Sun Devils Continue Homestretch Against Bulldogs

THE GAME -  Sun Devil Football continues its stretch of four home games to open the season this weekend as it welcomes Fresno State on Saturday, Sept. 16 at Mountain America Stadium, Home of the ASU Sun Devils in Tempe. Scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. AZT kickoff, the contest will be broadcast nationally on the FS1 (Alex Faust and Petros Papadakis) and available over the airwaves locally on Arizona Sports 620 AM (Tim Healey, Jeff Van Raaphorst, Kevin Turner, Jeff Munn).

ON THE BULLDOGS -  This will mark just the five overall contest between the two programs and only the second in the modern era of football with the first three taking place betweem 1931-41 with the 1941 tilt the last regular season game with the teams.  ASU leads the series 3-1 but dropped the most recent tilt at the 2018 Las Vegas Bowl, 31-20. Fresno State enters the weekend with the second-longest active winning streak in the FBS at 11 games (Georgia, 19) dating back to last season. Sun Devil Football offensive line coach Saga Tuitele held the same role for the Bulldogs last season.

The Sun Devils are 106-37-2 all-time against schools currently in the Mountain West ConferenceASU is 86-24-1 in September games in Tempe since joining the Pac-12 in 1978.

KICKING OFF

• ASU has held opponents to less than 30 points in 35 of 57 games since 2018 (61.4 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 31 occasions over 57 games (54.4 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 46 of 57 games (80.7 percent).
• Coach Dillingham had his work cut out for him after taking the job eight months ago, essentially rebuilding the whole roster with 78 total newcomers this season - the second-most of any FBS school behind only Colorado (88). The team's 40 total transfers from all levels are also the second most in the FBS while the squad's 52 scholarship newcomers are third.
• ASU's 29 returning scholarship players are the second-fewest behind Colorado (9) and the team's 134 total starts returning are the fourth lowest in the FBS.
• The Sun Devils have forced 40 missed tackles on offense this season, the seventh best tally in the FBS.
• B.J. Green III has forced a QB pressure on 24.4 percent of his pass rushing plays this season (10 of 41), 11th among all defensive linemen/edge defenders who have played at least 30 snap on a pass rush.
• Cam Skattebo has forced 119 career missed tackles on rushing plays, 8th among active FBS/FCS halfbacks while his 0.42 missed tackles forced per rushing attempt are second. He has forced 15 this season on rushing plays, seventh among FBS running backs. His 18 overall missed tackles forced on offense are fourth among all FBS players.

AN ASU VICTORY WOULD...

• Help the Sun Devils avoid a losing regular non-conference record for two straight seasons for the first time since 1998 and 1999.
• Improve ASU to 87-24-1 in September games in Tempe since 1978.
• Move Arizona State to 107-37-2 all-time against teams currently in the Mountain West conference.
• End Fresno State's active winning streak of 11-straight games dating back to last season, the second-longest active streak in the FBS (Georgia, 19).

MILESTONE WATCH

• 1 or 4 receptions for Jalin Conyers to move into a tie for 11th/10th in ASU tight end history in career catches (Needs 51 or 54, currently at 50).
• 448 receiving yards for Conyers to become just the seventh tight end in program history to reach the 1,000 career receiving yard tally (currently at 552).
• 7 receiving yards for Xavier Guillory to reach 1,500 for his career (currently at 1,493)
• MAKING THE GRADE - PFF WEEK 2 STANDOUTS
• 79.4 - Cam Skattebo - Overall Offense - 1st among Pac-12 halfbacks, 7th among all Pac-12 offensive players, 14th among all FBS halfbacks
• 77.7 - Jordan Clark - Overall Defense - 4th among Pac-12 corners, 15th among all Pac-12 defensive players, 29th among all FBS corners
• 74.9 - Dashaun Mallory - Run Defense - 2nd among Pac-12 interior linemen, 10th among all Pac-12 defensive players, 26th among all FBS interior linemen
• 71.2 - Elijhah Badger - Receiving - 4th among Pac-12 receivers, 9th among all Pac-12 players

#10THINGS (Twitter-Friendly Notes)

1. The Sun Devils feature 78 new players on the roster in 2023, the second-most of any FBS institution behind only Colorado (88)

2. The Sun Devil defense has allowed just 16 total plays over ten yards this season, 10th in the FBS.

3. ASU is seventh among all FBS programs in forcing opponents to miss 40 total tackles on offense this season.

4. The Sun Devils have produced a 1,000-yard rusher nine times in the last 12 seasons (one of the exceptions being shortened 2020 season) after producing just eight from 1976-2010.

