THE GAME - Sun Devil Football is back on the road for the second consecutive weekend, this time for a tilt at Colorado this Saturday, Oct. 29 at Folsom Field in Boulder. The game is scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. AZT kickoff (5:30 p.m. in Colorado) on ESPNU (Drew Carter and Rene Ingoglia 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 BUFFALOES - Arizona State leads the all-time series over the Buffaloes, 9-3, including a 35-13 victory in Tempe last season. Prior to that, CU had won three of the previous four contests - its only three victories over ASU in the series history.
KICKING OFF
- ASU has held opponents to less than 30 points in 32 of 50 games since 2018 (64.0 percent), notable as it DID allow 30+ in 32 of 43 previous games (74.4 percent) in a span from 2013-17.
- ASU is 4th in the nation in only allowed seven plays over 30 yards this season. ASU's one play allowed over 50 yards this season is also fourth nationally.
- Since 2018, ASU has held opponents to 400 total yards of offense or less on 27 occasions over 50 games (54.0 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 nine straight games dating back to last season and 14 of the last 15 games.
- ASU extended its streak of games with at least one takeaway to 16 straight games, the second longest streak in the FBS (Georgia State, 19)
- Since 2018, ASU has rushed for 100+ yards in 39 of 50 games (78.0 percent).
- ASU has held two opponents this season without a touchdown (NAU and Stanford), the first time it has accomplished the feat since 2010.
- In the last 38:01 of being on the field over the course of 103 plays (83 at Stanford and final 20 vs. Washington), the ASU defense has not given up a touchdown. It kept Stanford out of the end zone for the 31:38 it had the ball and Washington had its final drives stall that were 3:36 and 2:47 in length.
- While ASU's sack totals haven't quite been there this year, the teams defensive linemen have combined for 21 QB hits on the season, the 15th-most of any defensive line in the FBS. The group also has 63 total hurries, 29th among all FBS defensive lines.
AN ASU VICTORY WOULD...
- End the team's streak of losses in road/neutral site games at five games - its longest since the team lost 7 straight road/neutral games in the last five of 2016 and first two of 2017.
- Be ASU's first victory at Folsom Field since 2014, having lost the last two contests played there.
- Be the Sun Devils' second-straight win over CU after having lost three of the previous four games.
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
- 77 rushing yards for X Valladay to reach 4,000 for his career (currently at 3,923)
- 7 tackles for Merlin Robertson to reach 300 in his career (currently at 293)
#10THINGS (Twitter-Friendly Notes)
1. Khoury Bethley (3,092) and Merlin Robertson (2,978) have played the third and sixth-most career snaps among all active FBS players.
2. ASU has held opponents to less than 30 points in 32 of 50 games since 2018, notable as it DID allow 30+ in 32 of 43 previous games dating back in a span from 2013-17.
3. Opponents have an NFL quarterback rating of just 81.0 since the start of 2020 - the 13th-lowest mark in the FBS.
4. ASU's defensive linemen have combined for 21 quarterback hits this season, good for 15th among defensive lines in the FBS.
5. Since 2020, ASU has been stuffed at or behind the line of scrimmage on just 6.0 percent of its rushes - the fifth-lowest tally in the FBS.
6. Kyle Soelle is second in the FBS in averaging 12.4 tackles per game this season and his 87 total tackles are third in the nation.
7. The Sun Devil defense has gone 103 consecutive plays without allowing an opponent touchdown over the last game and change.
8. ASU has an interception in nine straight games and 14 of the last 15 games dating back to last season.
9. Center Ben Scott has played on 419 of ASU's 422 offensive plays this season - taking only the final three plays of the Sun Devil rout over NAU off.
10 . ASU has allowed just seven plays over 30 yards this season, a tally good for 4th in the FBS.
