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Territorial Cup Awaits Sun Devil Football In Tucson

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Territorial Cup Awaits Sun Devil Football In TucsonTerritorial Cup Awaits Sun Devil Football In Tucson

THE GAME -  Sun Devil Football will conclude the regular season this weekend on the road with the playing of the 96th Edition of the Territorial Cup Game against rival Arizona this Friday, Nov. 25 at Arizona Stadium in Tucson beginning at 1 p.m. AZT. The contest will be broadcast on the FS1 (Adam Alexander and Devin Gardner on the call) and available over the airwaves locally on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM (Tim Healey, Jeff Van Raaphorst, Jeff Munn).

ON THE WILDCATS -  This will be the 96th Duel in the Desert, with Arizona leading the all-time series 49-45-1. The vast majority of those Wildcat wins came prior to 1950, however.  Since 1949, ASU holds a 44-29-1 record in the series. The winner of the game will receive (or retain) the Territorial Cup Trophy, and the game is recognized by the NCAA as the nation's oldest rivalry trophy game. The Sun Devils have won five straight games in the rivalry - four of which have come by at least two possessions, including a 70-7 rout in 2020. While neither team is bowl eligible this season, the victor on Friday will take home the Territorial Cup and finish with the higher ranking in the Pac-12 standings at the end of the year.

KICKING OFF

  • ASU has held opponents to less than 30 points in 33 of 54 games since 2018 (61.1 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 29 occasions over 54 games (53.7 percent of the time). For comparison, ASU accomplished the feat just 24 times in the 65 previous games (36.9 percent) from 2013-2017.
  • Since 2018, ASU has rushed for 100+ yards in 43 of 54 games (79.6 percent).
  • While ASU's sack totals haven't quite been there this year, the team's defensive linemen (interior and edge defenders only) have combined for 34 QB hits on the season, tied for the 10th-most of any defensive line in the FBS. The group also has 116 total hurries, 16th among all FBS defensive lines.'The group has 165 total quarterback pressures credited this season - 17th among all FBS defensive lines.
  • 270 of Conyers' 346 receiving yards have come in the last four games - the highest tally among FBS tight ends in the last four weeks. His four touchdowns are the most among FBS tight ends in that time while his 12 first downs receiving are third. He has 140 yards after contact in that stretch. No other FBS tight end has more than 69.
  • Ro Torrence has allowed just 173 yards to receivers in coverage this season - the lowest in the Pac-12 by nearly 50 yards and the 20th-lowest tally in the FBS. His 0.60 yards allowed per coverage snap are third in the Pac-12 and 18th in the FBS.
  • B.J. Green has a pass rush productive rating ((sacks + (.5 x hits) + (.5 x hurries)/play count) of 13.0 this season, tops among all FBS defensive lineman.

AN ASU VICTORY WOULD...

  • Give ASU its sixth straight Territorial Cup victory, which would stand alone as the second-longest winning streak in the modern era for EITHER team behind only ASU's nine-game winning streak from 1965-73.
  • Give ASU 10 wins in the last 13 games of the series.
  • Improve ASU to 18-9 in the series since 1996.
  • Help the Sun Devils avoid the worst final season record since a 3-8 campaign in 1994.

LOCAL ARIZONA PREPS THAT CHOSE TO PLAY AT ASU
There are no shortage of standout Sun Devils that chose to #StayTrue2ASU and compete for the homestate Sun Devils over the years, including: Corey Adams, Adam Archuleta, Mario Bates, Bob Breunig, Steve Bush, Kyle Caldwell, Curley Culp, D.J. Davidson, Dexter Davis, Levi Jones, D.J. Foster, Kevin Galbreath, Larry Gordon, Eric Guliford, N'Keal Harry, Todd Heap, Keelan Johnson, Tyler Johnson, Todd Kalis, Chase Lucas, Randall McDaniel, Shaun McDonald, Chris McGaha, Jamal Miles, Zach Miller, Kevin Miniefield, Mike Nixon, Colin Parker, Mike Pollak, Gerell Robinson, Phillippi Sparks, Terrell Suggs, Kyle Soelle, Vi Teofilo, Christian Westerman, Danny White, Wilford "Whizzer" White, Kyle Williams and Darren Woodson.