5. Cam Skattebo leads ALL active FBS AND FCS halfbacks in recording a first down on 39.8 percent of his career rushes.

6. Cam Skattebo has been stuffed for loss or no gain on just 8.5 percent of his career rushes, the second-lowest tally among all FBS and FCS running backs.

7.  SInce 2021, ASU has given up just 1.82 yards after contact per reception to opponents, the fourth-lowest tally in the FBS.

8. B.J. Green III has ten quarterbacks pressures this season, tied for 15th among all FBS defensive linemen.

9. Elijhah Badger sits 15th among all receivers with five missed tackles forced on offense this season while adding six more on kick returns, good for ninth among FBS kick returners.

10 .The Sun Devils have recorded 22 pick-sixes since the 2012 season - seventh among FBS schools and have recorded at least one pick-six in each season sinc 2000 with the exception of 2020 - a 22 "full season" streak that is longest in th FBS.

BY THE NUMBERS
78 - Kenny Dillingham has put together a roster with 78 total newcomers this season - the second-most of any FBS school behind only Colorado (88). The team's 40 total transfers from all levels are  the second most in the FBS while the squad's 52 scholarship newcomers are third. ASU's 29 returning scholarship players are the second-fewest behind Colorado (9) and the team's 134 total starts returning were the fourth-lowest in the FBS.Jaden Rashada became just the second true freshman quarterback in program history to start the season opener, and was the only true freshman quarterback to start in a team's FBS opener.

46 - Since 2018, ASU has rushed for 100+ yards in 46 of 57 games (80.7 percent). ASU has forced 23 missed tackles on rushing plays this season, 21st in the FBS. 76.3 percent of the team's rushing yards have come after first contact, 17th in the FBS for the week. Since 2020, ASU has been stuffed at or behind the line of scrimmage on just 18.4 percent of its rushes - good for the 36th-lowest tally in the FBS. The team has averaged 3.3 yards after contact per rush in that time - 24th in the FBS. Since 2020, ASU has picked up a first down or touchdown on 31.0 percent of its rushes - 19th-most in the FBS. The team is averaging 5.7 yards per rush in that time, tied for 18th in the FBS.

40 - Cam Skattebo has rushed for a first down or touchdown on 39.8 percent of his career carries, tops among all active FBS/FCS backs while he has been stuffed for no gain or a loss on just 8.5 percent of his career carries, the second-lowest tally among all active backs. Skattebo is 18th among all active FBS AND FCS running backs with 1,964 career rushing yards while his 7.3 yards per carry is second among that group. He has forced 113 career missed tackles, 13th among active FBS/FCS halfbacks while his 0.42 missed tackles forced per rushing attempt is second.

40 - ASU has forced 40 missed tackles on offense this season, seventh-best among all FBS programs.. Cam Skattebo leads the way with 18 - good for third four among all FBS players this season. Elijhah Badger has forced five - 15th among all FBS receivers for this season. As if that weren't enough, Badger has added six more on kick returns and that total is good for ninth among FBS kick returners this season. Jalin Conyers has also picked up where he left off with thrree missed tackles forced this season, which puts him tied for fourth among FBS tight ends for the year. Conyers led FBS tight ends in missed tackles forced last year while Badger was

30 - ASU  has allowed just 30 passing touchdowns since the start of 2021 - tied for the 8th-fewest in the FBS. The team has allowed a touchdown on just 3.6 percent of passes thrown against it in that time (30/839) - the 10th-lowest tally in the FBS. The secondary has contested a target on 17.6 percent of passing plays since the start of 2021 - good for 28th in the FBS in that time.Opponents have an NFL quarterback rating of just 79.1 since the start of 2021 - the 24th-lowest mark in the FBS. ASU has given up just 1.82 yards after contact per reception - the fourth-lowest tally in the FBS. Its 5.1 yards allowed after the catch per reception in that time is 25th-lowest.