#BYTHENUMBERS
29- Elijhah Badger's 28.9 percent target share this season when he is on the field is tops among all Pac-12 receivers (26th in the FBS) and his 131.0 NFL QB rating when targeted is fourth among Pac-12 receivers with at least 35 targets (14th in the FBS). He is currently fifth in the league with a receiving grade of 81.4 on the season (min. 40 targets). Badger is responsible for 24 of ASU's 73 first downs by passing this year. His 10 missed tackles forced are tied for third among league receivers. His 2.82 receiving yards per route run this year are third in the league.
9- The Devils have an interception in nine straight games dating back to last season and 14 of the last 15 games. The Sun Devils have forced a turnover in 16 straight games, the second-longest active streak in the FBS behind Georgia State (19). Opponents have an NFL quarterback rating of just 81.0 since the start of 2021 - the 13th-lowest mark in the FBS. The 6.6 yards attempt in that time are 26th in the FBS in that time. ASU has allowed just 21 passing touchdowns since the start of 2021 - tied for the 7th fewest in the FBS. The secondary has contested a target on 18.6 percent of passing plays since the start of 2020 (140/753) - the 17th-highest percentage in the FBS.
7- The Devils have allowed just seven opponent plays over 30 yards this season, a tally good for 4th in the FBS. 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). Since 2018, ASU has allowed just 65 TOTAL 30-plus yard plays (1.3 per game/50 games)). For perspective, from 2014-17, ASU gave up 38, 44, 40, 40 such plays, respectively ranked 116th, 124th, 117th and 119th. ASU has allowed just eight plays over 50 yards to opponents since the 2018 season over 50 games (1 this year). The .16 50+ yard plays/pg are second-fewest in the FBS in that time behind only Washington (.12 on 6 over 51 games).
2- Kyle Soelle is second in the nation in averaging 12.4 tackles per game this season and his 87 total tackles on the year currently sit third in the FBS. Soelle is also second among Pac-12 linebackers in being credited with 23 defensive stops this season. Soelle has played on 491 of ASU's 521 defensive snaps this season, the most of any linebacker in the Pac-12 and third-most of any Power Five linebacker. Soelle has reeled off six-straight games with at least 10 tackles - the most for a Sun Devil since Christian Sam had seven-straight in 2017. His 18 tackles against EMU are tied for the sixth-most in a single game by an FBS player this season while his 16 against OSU are third by an FBS player against a ranked opponent.
1- Khoury Bethley's 3,092 career snaps are the most of any active FBS safety and third-most of any FBS player. Khoury Bethley is currently the highest player in the Pac-12 and 13th-highest graded safety in the FBS on run defense this year (82,9, min. 250 snaps). His 12 defensive stops this season are tied for seventh among Pac-12 safeties. He is currently tops among all active FBS defensive backs and seventh among active players with 340 career tackles. His 245 solo tackles are the most of any active player in the FBS - 13 more than any other player.
RUSH HOUR
- Despite playing significantly fewer games than the teams ahead of it, ASU's 59 rushing touchdowns since the beginning of 2020 are 36th among all FBS teams. ASU has accomplished the feat in 24 games, where none of the teams ranked ahead of ASU have fewer than 29 games over the last three years.
- Since 2020, ASU has been stuffed at or behind the line of scrimmage on just 6.0 percent of its rushes - good for the fifth-lowest tally in the FBS. The team has averaged 3.4 yards after contact per rush in that time - 13th in the FBS.
- Since 2020, ASU has picked up a first down or touchdown on 31.4 percent of its rushes - 20th-most in the FBS.
- Since the start of last year, ASU has 118 explosive runs (10+ yards) - 32nd-most in the FBS.
- Since 2018, ASU has rushed for 100+ yards in 39 of 50 games (78.0 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 67 offensive turnovers overall since 2019, 21st among all FBS teams despite playing significantly fewer games than most schools in 2020.
- ASU has outscored opponents 864-467 in points off takeaways since 2012.
