THE GAME - Sun Devil Football return home this Saturday, Sept. 10 against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. The game is slated for a 8 p.m. AZT kickoff on the Pac-12 Network (JB Long and Bob Davie on the call) and will be carried over the airwaves on ESPN 620 AM (Tim Healey, Jeff Van Raaphorst, Kevin Turner).
ON THE EAGLES/MAC- This will be the first ever meeting between the two teams. ASU is 1-1 against MAC schools all-time after beating Kent State in 2019. Eastern Michigan has recorded a non-conference road victory in every eligible campaign since the 2015 season - its longest streak in program history. The Eagles have not given up a first quarter score this season.
KICKING OFF
- ASU has held opponents to less than 30 points in 31 of 45 games under Herm Edwards, notable as it DID allow 30+ in 32 of 43 previous games dating back to a span from 2013-17.
- ASU has rushed for at least 100 yards as a team in 20 straight regular season games. It is the longest streak of rushing for over 100 yards as a team since the last 10 games of 1995, all 11 in 1996 and the first two of 1997 - a 23-game stretch over three seasons. The 20-game streak is the sixth-longest active streak in the nation.
- The Sun Devils were the only team in the FBS to not allow a 50-yard play last season, and extended the program's active streak of games without a 50-yard play allowed to an FBS-leading 17 games against Oklahoma State.
- ASU is one of just three FBS teams to rank in the Top-35 nationally in fewest plays over 30 yards allowed in EACH of the last four seasons. Coincidentally, the other two teams in the category are the Pac-12's Cal and Utah.
- Under Herm Edwards, ASU has held opponents to 400 total yards of offense or less on 26 occasions over 45 games (57.8 percent of the time). For comparison, ASU accomplished the feat just 24 times in the 65 previous games (36.9 percent) from 2013-2017.
- The Sun Devils have reached double-digit scoring in 76 consecutive HOME games, tied for the sixth-longest active streak in the FBS.
- X Valladay's 234 rushing yards are the second-most by an ASU running back in the first two games of the season since 1996 (D.J. Foster - 363 in 2014). Should he rush for 100+ yards against EMU, he would be the first Sun Devil with over 100 rushing yards in the first three games of a season since Foster in 2014.
- The Sun Devils have an interception in four straight games dating back to last season and nine of the last 10 games.
- LaDarius Henderson has not been credited with a quarterback pressure allowed through two games this season.
AN ASU VICTORY WOULD...
- End Eastern Michigan's streak of season with a non-conference road win in each season (2020 excluded) since 2015 - its longest in program history.
- Extend ASU's home winning streak to four straight games dating back to last season.
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
- 492 rushing yards for X Valladay to reach 4,000 for his career (currently at 3,508)
- 278 passing yards for Emory Jones to reach 4,000 in his career (currently at 3,722)
#10THINGS (Twitter-Friendly Notes)
1. Khoury Bethley (2,771) and Merlin Robertson (2,612) have played the second and seventh-most career snaps among all active FBS players.
2. ASU has held opponents to less than 30 points in 31 of 45 games under Herm Edwards, notable as it DID allow 30+ in 32 of 43 previous games dating back in a span from 2013-17.
3. The Sun Devils have rushed for over 100 yards in 20-straight regular season games - good for the sixth-longest active streak in the FBS and longest at ASU since a 23-game streak from 1995-97.
4. ASU has gone 17 games without allowing a 50+-yard play - the longest active streak in the FBS.
5. Since 2020, ASU has been stuffed at or behind the line of scrimmage on just 5.5 percent of its rushes - the fourth-lowest tally in the FBS.
6. B.J. Green has been credited by PFF with a "win" on 31.3 percent of his pass rush snaps this season - the second-best tally of any FBS interior linemen with at least 30 pass rush snaps.
7. ASU has held opponents to 400 yards or less in 26 of 45 games under Edwards. It accomplished that just 24 of the previous 65 games dating back to 2013.
8. Nesta Jade Silvera has 27 career tackles for loss or stops for no gain on run defense as well, good for third among active FBS interior linemen.
9. X Valladay leads all active FBS running backs with 3,515 career yards and is tops among active backs with 74 career explosive runs (10+ yards).