10 - B.J. Green II  has ten quarterback pressures this season, tied for 14th among all FBS defensive linemen and edge defenders. Green has forced a QB pressure on 24.4 percent of his pass rushing plays this season (10 of 41), 11th among all defensive linemen/edge defenders who have played at least 30 snap on a pass rush.. Green generated a QB pressure on 22.4 percent of his pass-rushing snaps last season - the-third best tally of any defensive lineman in the FBS and two percentage points higher than any other lineman

RUSH HOUR

• ASU has forced 23 missed tackles on rushing plays this season, 21st in the FBS. 76.3 percent of the team's rushing yards have come after first contact, 17th in the FBS for the week.
• Despite playing significantly fewer games than the teams ahead of it, ASU's 72 rushing touchdowns since the beginning of 2020 are 41st among all FBS teams. ASU has accomplished the feat in 31 games, where none of the teams ranked ahead of ASU have fewer than 36 games over the last three-plus seasons.
• ASU has received a team rushing grade of 94.8 from PFF since the 2020 season, the 21st-highest tally in the FBS
• Since 2020, ASU has been stuffed at or behind the line of scrimmage on just 18.4 percent of its rushes - good for the 36th-lowest tally in the FBS. The team has averaged 3.3 yards after contact per rush in that time - 24th in the FBS.
• Since 2020, ASU has picked up a first down or touchdown on 31.0 percent of its rushes - 19th-most in the FBS. The team is averaging 5.7 yards per rush in that time, tied for 18th in the FBS.
• Since 2018, ASU has rushed for 100+ yards in 46 of 57 games (80.7 percent).
• The Sun Devils have produced a 1,000-yard rusher nine times in the last 12 seasons  - with one of the lone exceptions being the shortened 2020 season. For comparison, from 1976-2010, ASU had a 1000-yard rusher just eight times.

A HAND IN THE COOKIE JAR

• ASU has forced 72 offensive turnovers overall since 2019, good for Top-40 among all FBS teams despite playing significantly fewer games than most schools in 2020.
• The Sun Devils have 22 pick sixes since the 2012 season, a tally good for seventh in the FBS.
• Taking out ASU's COVID-19 shortened 2020 season, the Sun Devils have at least one pick six in 22 consecutive seasons dating back to 2020 - the longest streak in the FBS.
• ASU has outscored opponents 884-487 in points off takeaways since 2012.
• Since 2012, ASU has scored 63.8 percent of the time following an opponent turnover (150 of 235) while finding the end zone 110 times in that span (46.8 percent).
• Conversely, opponents have scored just 48.3 percent of the time following an ASU turnover since 2012 (85 of 176) with 62 touchdowns (35.2 percent).
• ASU has interceptions 17 of the last 22 games dating back to the 2021 season.
• Oddly enough, the bounces last year did not go the Sun Devils' way on fumbles last year. 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 saw 14 fumbles by opponents last season with only one recovery (last in the FBS) and a 7.14 recovery percentage that was 8 points lower than Lousiana-Monroe (the only other team in the FBS under 20 percent on its recovery percentage).
• That absurd trend continued in the opener with Southern Utah putting three balls on the ground and none of the three were recovered by ASU.

KEEP THEM IN FRONT OF YOU

• ASU has allowed just 13 plays over 50 yards to opponents since the 2018 season over 57 games. The .23 50+ yard plays per game allowed are second-fewest in the FBS in that time behind only Washington (.16 per game on 9 plays over 58 games). ASU ranked in the bottom 10 nationally in 50+ yards played allowed each year from 2014-17.
• ASU has allowed just 16 plays over 10 yards this season, 10th in the FBS. The defense has allowed just two passing plays over 20 yards, tied for ninth nationally
• ASU was the only team in the FBS to not allow a 50-yard play in 2021 and had a streak of 18 games without allowing a 50-yard play snapped against Utah last year. It was the longest active streak in the FBS at the time 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 last year that was 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, and ended a streak of 20 straight games without a passing play over 50 yards.
• Since 2018, ASU has held opponents to the 400 or less mark for total offensive yards on 31 occasions over 57 games (54.4 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 allowed just 84 TOTAL 30-plus yard plays (1.5 per game/57 games)). For perspective, from 2014-17, ASU gave up 38, 44, 40, 40 such plays, respectively ranked 116th, 124th, 117th and 119th.
• In 2021, the team had the third-fewest 30+ yard plays in the FBS allowed with just 13.