- Since 2012, ASU has scored 63.2 percent of the time following an opponent turnover (146 of 231) while finding the end zone 108 times in that span (46.8 percent).
- Conversely, opponents have scored just 48.8 percent of the time following an ASU turnover since 2012 (81 of 166) with 60 touchdowns (36.1 percent).
- ASU has seven interceptions (and at least one in each game) - tied for 30th nationally a year removed from finished eighth in the FBS with 16 interceptions.
- ASU has an interception in nine straight games and 14 of the last 15 dating back to last year.
- The team has forced a takeaway in 16-straight games, the second-longest active streak in the FBS (Georgia State, 19).
GETTING DEFENSIVE
- ASU has had just one 50+ yard play allowed by the defense this season, tied for fourth-fewest in the FBS.
- ASU was the only team in the FBS to not allow a 50-yard play last year but had its 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 eight plays over 50 yards to opponents since the 2018 season over 50 games. The .16 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.
- Last season, the Sun Devils were 13th in the FBS and tops in the league in allowing just 326.0 yards of offense per game. ASU gave up just 120 to NAU in the opener - the fourth-lowest tally for any ASU opponent since 1996.
- Since 2018, ASU has held opponents to the 400 or less mark for total offensive yards on 27 occasions over 50 games (54.0 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). The 2022 team is currently tied for 4th in the FBS with just seven allowed.
- Since 2018, ASU has allowed just 65 TOTAL 30-plus yard plays (1.3 per game/50 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.
KEEP 'EM OFF THE BOARD
- Since 2019, ASU has held opponents to a 19.6 touchdown drive percentage in the second half of games (43 of 219) - the 14th-lowest in the FBS.
- The Sun Devils have allowed just 142 offensive touchdowns (2.8 per game/50 games) since 2018 - the 28th-lowest tally 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 61 second-half touchdowns to opponents since 2018 - 9th-fewest in the FBS.
- ASU has held opponents to less than 30 points in 31 of 50 games since 2018, notable as it DID allow 30+ in 32 of 43 previous games dating back to a span from 2013-17.
- ASU finished 22nd in the FBS and tops in the Pac-12 in allowing just 20.8 points per game in 2021. In 2020, 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.
- Last season, ASU was 22nd in the FBS and tops in the Pac-12 in allowing just 20.8 points per game.
- With second-half shutouts over UNLV, UCLA and Wisconsin last season, it was the first time ASU had held three opponents without a second-half point in a season since 2007. ASU also pitched a second half shutout against NAU in the opener.
- Last year, ASU was third in the FBS in allowing just 7.1 second-half points per game against its FBS opponents. ASU outscored teams 192-92 in the second half of games last year and 110-42 in the fourth quarter.
NO FLY ZONE
- ASU has 54 interceptions since 2018 - 24th in the FBS in that time despite playing significantly fewer games than most teams in 2020.
- The Devils have an interception in nine straight games dating back to last season and 14 of the last 15 games.
- ASU finished 8th in the FBS last season with 16 interceptions and has eight through this season - good for 27th in the FBS.
- The team has 39 total pass defenses on the year, a tally that sits tied for 25th in the FBS. The team's 5.57 passes defended per game are tied for 15th.
- Since the start of last season, ASU has allowed just 1,942 yards after the catch - the 25th-lowest tally in the FBS.
- Opponents have an NFL quarterback rating of just 81.0 since the start of 2021 - the 13th-lowest mark in the FBS. The 6.6 yards attempt in that time are 21st in the FBS in that time.
- The average depth of opponent passing targets this season is just 7.9 yards, the 13th-lowest tally in the FBS.
- ASU has allowed just 21 passing touchdowns since the start of 2021 - tied for the 7th-fewest in the FBS.
- The team has allowed an explosive pass percentage (15+ yards) just 12.9 percent of the time since 2020 - 27th in the FBS - while its 3.6 percent interception rate is 10th in the FBS.