10 Since 2019, Emory Jones has a PFF rushing grade of 86.8 - the highest of all active FBS quarterbacks.
BY THE NUMBERS
31 - ASU has held opponents to less than 30 points in 31 of 45 games under Herm Edwards, notable as it DID allow 30+ in 32 of 43 previous games dating back to a span from 2013-17. The Sun Devils have allowed just 124 offensive touchdowns (2.8 per game/45 games) since Edwards assumed the reins in 2018 -the 20th-fewest among FBS programs. For reference, ASU gave up 109 offensive touchdowns alone between 2016-17 (4.4 per game/25 games). Since 2019, ASU has allowed an opponent scoring drive just 115 times on 383 drives, a 30.0 score % that is 29th-lowest in the FBS. ASU has allowed just 54 second-half touchdowns to opponents since '18 - 10th fewest in the FBS.
27 - According to Pro Football Focus, Merlin Robertson has been credited with just 27 missed tackles in his career on 2,612 snaps, which is the second-fewest of any FBS linebacker with over 2000 snaps played over the last four+ seasons (USF's Dwayne Boyles on 24 on 2,232 snaps – over 300 fewer than Robertson). He has played 2,612 career snaps – the second-most among active linebackers in the FBS this season (Troy's Carlton Martial at 2,774) and seventh-most of any active defensive player in the FBS. Robertson has collected 255 tackles in his career, a total that currently ranks him 22nd among active FBS players while his six career interceptions lead all active FBS linebackers.
20 - ASU has rushed for at least 100 yards as a team in 20 straight regular season games. It is 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 20-game streak is the sixth-longest active streak in the FBS. Since 2020, ASU has been stuffed at or behind the line of scrimmage on just 5.5 percent of its rushes - the fourth-lowest tally in the FBS. Since 2020, ASU has picked up a first down or touchdown on 32.3 percent of its rushes - 12th-most in the FBS and sixth in the Power Five. ASU has 100 runs of 10+ yards since the start of last year, the 20th-best tally in the FBS.
17 - ASU was the only team in the FBS to not allow a 50-yard play last year and extended their streak to 17 straight games without allowing a 50-yard play against Oklahoma State, the longest active streak in the FBS. ASU has allowed just seven plays over 50 yards to opponents since the 2018 season over 45 games. The .16 50+ yard plays per game are 2nd-fewest in the FBS in that time behind only Washington (.11 per game on 5 plays over 45 games). ASU ranked in the bottom 10 nationally in 50+ yards played allowed each year from 2014-17. ASU is one of 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).
0 - LaDarius Henderson was third-highest pass blocking guard in the Pac-12 in Week 2 (86.6) and 10th-highest graded in the FBS for the week. He is the 31st-highest graded guard in the FBS this season as a pass blocker (84.8). Henderson has not been credited with a QB pressure allowed in the first two games this season - one of just 43 guards in the nation with such a claim. He allowed just 10 quarterback pressures during the 2021 regular season - tied for fourth-fewest among Pac-12 offensive guards and among the Top-50 fewest among all guards in the FBS while also being tied for 38th among FBS guards with just one sack allowed on the year.
0 - No active player in the FBS this season has more career rushing yards than Sun Devil Football's X Valladay (3,515). His 234 rushing yards are the second-most by an ASU running back in the first two games of the season since 1996 (D.J. Foster - 363 in 2014). Valladay has 74 explosive runs (10+) yards since 2019 - tied for most among active FBS backs with USC's Travis Dye. His five 20+ yard rushing plays this season are tied for first in the FBS with Illinois' Chase Brown, who has an extra game and over twice as many carries as Valladay. He has forced 106 missed tackles in his career, seventh among active FBS backs.
RUSH HOUR
- ASU has rushed for at least 100 yards as a team in 20 straight regular season games. It is 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 20-game streak is the sixth-longest active streak in the FBS.
- Despite playing significantly fewer games than the teams ahead of it, ASU's 55 rushing touchdowns since the beginning of 2020 are 22nd among all FBS teams. ASU has accomplished the feat in 19 games, where none of the 21 teams ranked ahead of ASU have fewer than 24 games over the last three years.
- Since 2020, ASU has been stuffed at or behind the line of scrimmage on just 5.5 percent of its rushes - the fourth-lowest tally in the FBS.
- Since 2020, ASU has picked up a first down or touchdown on 32.3 percent of its rushes - 12th-most in the FBS and seventh in the Power Five.
- Since the start of last year, ASU has 100 explosive runs (10+ yards) - 20th-most in the FBS.
- ASU has gone over the 200-yard mark on the ground in 11 of its last 21 games dating back to 2019. ASU has gone over 250 yards rushing in 8 of the last 18 games. In the Herm Edwards era, ASU has rushed for 200 or more yards 16 times and 250+ yards 13 times.
