times, including 57 first-team selections, 61 second-team selections and 87 honorable mentions. Since joining the Pac-10, ASU's conference record is 84-65-4 (.562) and 143-88-4 (.617) overall.1. UCLA (16) 284 6. Oregon 157 2. Arizona State (14) 281 7. Washington State 109 3. Washington 217 8. Stanford 95 4. USC 197 9. California 81 5. Arizona 193 10. Oregon State 36
Bowl Lineup The Bowl Championship Series begins in 1998 and for the first time the Pac-10 is a part of the equation. If a Pac-10 team is ranked No. 1 or 2 at the end of the season, it will play in the Fiesta Bowl January 4 in Tempe for the national championship. If the Pac-10 champion is not No. 1 or 2, it will automatically be part of the Rose Bowl against the Big Ten champion or, if the Big Ten champ is No. 1 or 2, an at-large team. The Pac-10 also has bowl ties with the Holiday, Sun, Aloha and Mele Kalikimaka Bowls, assuring that five Pac-10 teams will participate in post-season competition.
Bowl, Site, Date, TV, Matchup
Fiesta, Tempe, Jan. 4, ABC, National Championship
Rose, Pasadena, Jan. 1, ABC, Pac-10 #1 vs. BigTen #1
Holiday, San Diego, Dec. 30, ESPN, Pac-10 #2 vs. TBD
Sun, El Paso, Dec. 31, CBS, Pac-10 #3 vs. BigTen #5
Aloha, Honolulu, Dec. 25, ABC, Pac-10 #4 vs. At-Large
Mele Kalikimaka, Honolulu, Dec. 25, Pac-10 #5 vs. WAC #2 or #3
Fox Sports Arizona -- ASU's TV home Fox Sports Arizona is the local television home of all Sun Devil athletic teams, including football. Head coach Bruce Snyder will appear on the bi-weekly magazine show "Running with the Sun Devils," hosted by Tom Dillon. The show will typically be televised every-other Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. Fox Sports Arizona will also show a replay of most Sun Devil football games Sunday's at 4:00 p.m.
KMVP -- ASU's Radio Home KMVP (860 AM) is the radio home of ASU Athletics. KMVP and its sister station, KTAR 620 AM, will carry all Sun Devil football games live. Tim Healey and Jeff Van Raaphorst handle the play-by-play and color duties, respectively. Ex-Sun Devil Kyle Murphy will be part of the pre- and post-game shows this season. KMVP is also home to the Bruce Snyder Show, hosted by Kevin Ray, which airs every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Bruce Snyder Press Conference ASU head coach Bruce Snyder hosts a press conference every Monday at noon in the Hall of Fame Room on the 5th Floor of the ICA Building. If possible, that week's opposing coach will also be available for a teleconference at the same time.
Practice Schedule ASU typically practices on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during game week. Players and coaches are available for interviews following the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday practices (some restrictions may apply). All interviews must be arranged through the ASU Media Relations Office.
Pac-10 Teleconference Pac-10 head football coaches will be available on a media teleconference every other Tuesday during the 1998 season, beginning Tuesday, Sept. 15. The teleconference begins at 10:30 a.m. MST and a taped replay will be available beginning at 3 p.m. MST and anytime following. ASU head coach Bruce Snyder is on at 11:55 a.m. MST. Refer to the Pac-10 weekly release or call the Pac-10 or ASU media relations office for more details.
Pac-10 Weekly Video Feed A half-hour football video feed will run weekly during the football season, courtesy of the Pac-10 Conference. The feed will feature game highlights and interviews with head coaches and top players regarding upcoming games. The feed airs from noon to 12:30 p.m. MST every Wednesday beginning September 9 through November 25. Satellite coordinates are Telestar 4, Transponder 20 (C-Band).
www.TheSunDevils.com ASU Athletics official home page has everything you need and more. All releases, game statistics, quotes, rosters and more are available at www.TheSunDevils.com. Information regarding Heisman trophy candidate J.R. Redmond can be found at www.TheSunDevils.com/redmond.
Radio Network KMVP (860 AM) is the flagship station of the ASU Radio Network which includes:
Station City
KTAR (620 AM) Phoenix, Ariz.
KAAA (1230 AM) Kingman, Ariz.
KATO (1230 AM) Safford, Ariz.
KZUA (92.1 FM) Holbrook, Ariz.
KIKO (106.1 FM) Globe/Miami, Ariz.
KYCA (1490 AM) Prescott, Ariz.
KSHP (1400 AM) Las Vegas, Nev.
KRKO (1380 AM) Seattle, Wash.