- The secondary has contested a target on 18.6 percent of passing plays since the start of 2020 (140/753) - the 17th-highest percentage in the FBS.
- Three times last season, ASU has held an opponent under 100 passing yards - the most in a season since 1996. ASU also did so in the 2022 opener against NAU.
- ASU's coverage forced incompletion rate of 10.9 percent since the start of last year - sixth in the Power Five.
- Since 2018, the Sun Devil secondary has allowed just 21 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.
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 seven games this season, he has played on 419 of ASU's 422 offensive snaps this year - all but the final three snaps of ASU's season opening rout over NAU. His 24-game start streak is easily the longest on the team.
- Scott ranks in the Top-50 in grades as a pass blocker among centers (min. 225 pass blocking snaps).
- He has allowed just one sack on the year, tied for 16th 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 matched a career-high with 11 tackles in the team's opener against NAU.
- 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 2,978 snaps, which is the sixth-fewest of the 37 active FBS linebacker with over 2000 snaps played over the last four+ seasons, though he has played over 400 more snaps than USF's Dwayne Boyles (28 on 2,564 snaps) and over 700 more snaps than the players ranked 1-4 (20, 23, 23, 27 missed tackles respectively).
- Robertson has 43 starts in his career and his 294 tackles are 22nd among active FBS players (27th among linebackers) while his six interceptions are in the Top-5 among active FBS linebackers
- He has played 2,978 career snaps – the second-most among active linebackers in the FBS this season (Troy's Carlton Martial at 3,090) 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 3,923 with 642 of those coming this season.
- He needs 77 yards to become just the 143rd player in the history of FBS football to reach 4,000 career rushing yards.
- He became the first running back in the FBS to rush and catch a touchdown in back-to-back games this season, doing so against USC and UW.
- His 5.90 yards per carry this season are 36th in the FBS while his 566 overall rushing yards are 33rd.
- His nine total touchdowns this season are 29th in the FBS and second 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 97 explosive runs (10+) yards since 2018 - fourth-most among active FBS backs.
- His eight 20+ yard rushing plays this season are tied for sixth in the FBS.
- He has forced 133 missed tackles in his career, ninth 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 18 100+-yard performances in his career with 14 at Wyoming and four 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 four in six games this year.
SILVERA IS GOLD
- Nesta Jade Silvera has 58 career stops on run defense - good for 10th among active FBS interior linemen.
- He has 29 career tackles for loss or stops for no gain on run defense as well, good for second among active 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 144 career tackles are sixth among all active FBS interior linemen. His 39 tackles this year are fourth among FBS interior linemen.
- A consistent presence over his four years at Miami, Silvera has now played in 45 games during his career and became a starter at defensive tackle his junior year and has started 18 games over the past two seasons in the ACC.
- Silvera appeared in 11 games during the 2021 season, starting eight of them.
- In 2021, he was the fourth-highest graded interior lineman in the ACC last season 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
- He was extremely productive from his interior position, collecting 38 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss while also recovering a fumble. He also enjoyed a breakout junior season when he started 10 games and saw action in all 11 games for the Hurricanes in 2020 as he earned All-ACC Honorable Mention recognition after leading all interior defensive linemen in total tackles (35) and tackles for loss (8.0).
NEVERENDING KHOURY
- Khoury Bethley is currently the highest player in the Pac-12 and 13th-highest graded safety in the FBS on run defense this year (82,9, min. 250 snaps).
- His 12 defensive stops this season are tied for seventh among Pac-12 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 3,092 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 seventh among active players with 340 career tackles. His 245 solo tackles are the most of any active player in the FBS - 13 more than any other player.
- He 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.
GREEN LIGHT GO
- B.J. Green has been credited with 15 QB pressures on the season. However, he has done it on significantly less snaps than many of the players ahead of him. He has generated a pressure on 16.0 percent of his passing rushing snaps this season - good for third among FBS interior linemen.