FOOTBALL AWARDS BANQUET
The Annual Sun Devil Football Awards Banquet and Auction is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 11 at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn in Paradise Valley. The event will begin with a reception and silent auction at 4 p.m. AZT with the dinner and awards show following. For more information visit sundevilclub.com.

MILESTONE WATCH

  • 16 rushing yards for X Valladay to pass Michigan Jamie Morris to move into the Top-75 in FBS career rushing history (currently at 4,376)
  • 124 rushing yards for Valladay to become only of just 64 players in FBS history to reach 4500 rushing yards in their careers.

#10THINGS (Twitter-Friendly Notes)

1. The Sun Devils have been credited with just 59 missed tackles in the last four games (12 percent missed tackle rate) - ranked 13th and 6th in the FBS over the last five weekends.

2. Jalin Conyers has 140 yards after contact in his last three games. No other tight end in the country has more than 69 in that stretch.

3. X Valladay has rushed for a touchdown in seven-straight games, the most for a Sun Devil since Cam Marshall did it in nine games in 2011.

4. ASU's defensive linemen have combined for 34 quarterback hits this season, good for 10th among defensive lines in the FBS.

5. Since 2020, ASU has been stuffed at or behind the line of scrimmage on just 6.7 percent of its rushes - good for the 11th-lowest tally in the FBS.

6. Ro Torrence has allowed just 173 yards to receivers in coverage this season - the lowest in the Pac-12 by nearly 50 yards and the 20th-lowest tally in the FBS.

7.  Trenton Bourguet's 2.33 average time to throw the ball is good for sixth in the FBS this season (min. 150 attempts).

8. B.J. Green has a pass rush productive rating ((sacks + (.5 x hits) + (.5 x hurries)/play count) of 13.0 this season, tops among all FBS defensive lineman.

9. Elijhah Badger's 23 missed tackles forced on receptions this year are tops in the Pac-12 and third among FBS receivers.

10 . Nesta Jade Silvera has 34 solo tackles against the run this season, the most for an FBS interior lineman this season.

#BYTHENUMBERS

140- 270 of Conyers' 346 receiving yards have come in the last four games - the highest tally among FBS tight ends in the last four weeks. His four touchdowns are the most among FBS tight ends in that time while his 12 first downs receiving are third. He has 140 yards after contact in that stretch. No other FBS tight end has more than 69. He has a 132.1 NFL QBR rating when targeted this year, the 10th-best tally among FBS tight ends. He has forced 17 missed tackles on the year - the most of any FBS tight end.

43- Since 2018, ASU has rushed for 100+ yards in 43 of 54 games (79.6 percent). Since 2020, ASU has been stuffed at or behind the line of scrimmage on just 6.7 percent of its rushes - good for the 11th-lowest tally in the FBS. The team has averaged 3.3 yards after contact per rush in that time - 17th in the FBS. Since 2020, ASU has picked up a first down or touchdown on 30.9 percent of its rushes - 21st-most in the FBS. The team is averaging 5.8 yards per rush in that time, tied for 9th in the FBS. Since the start of last year, ASU has 135 explosive runs (10+ yards) - 34th-most in the FBS. ASU's 69 rushing touchdowns since the beginning of 2020 are 35th among all FBS teams.