RO RO RO YOUR BOAT

• Ro Torrence has not been credited with allowing an open target this season, one of just eight Pac-12 corners with at least 40 coverage snaps with such a claim. Opponents have just a 51.0 successful play percentage against Torrence, the 10th-lowest tally in the league.
• Team's have just a 20.0 first down or touch down rate when targeting Torrence, the third lowest-tally in the league.
• Torrence  allowed just 20 receptions in coverage last season, the lowest tally among Pac-12 corners with at least 300 snaps played in coverage in the regular season and the 14th-lowest tally among all FBS corners.
• Torrence allowed just 225 yards to receivers in coverage this season - the lowest in the Pac-12 regular season and the 16th-lowest tally in the FBS. His 0.72 yards allowed per coverage snap was fourth in the Pac-12 and 31st in the FBS.
• He allowed just four plays over 15 yards against him - tied for 6th-lowest in the FBS regular season.
• In Cover-0 or Cover-1, Torrence allowed just five catches on 101 coverage snaps - the lowest tally among FBS corners in the regular season. Opponents manged just a 31.3 percent completion rate aginst him in those man coverages - the sixth-lowest in the FBS. His 50 yards allowed in Cover-0 or Cover-1 coverage were the fourth-lowest in the FBS and his forced incompletion rate of 31.3 percent was 11th among FBS corners (min. 100 Cover-0/Cover-1 snaps).

(NO) AIR JORDAN

• Jordan Clark has allowed just a 45.6 percent successful play percentage in coverage, fifth among Pac-12 corners (min. 40 coverage snaps).
• Clark allowed just a 40.0 completion percentage in Cover 0 or Cover 1  last season - good for 23rd in the FBS.
• Jordan Clark allowed just a 41.9 NFL QB rating when targeted in man coverage last season - the 13th-best tally among FBS corners with at least 100 snaps.

NO FLY ZONE

• ASU has 57 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 last season against Washington State. The team now has interceptions 17 of the last 21 games dating back to 2021
• Opponents have an NFL quarterback rating of just 79.1 since the start of 2021 - the 24th-lowest mark in the FBS.
• The 6.76 opponent passing yards per attempt in that time are 37th in the FBS in that time.
• ASU has allowed just 5.1 yards after the catch per completion since 2021 - the 25th-lowest tally in the FBS. ASU has given up just 1.82 yards after contact per reception - the fourth-lowest tally in the FBS.
• ASU has allowed just 30 passing touchdowns since the start of 2021 - tied for the 8th-fewest in the FBS. The team has allowed a touchdown on just 3.6 percent of passes thrown against it in that time (30/839) - the 10th-lowest tally in the FBS.
• The secondary has contested a target on 17.6 percent of passing plays since the start of 2021 - good for 28th in the FBS in that time.
• Since 2018, the Sun Devil secondary has allowed just 25 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. ASU has allowed just two passing plays over 20 yards this season, tied for ninth lowest in the FBS.

GREEN LIGHT, GO

• B.J. Green III has forced a QB pressure on 24.4 percent of his pass rushing plays this season (10 of 41), 11th among all defensive linemen/edge defenders who have played at least 30 snap on a pass rush.
• Green has ten quarterback pressures this season, tied for 14th among all FBS defensive linemen and edge defenders.
• Green was fourth among FBS interior linemen with 11 QB hits last season.
• His 37 total quarterback pressures were 10th among FBS interior linemen, however, he did so on significantly fewer snaps.
• Green's 20.0 win percentage on pass rushing plays was second in the FBS among interior linemen and 15th among all defensive linemen, period.
• Green generated a QB pressure on 22.4 percent of his pass-rushing snaps - the-third best tally of any defensive lineman in the FBS and two percentage points higher than any other lineman (min. 150 pass rush snaps and four percentage points better than any other FBS interior lineman.
• Green had a pass rush productive rating ((sacks + (.5 x hits) + (.5 x hurries)/play count) of 12.4 last season, tops among all FBS interior lineman and eighth among all defensive linemen.