- He has been credited with a "win" on 25.5 percent of his snaps this season, the highest tally among FBS interior linemen with at least 90 pass rush snaps.
- Additionally, he has been credited with nine plays where he beat his defender but was denied a QB pressure by other factors - tied for 17th-most in the FBS. His 24 QB pressures+beaten defenders but no pressure are Top-25 among FBS interior linemen.
- His 85.3 grade as a pass rusher is 7th-best among FBS interior linemen this season with at least 90 pass-rushing snaps.
- Green was the team's highest graded pass rusher last season, earning a score of 75.7 on pass rush snaps. He played 117 snaps on the year, of which 104 were as a pass rusher.
- Green created a QB pressure (19 total) on 18.3 percent of his pass rush snap on the year, which was tops among any defensive lineman in the Pac-12 last year with at least 100 pass rushing snaps, ranking ahead of NFL first round draft pick Kayvon Thibodeaux (17.6).
- It was the 31st-highest percentage of any player in the FBS and second among all interior defensive linemen behind only Ohio State's Tyleik Williams (18.4 percent)
- His pass rush productivity rating (a formula accounting for sacks/hits/pressures divided by play count) was 11.5 - the highest of any player in the Pac-12 with 100+ pass-rush snaps
- This mark was good for 22nd in the nation and second of all interior linemen (again behind only Williams - 11.8)
- Green "won" 22.1 percent of his pass rushing snaps on the year (a formula using pressures and defeated defenders, subtracting unblocked pressures and divided by pass rushing snaps), a total good for 32nd in the FBS among all players with at least 100 pass rushing stats and second among all interior lineman (Florida State's Dennis Briggs. Jr. - 24.8).
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 has reeled off six-straight games with at least 10 tackles - the most for a Sun Devil since Christian Sam had seven-straight in 2017.
- Soelle is second in the nation in averaging 12.4 tackles per game this season and his 87 total tackles on the year currently sit third in the FBS.
- Soelle's 82 tackles over this most recent six-game span are the most for a Sun Devil player in a six-game span since at least beyond the 2000 season, as far back as easily accessible records go.
- Soelle has played on 491 of ASU's 521 defensive snaps this season, the most of any linebacker in the Pac-12 and third-most of any Power Five linebacker.
- 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 23 defensive stops this season.
BADGER DON'T CARE
- Elijhah Badger has emerged as one of the top receiving threats in the Pac-12, currently fifth in the league with a receiving grade of 81.4 on the season (min. 40 targets).
- He became the first Sun Devil to have three straight games with 75 or more receiving yards since N'Keal Harry in 2018 with his efforts against Oklahoma State, EMU and Utah.
- Badger is responsible for 24 of ASU's 73 first downs by passing this year.
- His 10 missed tackles forced are tied for third among league receivers.
- His 2.82 receiving yards per route run this year are third in the league.
- His 28.9 percent target share this season when he is on the field is tops among all Pac-12 receivers (26th in the FBS) and his 131.0 NFL QB rating when targeted is fourth among Pac-12 receivers with at least 40 targets (14th in the FBS).
- He has just two drops on the year, tied for seventh-fewest among Pac-12 receivers with at least 35 targets.
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 75.7 yards per game.
- USC running back Travis Dye has over 100 rushing yards in four games. Arizona State held him to only 62 yards on 13 carries. Dye is averaging 92.4 yards per game
- Oklahoma State wide receiver Brennan Presley 60 or more receiving yards in four of the first five games. The only game in which he didn't have 60+ was against Arizona State, when he was held to 23 yards on four catches. Presley averages 58.3 yards per game.
- 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
- USC QB Caleb Williams' (230 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 (205 pass attempts) has only three picks this season, one of which was by Arizona State's Kyle Soelle.
- Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. (288 pass attempts) has only four picks this season, one courtesy of Arizona State's Jordan Clark.