43- X Valladay's 43 total plays of 10+ yards are tied for 14th in the FBS. His 13 20+ yard rushing plays this season are tied for seventh in the FBS and his 16 overall plays over 20 yards are 17th in the country and sixth among running backs.Valladay has rushed for a touchdown in seven straight games - the longest streak for a Sun Devil since Cam Marshall had nine in a row in 2011. His 16 total touchdowns this season are seventh in the FBS and tops in the Pac-12.Valladay has 112 explosive runs (10+) yards since 2018 -  third-most among active FBS backs. He has rushed for over 100 yards seven times this season en route to the third 1,000-yard rushing year of this career.

34- While ASU's sack totals haven't quite been there this year, the team's defensive linemen (interior and edge defenders only) have combined for 34 QB hits on the season, tied for the 10th-most of any defensive line in the FBS. The group also has 116 total hurries, 16th among all FBS defensive lines. The group has 165 total quarterback pressures credited this season - 17th among all FBS defensive lines. Last season, ASU's defensive line finished ninth in the FBS with 31 quarterback hits. The team was fourth in the Pac-12 in 2020 with 14 quarterback hits, despite only playing four games. The team forced 46 total QB pressures that season, easily the highest per-game ratio in the league.

18- Ro Torrence has allowed just 18 receptions in coverage this season, the third-lowest tally among Pac-12 corners with at least 200 snaps played in coverage. Torrence has allowed just 173 yards to receivers in coverage this season - the lowest in the Pac-12 by nearly 50 yards and the 20th-lowest tally in the FBS. His 0.60 yards allowed per coverage snap are third in the Pac-12 and 18th in the FBS. In man coverage, Torrence has allowed just a 33.3 percent completion rate this season - the fourth-lowest in the Pac-12. His 52 yards allowed in man coverage are fourth lowest in the league (min. 50 man coverage snaps). His 52 yards allowed in man coverage are 4th-lowest in the league.

1- B.J. Green's 27.8 percent win percentage on pass rushing plays is tops in the FBS among interior linemen - four percentage points higher than any other interior lineman - and second among all defensive linemen, period. Green has generated a QB pressure on 23.5 percent of his pass-rushing stats - the best tally of any defensive lineman in the FBS and two percentage points higher than any other lineman (min. 150 pass rush snaps). That tally is 6 percentage points better than any other FBS interior lineman.  Green has a pass rush productive rating ((sacks + (.5 x hits) + (.5 x hurries)/play count) of 13.0 this season, tops among all FBS defensive lineman.

RUSH HOUR

  • Despite playing significantly fewer games than the teams ahead of it, ASU's 69 rushing touchdowns since the beginning of 2020 are 35th among all FBS teams. ASU has accomplished the feat in 28 games, where none of the teams ranked ahead of ASU have fewer than 33 games over the last three seasons.
  • ASU has received a team rushing grade of 94.5 from PFF since the 2020 season, the 17th-highest tally in the FBS
  • Since 2020, ASU has been stuffed at or behind the line of scrimmage on just 6.7 percent of its rushes - good for the 11th-lowest tally in the FBS. The team has averaged 3.3 yards after contact per rush in that time - 17th in the FBS.
  • Since 2020, ASU has picked up a first down or touchdown on 30.9 percent of its rushes - 21st-most in the FBS. The team is averaging 5.8 yards per rush in that time, tied for 9th in the FBS.
  • Since the start of last year, ASU has 135 explosive runs (10+ yards) - 34th-most in the FBS.
  • Since 2018, ASU has rushed for 100+ yards in 43 of 54 games (79.6 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, among the Top-25 among all FBS teams despite playing significantly fewer games than most schools in 2020.
  • ASU has outscored opponents 877-480 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 49.4 percent of the time following an ASU turnover since 2012 (84 of 170) with 61 touchdowns (35.9 percent).
  • ASU had its streak of posting an interception in 11 straight games ended against Washington State. The team now has interceptions 16 of the last 19 games dating back to last year.
  • The team's streak of forcing a takeaway in 18-straight games also ended against WSU. It was second-longest active streak in the FBS (Georgia State).
  • 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 14 fumbles by opponents this season - tied for 45th nationally - with only one recovery (last in the FBS) and a 7.14 recovery percentage that is 8 points lower than Lousiana-Monroe (the only other team in the FBS under 20 percent on its recovery percentage).