- Last season, ASU finished the regular season 24th nationally with 202.3 yards per game.
A HAND IN THE COOKIE JAR
- ASU has forced 62 offensive turnovers overall since 2019, 18th among all FBS teams despite playing significantly fewer games than most schools in 2020.
- ASU has outscored opponents 857-461 in points off takeaways since 2012.
- Since 2012, ASU has scored 63.7 percent of the time following an opponent turnover (144 of 226) while finding the end zone 106 times in that span (46.9 percent).
- Conversely, opponents have scored just 49.1 percent of the time following an ASU turnover since 2012 (78 of 159) with 59 touchdowns (37.1 percent).
- ASU has three interceptions through two games - a year removed from finished eighth in the FBS with 16 interceptions.
GETTING DEFENSIVE
- ASU was the only team in the FBS to not allow a 50-yard play last year and extended its streak to 17 games without allowing a 50-yard play against NAU, the longest active streak in the FBS.
- Last season, ASU was the final team in country to not allow an opponent play over 40 yards last year, a streak that came to a close against Washington State. Still, ASU's four total 40-yard plays were the second-fewest in the nation.
- ASU has allowed just seven plays over 50 yards to opponents since the 2018 season over 45 games. The .16 50+ yard plays per game allowed are second-fewest in the FBS in that time behind only Washington (.11 per game on 5 plays over 45 games). ASU ranked in the bottom 10 nationally in 50+ yards played allowed each year from 2014-17.
- The last time ASU gave up a 50-yard play was a rush by UCLA's Britain Brown in 2020. It last gave up a 50-yard passing play in the 2019 Sun Bowl against Florida State, marking 19 straight games without a passing play over 50 yards.
- 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.
- The Devils held NAU to under 100 yards passing AND rushing in the opener. Last season, ASU had nine occurrences last season in which it held an opponent to less than 100 yards rushing AND/OR less than 100 yards passing (6 games under 100 yards rushing/3 games under 100 yards passing). The nine total sub-100 stat lines in one category or the other were the most since 1996 (also 9 - 5 games under 100 yards rushing, 4 under 100 yard passing).
- The three games holding opponents under 100 passing yards marked the first time that had happened since doing it thrice in 1996.
- In non-garbage time against FBS opponents, ASU allowed just 5.21 yards per play last season, good for 23rd in the country.
- Last season in non-garbage time against FBS opponents, teams gained 7 or more yards on a play just 18.5 percent of the time (11th-lowest in the FBS) and 10 or more yards just 8.9 percent of the time (16th in the FBS).
- Under Herm Edwards, ASU has held opponents to the 400 or less mark for total offensive yards on 26 occasions over 45 games (57.8 percent of the time). For comparison, ASU accomplished the feat just 24 times in the 65 previous games (36.9 percent) from 2013-2017.
- ASU is one of just three teams in the country to rank in the Top-35 in fewest plays over 30 yards allowed in EACH of the last four seasons (Cal, Utah)
- Since 2018, ASU has allowed just 59 TOTAL 30-plus yard plays (1.3 per game/45 games)). For perspective, from 2014-17, ASU gave up 38, 44, 40, 40 such plays, respectively ranked 116th, 124th, 117th and 119th.
- The team had the third-fewest 30+ yard plays allowed with just 13. Through two games, ASU is tied for 24th in the FBS with just two such plays allowed
KEEP 'EM OFF THE BOARD
- Last season, ASU was 22nd in the FBS and tops in the Pac-12 in allowing just 20.8 points per game. It held NAU to just three in the opener.
- 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.
- Since 2019, ASU has allowed an opponent scoring drive just 115 times on 383 drives, a 30.0 score percentage that is the 29th-lowest in the FBS.
- Since 2019, ASU has held opponents to a 23.7 scoring drive percentage in the second half of games (44 of 186) - the 7th-lowest in the FBS.
- The Sun Devils have allowed just 124 offensive touchdowns (2.8 per game/45 games) since Herm Edwards assumed the reins in 2018 - the 20th-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 54 second-half touchdowns to opponents since 2018 - 10th-fewest in the FBS.
- ASU has held opponents to less than 30 points in 31 of 45 games under Herm Edwards, 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.