BADGER DON'T CARE

• Elijhah Badger has forced five missed tackles on offense this season, tied for 15th among all FBS receivers. He has added six more on kick returns, which is tied for ninth among all returners in the country.
• Badger was limited in the opener, having to sit out the first half of the game but made his mark in the second half - highlighted by an 81-yard kick return. Despite only playing in one half and only having three catches, Badger's four missed tackles forced with tied for third among all FBS receivers for Week One. He added six on his kickoff returns, which was good for fifth in the country and giving him 10 total for one half of action.
• Badger emerged as one of the top receiving threats in the Pac-12 in 2022, finishing seventh in the league among wide receivers with a receiving grade of 77.3 on the season (min. 50 targets) and Top-35 in the FBS.
• He finished with 864 receiving yards (top-50 in the FBS regular season among receivers) and 5.8 receptions per game (32nd in the FBS).
• Badger was responsible for 41 of ASU's 145 first downs by passing last year (28.3 percent) - the 33rd-most first downs among FBS receivers over the regular season.
• His 25 missed tackles forced were tops among Pac-12 receivers and second among all FBS receivers during the regular season.
• He had 24 explosive receptions (15+ yards) on the season, good for 23rd among FBS receivers in the regular season and third in the Pac-12.
• His 32.0 adjusted target share percentage (targets/plays with an aimed pass) last season was second among all Pac-12 receivers.
• Badger finished with 70 receptions, the 9th most in single-season program history. It was the fifth-most in a 12-game season.

PROS AND CON-YERS

• Jalin Conyers has immediately picked up where he left off, posting 85 yards after the catch this season (includes yards on passes caught behind the line of scrimmage), which is good for fifth among all FBS tight ends. Last season, Conyers had 229 receiving yards after the catch - the 21st-highest tally of all FBS tight ends. More impressively, 228 of those came in the final six games of ASU's season - fourth-most of all FBS tight ends from Week 7 onwards.
• He finished with 170 total yards after contact last season - fifth among all FBS tight ends despite only being significantly involved in the offense in the latter half of the year.
• Another trend Conyers has resumed is forcing missed tackles, and his three this season are tied for fourth among FBS tight ends. He forced 21 missed tackles on the year - the most of any FBS tight end. 18 of those  came in ASU's final six games. No other FBS tight end had more than 14 from Week 7 through the conclusion of the bowl season.
• 346 of Conyers' 422 receiving yards came in the final five games - the highest tally among FBS tight ends in the final five weeks of the regular season. His five touchdowns were the most among FBS tight ends in that time while his 126 first downs receiving were second.
• He had 161 yards after contact in that stretch. Only one other FBS tight had more than 100 over the final five weeks (119).
• He had a 122.0 NFL QBR rating when targeted last year, the 23rd-best tally among FBS tight ends while his 80.4 completion percentage when targeted was sixth in the FBS.
• Conyers was the only tight end in the FBS last season to record three touchdown receptions in a game. The three touchdown receptions against Colorado were the most by a tight end in ASU single game history.
• Conyers and fellow tight end Messiah Swinson were the first tight end duo to each have 150+ receiving yards in a season at ASU since 2006.