GETTING DEFENSIVE

  • ASU has had just three 50+ yard plays allowed by the defense this season, tied for 19th-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 54 games. The .19 50+ yard plays per game allowed are second-fewest in the FBS in that time behind only Washington (.15 per game on 8 plays over 54 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 29 occasions over 54 games (53.7 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). ASU will have to rally down in the final game, currently 49th with 19 such plays allowed -two shy of the Top-35.
  • Since 2018, ASU has allowed just 77 TOTAL 30-plus yard plays (1.4 per game/54 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 18 receptions in coverage this season, the third-lowest tally among Pac-12 corners with at least 200 snaps played in coverage.
  • Torrence has allowed just 173 yards to receivers in coverage this season - the lowest in the Pac-12 by nearly 50 yards and the 20th-lowest tally in the FBS. His 0.60 yards allowed per coverage snap are third in the Pac-12 and 18th in the FBS.
  • In man coverage, Torrence has allowed just a 33.3 percent completion rate this season - the fourth-lowest in the Pac-12. His 52 yards allowed in man coverage are fourth lowest in the league (min. 50 man coverage snaps).
  • Teammate Ryan Clark has allowed just a 42.1 completion percentage in man coverage - good for eighth in the league.
  • Torrence is credited with just one touchdown allowed in coverage this season - tied for the second-lowest tally in the Pac-12 ( min. 200 coverage snaps).
  • Jordan Clark has allowed just a 39.1 NFL QB rating when he has been targeted in man coverage this season - third lowest in the Pac-12 and 27th in the FBS.
  • ASU has 56 interceptions since 2018 - Top-30 in the FBS in that time despite playing significantly fewer games than most teams in 2020.
  • ASU had its streak of posting an interception in 11 straight games ended against Washington State. The team now has interceptions 16 of the last 19 games dating back to last year.
  • ASU finished 8th in the FBS last season with 16 interceptions and has 10 through this season.
  • The team has 52 total pass defenses on the year, a tally that sits tied for 33rd 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 82.9 since the start of 2021 - the 15th-lowest mark in the FBS.
  • The 6.71 opponent passing yards per attempt in that time are Top-30 in the FBS in that time.
  • ASU has allowed just 5.0 yards after the catch per completion since 2021 - the 18th-lowest tally in the FBS. ASU has given up just 1.77 yards after contact per reception - the third-lowest tally in the FBS.
  • ASU has allowed just 27 passing touchdowns since the start of 2021 - tied for the 13th-fewest in the FBS. The team has allowed a touchdown on just 3.5 percent of passes thrown against it in that time (27/766) - the 11th-lowest tally in the FBS.
  • The team has allowed an explosive pass percentage (15+ yards) just 13.5 percent of the time since 2020 - Top-30 in the FBS - while its 3.4 percent interception rate is Top 15 in the FBS since 2020.
  • The secondary has contested a target on 18.4 percent of passing plays since the start of 2021 (132/719) - among the Top 25-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 been solidin the second half of the season, leading ASU to two wins with 1,114 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 69.7 completion percentage is fifth in the FBS (min. 100 attempts) as is his 79.9 adjusted competion percentage (which accounts for drops).
  • Bourguet has excelled under pressure, facing 48 blitzes on his 168 dropbacks and completing 74.4 percent of his passes in that scenario, 19th in the nation among quarterbacks with at least 45 pass attempts against the blitz.
  • His sack-to-pass percentage is just 5.6 percent - the 10th lowest tally in the FBS among QBs blitzed at least 45 times.
  • He has posted a 106.3 NFL QBR on those plays, good for 38th in the FBS amongst those with 45 dropbacks facing a blitz.
  • Five of his eight touchdown passes this year have come against the blitz.
  • His ability to recognize the blitz is demonstrated in his 2.05 second average to throw a pass - second in the FBS (min. 45 attempts vs. blitz). His 2.33 average throw time in general ranks 6th in the FBS (min. 150 attempts).
  • 52.8 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 - eighth in the FBS.
  • His blitz numbers would be even better if not for the fact that 15.6 percent of his throws on blitzes have been dropped - the ninth-highest total in the FBS.

