Sept. 1, 2007
Recap | Stats | Quotes | Photo Gallery
ARIZONA STATE NOTES
· Opening with a Win: With the its victory over San Jose State, Arizona State moved to 66-27-2 all-time in season openers and 46-15-1 when opening the season at home. The victory also marks the seventh season in a row ASU has won its home opener and the 11th time in the last 12 years.
· On Your Marks: The Sun Devil ground game had a strong showing in Head Coach Dennis Erickson's debut with ASU as the running back trio of Ryan Torain, Keegan Herring and Preston Jones tallied 238 yards on 46 carries with three touchdowns. As a team, the Sun Devils accumulated 259 yards on the ground on 53 carries between six individuals.
· Get Your Motor Running: Early in the second quarter, RB Ryan Torain rushed for his second touchdown of the game and brought his game total to 113 yards on 14 carries. Torain finished the game with 123 yards on the ground and three touchdowns to record his fifth-career 100-plus yard game. Including the final two games of the 2006 season, Torain has rushed for over 100 yards in three straight games.
· Six By Ground: RB Ryan Torain scored three touchdowns against San Jose State, all on the ground and recording the first multiple-scoring game of his Arizona State career. During the 2006 season, his first with the program, Torain scored once each in seven different games.
· Career Firsts: WR Kerry Taylor hauled in an 11-yard TD reception from QB Rudy Carpenter with 10:21 remaining in the third quarter for his first career collegiate score. Later in the third quarter, QB Danny Sullivan connected on a five-yard strike to TE Andrew Pettes for his first career TD pass.
· Pick Pockets: Both LB Robert James (first quarter) and DT David Smith (second quarter) recorded their second career interceptions in the game with Smith's leading to an ASU touchdown on the ensuing drive. James halted San Jose State's first drive of the game as he intercepted QB Adam Tafralis on the ASU 47 yard line and returned the ball six yards. It was James' second career interception with his first coming in 2005 at Oregon State. Smith, who pulled a Tafralis pass out of the air and rumbled 18 yards, last picked a pass during the 2006 game at Arizona.
· One Shy: With the victory over San Jose State, Dennis Erickson moved one win closer to career victory 150, improving his collegiate record to 149-65-1.
· Hash Marks: The first punt of the game for Arizona State came with 6:11 remaining in the third quarter. Prior to that, the Sun Devil offense had seven previous drives that resulted in five touchdowns, one field goal and one fumble lost. ... Thomas Weber went a perfect 1-1 in field goal attempts (44 yards) and 6-6 in PAT attempts in his first collegiate game.
SAN JOSE STATE NOTES
· Isaac Leatiota (LG) and Moa Ngatuvai (RG) became the first first-time freshmen to start a game in the offensive line for San Jose State since freshman eligibility was reinstated in 1972. Only four first-time freshmen have started games in the offensive line for the Spartans since 1972.
· Besides Leatitota and Ngatuvai, John Konye (TE), Jalal Beauchman (WR), Mohamed Marah (RB), Justin Willis (DT), Ryno Gonzalez (LB), Dominique Hunsucker (S) and Jonathan Harris (S) made their first major college start in the Arizona State game.
· San Jose State played 13 freshmen in the season opener. (OG) Isaac Leatiota, (C) Robbie Reed, (OG) Moa Ngatuvai, (OG) Fred Koloto, (WR) Michael Avila, (TE) John Konye, (DT) Ailao Eliapo, (LB) Braden Storaasli, (LB) Jason Swisher, (CB) Devin Newsome, (S) Pompey Festejo, (S) Duke Ihenacho, and (QB) Jordan La Secla all saw action.
· Waylon Prather's 62-yard second-quarter punt was his third 60-plus yard punt of his career. Prather booted two punts of 60 or more yards in 2006.
· Two of the Spartans' three brother combinations played in the game. (DE) Carl and (S) Duke Ihenacho played together on the second defensive possession in the second half. (QB) Sean and (WR) Kyle Flynn were on the field at the same time for San Jose State's second offensive possession in the third quarter.