SKATT BACK

• Among the flurry of new Sun Devil players this year, one exceptional offensive threat will be the addition of running back Cam Skattebo.
• Skattebo is 18th among all active FBS AND FCS running backs with 2,026 career rushing yards while his 7.1 yards per carry is second among that group.
• He has forced 119 career missed tackles on rushing plays, 8th among active FBS/FCS halfbacks while his 0.42 missed tackles forced per rushing attempt is second. He has forced 15 this season on rushing plays, seventh among FBS running backs. His 18 overall missed tackles forced on offense are fourth among all FBS players.
• Skattebo has rushed for a first down or touchdown on 39.8 percent of his career carries, tops among all active FBS/FCS backs while he has been stuffed for no gain or a loss on just 8.5 percent of his career carries, the second-lowest tally among all active backs.
• Skattebo was named the Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year in 2022 after rushing for 1,382 yards and seven touchdowns to help the Hornets go 11-0 in the regular season and becoming the No. 2-ranked FCS team in the nation…Added 31 catches for 371 yards and three touchdowns.
• His 1,382 yards last year were seventh in the FCS and he was the fifth-highest graded running back in the FCS this season (93.0)…Recorded a first down or touchdown on 40.3 percent of his touches – the highest tally in the FCS…Was stuffed at or behind the line of scrimmage just 5.1 percent of the time – the 16th-lowest tally in the FCS.
• He was also named a Third Team All-Big Sky selection at running back in 2021, amassing 520 yards on 57 carries with six touchdowns for an outstanding 9.12 yards per carry.

GETTING DEFENSIVE

• The Sun Devils will look to Brian Ward to lead the defense this season, with the defensive coordinator from Washington State looking to right the ship that struggled at times at ASU last season after a stringing together several impressive years prior.
• Early returns have been solid with ASU sitting 25th nationally and third in the league in allowing just 265.0 yards of total defense per game this season.
• ASU has held opponents to just 13.0 first diowns per game, good for tenth in the FBS.
• The Sun Devil defense thus far has been succesful in harrying opposing quarterbacks, giving team's just an average of 2.24 seconds to throw the ball. 27.8 percent of ASU's team pressures this season have come in less than 2.5 seconds, among the Top-40 best percentages in the FBS.
• Ward led one of the elite defenses in the Pac-12 this past season, as the Cougars were third in the league and 33rd in the FBS in allowing just 22.4 points per game - tied for the sixth-best total in program history and lowest since a 19.7 mark in 2003.  That tally seems improbable for a program that hadn't finished in the Top 40 in the category for nearly two decades and 90th or worse in six seasons since 2009.
• Washington State's three defensive touchdowns were 10th in the FBS and the .775 red zone conversion defense was 23rd in the country. The team was also 35th in the nation in allowing just 127.4 rushing yards per game. The defense finished in the top-three in the league in third down conversion percentage allowed (.371), first downs allowed (239), tackles for loss per game (6.2), and turnovers gained (21).
• Sharp College Football's advanced metrics tabbed Ward's defensive 24th in the FBS in forcing negative drives and 15th in opponent drive efficiency.
• Sure tackling was a staple of Ward's defense with the Cougars finishing 13th in the FBS with just 118 tackles on the year.

TAKING OFFENSE

• The 2023 brings plenty of offensive pedigree between head coach Kenny Dillingham and Offensive Coordinator Beau Baldwin as ASU looks to improve up its No. 66 ranking in total offense last season.
• ASU has forced 40 missed tackles on offense this season, seventh-best among all FBS programs.
• Under Dillingham's guidance in 2022, Oregon saw its points per game jump from 31.4 to 38.8 and offensive yards per game from 423.6 to 500.5.
• The 2022 Oregon offense excelled in every advanced metric last regular season, ranking 10th in the FBS in Expected Points Added per game (12.79), second in EPA per play (.314), first in EPA per rush (.306) and eighth in EPA per pass (.322). The team is tops in the nation in stringing together long scoring drives, averaging 4.14 points per drive when starting inside their own 20-yard line.
• The team allowed the fewest sacks in the FBS during the regular season (4.0) while ranking in the Top-10 in the FBS in first downs per game (26.8), red zone touchdowns (46), plays over 10 yards (217) and total yards per play (6.94) while posting Top-25 tallies in rushing yards per game (216.3) and passing yards per game (291.4).
• Since assuming the title of offensive coordinator for the first time in 2018 at Memphis, Dillingham's offenses have produced at the highest level across four conferences, with his offense finishing fourth in the FBS in yards per game in 2018 (523.1) and finishing the current regular season with Oregon fourth in the FBS at 507.8 yards per game. His team's scoring offenses have been highlighted with tallies of 42.9 points per game at Memphis in 2018 (7th in FBS), 33.3 points per game in the SEC at Auburn in 2019 (28th in FBS) and 39.7 yards per game after the regular season this year at Oregon (8th in the FBS).
• Baldwin spent the past three seasons as the head coach at Cal Poly. His teams were among the least penalized in the FCS, ranking in the Top-20 in fewest penalties and fewest penalty yards per game this past season.
• His passing offense ranked fifth in the FCS in 2022, averaging 313.4 yards per game and showing the gradual improvement over an offense that averaged just 218.8 passing yards per game in 2021 and 183.7 yards per game in the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season. Prior to Baldwin's arrival, the Cal Poly passing offense ranked 117th in the FCS in 2019 with just 121.8 passing yards per game and 121st in 2018 at a paltry 90.8 passing yards per game.