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. He has 48 career starts and his 319 career tackles are 18th among all FBS players and 16th among FBS linebackers.
  • 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 35 missed tackles in his career on 3,251 snaps,. Of the 40 FBS linebackers with 275+ career tackles, Roberton's 10 percent missed tackle percentage is tied for the fifth-lowest
  • His 763 snaps on defense this season (including plays blown dead from penalties or other reasons) are second-most among all Pac-12 linebackers and 17th among all FBS linebackers.
  • He has played 3,251 career snaps – most among active linebackers in the FBS  and fourth-most of any active defensive player in the FBS.

X GON' GIVE IT TO YA

  • X Valladay is second on the FBS active leader list for career rushing yards at 4,376 with 1,095 of those  coming this season - 19th in the FBS and second in the Pac-12
  • 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 moved into the Top-100 in FBS history against WSU, currently sitting in 79th all-time.
  • Valladay has rushed for a touchdown in seven straight games - the longest streak for a Sun Devil since Cam Marshall had nine in a row in 2011.
  • His 16 total touchdowns this season are seventh in the FBS and tops in the Pac-12.
  • Valladay has shown off his ability in the passing game in the last several contests and his 124.27 all-purpose yards per game sit 26th in the FBS and second in the league.
  • Valladay has 112 explosive runs (10+) yards since 2018 -  third-most among active FBS backs.
  • His 13 20+ yard rushing plays this season are tied for seventh in the FBS and his 16 overall plays over 20 yards are 17th in the country and sixth among running backs. His 43 total plays of 10+ yards are tied for 14th in the FBS.
  • He has forced 149 missed tackles in his career, 10th among active FBS backs.
  • This is Valladay's third 1,000-yard season in his career.
  • Valladay is up to 21 100+-yard performances in his career with 14 at Wyoming and seven at Arizona State.
  • 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 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.

SILVERA IS GOLD

  • Nesta Jade Silvera has 66 career stops on run defense - good for 9th among active FBS interior linemen.
  • He has 33 career tackles for loss or stops for no gain on run defense as well, good for second among active FBS interior linemen.
  • He has 34 solo 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 54 total tackles this year are third among FBS interior linemen and his 24 overall defensive stops this year are tied for 17th among 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 second-highest graded defensive player in the Pac-12 and 14th-highest graded  safety in the FBS on run defense this year (82.5, min. 225 run defense snaps).
  • His 21 defensive stops this season are fourth among Pac-12 safeties. 12 of those stops have come within three yards of the line of scrimmage - 34th 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 3,328 career snaps are the most of any active FBS safety and 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 375 career tackles. His 275 solo tackles are the most of any active player in the FBS - 32 more than any other player.
  • He is currently 23rd in the FBS in averaging 5.1 solo tackles per game.
  • 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.

HOLD THE LINE

  • While ASU's sack totals haven't quite been there this year, the team's defensive linemen (interior and edge defenders only) have combined for 34 QB hits on the season, tied for the 10th-most of any defensive line in the FBS. The group also has 116 total hurries, 16th among all FBS defensive lines.'
  • The group has 165 total quarterback pressures credited this season - 17th among all FBS defensive lines.
  • B.J. Green is sixth among FBS interior linemen with 11 QB hits this season.
  • His 38 total quarterback pressures are eighth among FBS interior linemen, however, he has done so on significantly fewer snaps.
  • Green's 27.8 percent win percentage on pass rushing plays is tops in the FBS among interior linemen - four percentage points higher than any other interior lineman - and second among all defensive linemen, period.
  • Green has generated a QB pressure on 23.5 percent of his pass-rushing stats - the best tally of any defensive lineman in the FBS and two percentage points higher than any other lineman (min. 150 pass rush snaps). That tally is 6 percentage points better than any other FBS interior lineman.
  • Green has a pass rush productive rating ((sacks + (.5 x hits) + (.5 x hurries)/play count) of 13.0 this season, tops among all FBS defensive lineman.