NO FLY ZONE
- ASU has recorded multiple interceptions 13 times in the Herm Edwards era over 45 games (28.9 percent of games). ASU has 49 interceptions since 2018 - 22nd in the FBS in that time despite playing significantly fewer games than most teams in 2020.
- The Devils have an interception in four straight games dating back to last season and nine of the last 10 games.
- ASU finished 8th in the FBS last season with 16 interceptions and has three through two games this season.
- Since the start of last season, ASU has allowed just 1,203 yards after the catch - the ninth-lowest tally in the FBS.
- The Sun Devils have emphasized "cat" coverage under Herm Edwards - man coverage where its players are simply asked to guard their "cat". Since the start of 2021, ASU has allowed an open target just 43.5 percent of the time - the fifth-lowest tally among the Power Five in that time.
- Opponents have an NFL quarterback rating of just 77.2 since the start of 2021 - sixth-best in the Power Five.
- ASU has allowed just 15 passing touchdowns since the start of 2021 - tied for ninth fewest in the Power Five.
- 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 Herm Edwards' arrival in 2018, the Sun Devil secondary has allowed just 19 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
- LaDarius Henderson was third-highest pass blocking guard in the Pac-12 in Week 2 (86.6) and 10th-highest graded in the FBS for the week. He is the 31st-highest graded guard in the FBS this season as a pass blocker (84.8)
- Henderson has not been credited with a QB pressure allowed in the first two games this season - one of just 43 guards in the nation with such a claim. He allowed just 10 quarterback pressures last regular season- tied for fourth-fewest among Pac-12 offensive guards and among the Top-50 fewest among all guards in the FBS and while being tied for 38th among FBS guards with just one sack allowed on the year.
- Henderson played all but 12 snaps on offense for the entire season (of ASU's 808 snaps).
- 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 on the 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
- The duo played a pivotal role in ASU averaging 202.3 rushing yards per game during the regular season, which was good for 24th in the FBS and the most for a full season at ASU since 2012 (205.4) – and just the eighth time ASU has rushed for over 200 yards per game since joining the Pac-12 in 1978
FILLING THE GAP
- The Sun Devil football defensive interior players have stood out through two games thus far, with the group combining for 11 stops on run defense - good for 11th-most among defensive interiors in the FBS through the first two weekends.
- Omarr Norman-Lott was the highest-graded player on run defense against Oklahoma State (86.2) and the fourth-highest graded interior lineman in the FBS for the week.
- His four defensive stops on run defense this season are tied for 25th among defensive interior players in the FBS.
- Tautala Pesefea Jr. (80.1) and Nesta Jade Silvera (76.7) were also the second and third-highest graded defensive interior players in the Pac-12 for the week on run defense.
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 (65.9).
- According to Pro Football Focus, Robertson has been credited with just 27 missed tackles in his career on 2,612 snaps, which is the second-fewest of any FBS linebacker with over 2000 snaps played over the last four+ seasons (USF's Dwayne Boyles on 24 on 2,232 snaps – over 300 fewer than Robertson).
- Robertson has 40 starts in his career and his 255 tackles are 22nd among active FBS players while his six interceptions lead all active FBS linebackers
- He has played 2,612 career snaps – the second-most among active linebackers in the FBS this season (Troy's Carlton Martial at 2,774) and seventh-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 3,515 with 234 of those coming in the first two games this season.
- The 234 rushing yards are the second-most by an ASU running back in the first two games of the season since 1996 (D.J. Foster - 363 in 2014). Should he rush for 100+ yards against EMU, he would be the first Sun Devil with over 100 rushing yards in the first three games of a season since Foster in 2014.
- 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
- He also finished his Cowboys' career with 51 catches for 584 yards and two touchdowns.
- Valladay has 74 explosive runs (10+) yards since 2019 - tied for most among active FBS backs with USC's Travis Dye.
- His five 20+ yard rushing plays this season are tied for first in the FBS with Illinois' Chase Brown, who has an extra game and over twice as many carries as Valladay.
- He has forced 106 missed tackles in his career, seventh 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
- He earned Second Team All-MWC after rushing for 1,070 yards in 2021
- Valladay put together 14 100-yard performances with the Cowboys and now has 15 in his career, including a 204-yard game in the Arizona Bowl victory over Georgia State in 2019
SILVERA IS GOLD
- Nesta Jade Silvera has 49 career stops on run defense - good for 13th among active FBS interior linemen.
- He has 27 career tackles for loss or stops for no gain on run defense as well, good for third among active FBS interior linemen.