MOUNTAIN AMERICA STADIUM, HOME OF THE ASU SUN DEVILS

• Arizona State University and Sun Devil Athletics have announced a multi-year naming rights partnership with Mountain America Credit Union to form one of the most dynamic naming rights deals in college athletics.
• The 15-year partnership with Sun Devil Athletics – the most important deal in athletics department history - includes ASU's football stadium, which will now be called Mountain America Stadium, Home of the ASU Sun Devils.
• The partnership happens as a fever pitch surrounds Sun Devil Football and the hiring of Sun Devil graduate Kenny Dillingham, one of eight Arizona State alumni leading programs as head coaches at the University. ASU fans have been "Activating the Valley" leading up to the start of the 2023 college football season, as over 90 percent of football season tickets have been renewed so far, and 4,000 new season tickets have been sold. And now, with the record-breaking football naming partnership and comprehensive relationship with Mountain America, numerous Olympic sports teams will be showcased, and multiple areas of the Sun Devil fan experience, from in-stadium entertainment to digital marketing, will be impacted.
• Both Mountain America and ASU are committed to giving back to the community, and this partnership will provide support to the community and student-athletes in a variety of ways: Football Field Goals: Mountain America will donate $250 to the Sun Devil Club for every field goal made to enhance ASU's student-athlete experience, Shoe Donation Program: ASU and Mountain America will develop a shoe donation program, providing brand-new shoes to community members in need, Scholarships: Each year, Mountain America will provide $20,000 to ASU student-athletes, with $10,000 going to women's sports and $10,000 to men's sports, Financial Education Programs: Mountain America will offer special student-athlete financial education programs, including personal coaching sessions, Internship Program: Mountain America will also provide an internship program for student-athletes to help students develop the skills and experience needed for future endeavors.

SMART DEVILS

• ASU will compete with 22 young men this season that have already earned their undergraduate degrees: Emmit Bohle, BA Liberal Studies, 2023, Trenton Bourguet, BS Communication, 2022, Ben Bray, BAE Secondary Education (Mathematics), 2023, Jordan Clark, BS Communication, 2022 , Jalin Conyers, BA Liberal Studies, 2023 , Anthonie Cooper, BA Interdisciplinary Studies, 2022, Christopher Edmonds, BA Liberal Studies, 2022, Michael Matus, MBA Business Administration, 2023, Gio Sanders, BS Psychology, 2022, Messiah Swinson, BA Liberal Studies, 2023, Macen Williams, BA Interdisciplinary Studies, 2023, Cade Briggs, BA University Studies, 2023 (Texas Tech), Trae Brown, BA Criminal Justice and Criminology, 2022 (Washington State), Joshua Carlson, BA Business Administration, 2022 (New Mexico State), Ben Coleman, BA Media Studiees, 2022 (California), Sione Finau, BS Consumer Science Concentration, 2023 (Purdue), Demetries Ford, BS Criminal Justice, 2023 (Austin Peay), Dario Longhetto, BA Interdisciplinary Studies, 2023 (California), Dashaun Mallory, BA Interdisciplinary Studies, 2023 (Michigan State), Joey Ramos, BS Business Management, 2022 (Iowa State), Melquan Stovall, BS Business Administration/Organization and Innovation Management, 2022 (Colorado State), Slater Zellers, BA Legal Studies, 2023(California).