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 among the Top-10 by an FBS player in a single game this season. His 16 against Oklahoma State are among then the Top-10-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 ninth in the nation in averaging 10.5 tackles per game and tops in the Pac-12. His 104 total tackles on the year currently sit 14th in the FBS, despite missing the WSU game.
  • His 5.1 solo tackles per game this season are tied for 23rd nationally.
  • Soelle's 254 career tackles are 64th among all active players
  • 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.
  • Even missing the WSU game, Soelle has played 710 defensive snaps this season - the fourth-most of Pac-12 linebackers and 39th among all FBS linebackers
  • 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 fifth in the league among wide receivers with a receiving grade of 79.1 on the season (min. 50 targets) and Top-35 in the FBS.
  • He is Top-50 in the FBS with 774 receiving yards and 37th in the FBS with 5.6 catches per game. His 13.3 yards per catch are 20th among FBS wide receivers with at least 50 touches.
  • Badger is responsible for 37 of ASU's 124 first downs by passing this year (29.8 percent) - the 34th-most first downs among FBS receivers.
  • His 23 missed tackles forced are tops among Pac-12 receivers and third among all FBS receivers.
  • He has 22 explosive receptions (15+ yards) on the season, good for 22nd among FBS receivers and fifth in the Pac-12.
  • His 33.2 adjusted target share percentage (targets/plays with an aimed pass) this season is tops among all Pac-12 receivers (33rd 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.
  • Conyers has 186 receiving yards after the catch (out of 346 total yards) - the 22nd-highest tally of all FBS tight ends.
  • He has 149 total yards after contact this season - fourth among all FBS tight ends.
  • He has forced 17 missed tackles on the year - the most of any FBS tight end.
  • 270 of Conyers' 346 receiving yards have come in the last four games - the highest tally among FBS tight ends in the last four weeks. His four touchdowns are the most among FBS tight ends in that time while his 12 first downs receiving are third.
  • He has 140 yards after contact in that stretch. No other FBS tight end has more than 69.
  • He has a 132.1 NFL QBR rating when targeted this year, the 10th-best tally among FBS tight ends.
  • 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 15th-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.
  • WSU quarterback Cameron Ward only completed 59.5 percent of his passes against ASU, his third-lowest tally of the season while his one touchdown pass was tied for his lowest of the year. His 118.1 NFL QBR was the third-lowest of the season.

TURNING THE CORNER

  • The team has allowed just a 77.2 NFL QBR to opponents in its last six games - among the Top-25 lowest in the FBS over the last seven weeks. The team allowed a 90.1 QBR in the first five games - right in the middle of the country.
  • Only 45.2 percent of opponent targets have been open in the last six games, 18th-lowest in the FBS in the last seven 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 57 missed tackles in its last six games and an 11 percent missed tackle rate. The 57 missed tackles are 13th-fewest in the FBS in the last six weeks and the 11 percent missed tackle rate is tied for the sixth-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 four 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 13.6 seconds and only 33.1 percent of plays came under 10 seconds on the play clock. The 13.6 second average snap time was 40th-fastest in the FBS in the last three 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 beemn credited with 45 true "tempo" plays in the last four games, according to PFF. ASU had run just 10 such plays ALL SEASON prior to the Colorado 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 three 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 7.80 yards per second down in the last four games  - compared to just 5.9 yards per second down in its first seven games.