- A consistent presence over his four years at Miami, Silvera has now played in 42 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 on 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).
GO D.J., THAT'S MY D.J.
- D.J. Taylor was named 2022 Athlon Sports Preseason All-America Selection as a kick returner.
- During the 2021 campaign, he appeared in 12 games, collecting 716 all-purpose yards - good for 10th in the FBS last season
- He yielded 525 kick return yards on 24 attempts last season, including an electrifying 60-yard return against Washington State
- Taylor added 191 punt return yards on 14 attempts, averaging 13.6 yards per return
- He was incredible in the season opener against Southern Utah, returning three punts a total of 87 yards, highlighted by a 47-yard return. He also eclipsed 40 punt return yards in victories over UNLV and Colorado
- Despite playing just three games in 2020 and just 16 games total, Taylor has the 9th-most return yards of any active FBS player since 2020 (1097) with the seven players ahead of him having up to ten more games to their credit.
- His 25.0 yards per kickoff return in his career are 10th-most among active FBS players in the past two+ seasons since 2020.
NEVERENDING KHOURY
- Khoury 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 2,771 career snaps are the most of any active FBS safety and the seventh-most of all FBS safeties over the previous four seasons. It is the second-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 301 career tackles. His 224 solo tackles are the most of any active player in the FBS - 18 more than Troy's Carlton Martial (206).
- We was credited with 38 defensive stops in 2021, third-most among all FBS safeties. His 85.3 grade from PFF as a pass rusher was ninth among FBS safeties.
KEEPING UP WITH THE JONES'
- Emory Jones has 1,401 rushing yards in his career, excluding sacks - good for 15th among active FBS quarterbacks.
- Since 2019, Jones has a PFF rushing grade of 86.8 - the highest of all active FBS quarterbacks in that time.
- 35.6 percent of his career rushes have resulted in a first down or touchdown - 16th among active FBS quarterbacks.
- He has been stuffed at or behind the line of scrimmage on just 5.8 percent of his career rushes - the eighth-lowest total among active QBs.
- In 2021, Jones made his first-career start at quarterback for Florida against FAU (Sept. 4) and appeared in all 13 games, starting 12.
- He was named SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week following his performance vs. Tennessee and was named to the Davey O'Brien Great 8 Watch List following his performance against Vanderbilt.
- His accumulation of 550 total yards against Samford was the best single game performance by a Gator in program history.
- He threw for 2,734 yards with 19 touchdowns as a starting quarterback in the SEC and rushed for 758 yards with 4 touchdowns as well.
- Averaged 5.4 yards per rush and 1,272 total rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in his career with the Gators.
CASE IN POINT
- Named a team captain and playing in 10 games in 2021 and enters 2022 season with 27 games of experience, Case Hatch makes the plays that don't always show up in the stat sheet.
- Hatch is currently third among Pac-12 tight ends with a run-blocking grade of 74.4.
- He has sprung his runner for extra yards on seven plays this season, three more than any other Pac-12 tight end
- He played 155 of his 190 snaps last season as a run blocker, recording a run-blocking score of 77.1 on the year - the highest grade of any tight end in the Pac-12 and the 19th-highest grade among all FBS tight ends with at least 150 run blocking snaps
- He received a positive run blocking grade on 16.8 percent of his snaps - the ninth-best tally among all FBS tight ends
- He played 136 snaps on special teams, serving on all return and coverage units
GREEN LIGHT GO
- B.J. Green has been credited with five QB pressures on the season, tied for 34th among FBS interior linemen this season. He has been credited with a "win" on 31.3 percent of his snaps this season, the second-best tally among FBS interior linemen with at least 30 pass rush snaps
- He has forced a pressure on 15.6 of his pass rush snaps - 12th-best among FBS interior linemen. Additionally, he has been credited with five plays where he beat his defender but was denied a QB pressure by other factors - tied for fourth-most in the FBS.
- His 81.3 grade as a pass rusher is eighth among FBS interior linemen this season.
- 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, tied for the fourth-most by a single player through the first two+ weeks of the season.
- He also picked up his fourth interception of his career and second of the season in the game. His four career interceptions are among the Top-20 among active FBS linebackers.
- Soelle is tied for first among Pac-12 linebackers in being credited with 10 defensive stops this season - good for a tie for 18th among all FBS linebackers.
- Soelle is currently the highest-graded linebacker in the Pac-12 early in the season with his 85.8 grade ranking fifth among ALL Pac-12 defenders with at least 50 snaps played.