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Football Welcomes Cowboys to the Valley of the Sun

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Football Welcomes Cowboys to the Valley of the SunFootball Welcomes Cowboys to the Valley of the Sun

THE GAME -  Sun Devil Football continues its stretch of four home games to open the season this weekend as it welcomes future Big 12 opponent Oklahoma State on Saturday, Sept. 9 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 98.7 FM (Tim Healey, Jeff Van Raaphorst, Kevin Turner, Jeff Munn).

ON THE COWBOYS/POWER FIVE NON-CONFERENCE GAMES/SEPTEMBER -  The all-time series is split at two games after ASU dropped the tilt in Stillwater last season, 34-17. The Cowboys won their opener against Central Arkansas last weekend, 27-13. The home-and-home series marks a head start and preview for a continued rivalry between the two storied programs once the Sun Devil join the Cowboys in the Big 12 beginning next season. 

The Sun Devils have seen quite a bit of success against non-conference Power Five opponents at Mountain America Stadium over the last 25+ years, going 11-4 in home games against such teams (and Notre Dame) since the historic win over Nebraska in 1996. ASU has won six-straight games at Mountain America Stadium  against non-conference P5/Notre Dame opponents with its last loss in such a game coming against Georgia in 2008.

On the flip side, Oklahoma State has won seven consecutive non-conference road games entering the weekend dating back to 2013 - the second-longest streak in program history - and 12 straight games played in September (dating back to 2019). Meanwhile, ASU is 86-23-1 in September games in Tempe since joining the Pac-12 in 1978. 

KICKING OFF

  • ASU has held opponents to less than 30 points in 34 of 56 games since 2018 (60.7 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 30 occasions over 56 games (53.6 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 45 of 56 games (80.4 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.
  • Jaden Rashada became  just the second true freshman quarterback in program history to start the season opener, following Jayden Daniels in 2019. He was the ONLY true freshman in the FBS to start a team's opening game this season.

AN ASU VICTORY WOULD...

  • Improve ASU to 11-4 in HOME non-conference games against Power Five opponents/Notre Dame since defeating Nebraska in 1996 and be its seventh straight victory in such a game, not having lost one since Georgia in 2008.
  • End OSU's streak of seven consecutive wins in nin conference road games (dating back to 2013).
  • End OSU's streak of 12 straight wins in September games (dating back to 2019).
  • Improve ASU to 87-23-1 in September games in Tempe since 1978.
  • Give ASU two consecutive wins for the first time since Nov. 6 and 13 in the 2021 season.

MILESTONE WATCH

  • 5 or 8 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 46).
  • 465 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 535).
  • 36 rushing yards for Cam Skattebo to reach 2,000 for his career (currently at 1,964).
  • 54 receiving yards for Elijhah Badger to reach 1,000 for his career (currently at 946)
  • 54 receiving yards for Xavier Guillory to reach 1,500 for his career (currently at 1,446)

MAKING THE GRADE (HIGHEST PFF GRADES - WEEK 1)

  • 85.8 - ISAIAH GLASS - PASS BLOCKING
  • 85.7 - B.J. GREEN III - PASS RUSH
  • 84.0 - EMMIT BOHLE - RUN BLOCKING
  • 79.3 - EMMIT BOHLE - OVERALL OFFENSIVE GRADE
  • 79.1 - XAVIER GUILLORY - RUN BLOCKING

#10THINGS (Twitter-Friendly Notes)

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

2. The Sun Devils were credited with just seven missed tackles on defense in the opener, good for Top-30 among all FBS teams for the Week. 

3. ASU was sixth among all FBS programs in Week One in forcing opponents to miss 21 total tackles on offense. 

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 39.6 percent of his career rushes. 

6. After allowed the fewest receptions among Pac-12 corners last season, Ro Torrence opened the 2023 season by being targeted just twice and not allowing a catch in the opener.

7.  Jaden Rashada became just the second true freshman to start a season opener in Sun Devil program history and was the only true freshman quarterback to start an FBS team's opener this year. 

8. B.J. Green III had a pressure forced on 31.3 percent of his pass-rushing snaps in the opener, 12th among edge defenders in the FBS (min. 10 pass rushes). ASU's overall 42.9 percent QB pressure percentage in Week 1 was 28th in the FBS.

9. Elijhah Badger played only one half and forced 10 missed tackles in the opener - four as a receiver (third akong all FBS receivers in Week One) and six on kick returns (fifth among all 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.

45 - Since 2018, ASU has rushed for 100+ yards in 45 of 56 games (80.4 percent). 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 5.7 yards per rush in that time, tied for 16th in the FBS. ASU has received a team rushing grade of 94.7 from PFF since the 2020 season, the 22nd-highest tally in the FBS The team has averaged 3.3 yards after contact per rush in that time - 25th in the FBS. The Sun Devil have been stuffed at or behind the line of scrimmage just 18.2 percent of the time since the 2021 season - a tally good for 35th among all FBS programs in that time. ASU has a 1,000-yard rusher nine times in the last 12 years. 

40 - Cam Skattebo has rushed for a first down or touchdown on 39.6 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 8.2 percent of his career carries, the second-lowest tally among all active backs.Skattebo is 22nd 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. 

28 - ASU  has allowed just 28 passing touchdowns since the start of 2021 - tied for the 7th-fewest in the FBS. The team has allowed a touchdown on just 3.5 percent of passes thrown against it in that time (28/807) - the 9th-lowest tally in the FBS. The secondary has contested a target on 18.0 percent of passing plays since the start of 2021 - good for 26th in the FBS in that time. ASU has allowed just 5.1 yards after the catch per completion since 2021 - the 24th-lowest tally in the FBS. ASU has given up just 1.83 yards after contact per reception - the fourth-lowest tally in the FBS. Opponents have an NFL quarterback rating of just 78.1 since the start of 2021 - the 22nd-lowest mark in the FBS. 

21-ASU forced 21 missed tackles on offense in the opener, sitxh-best among all FBS programs in Week One. Cam Skattebo led the way with 12 - good for third along ALL FBS players in Week One. Elijhah Badgers played just one half and forced four - third among all FBS receivers for the week. As if that weren't enough, Badger added six more on kick returns - including several on his 81-yard scamper - and that total was good for fifth among all returners for the week. On the flip side, the Sun Devil defense gave up just seven missed tackles in the opener, which was good for a rank among the Top-30 fewest in the FBS for Week One.  

0 - No one wanted any part of Ro Torrence in the opener, as he was targeted just twice - the second fewest among Pac-12 corners with at least 15 coverage snaps - with no receptions allowed, joining USC's Christian Roland-Wallace as the only other Pac-12 corner to lay such a claim in Week One. PFF did not have Torrence recording a single open target allowed, one of just seven corners in the league to perform that feat during the opening weekend. 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. 

RUSH HOUR

  • ASU forced 12 missed tackles on running plays in the opener , the 17th most in the FBS for the week. 72.8 percent of the team's rushing yards came after first contact, 28th 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 30 games, where none of the teams ranked ahead of ASU have fewer than 35 games over the last three seasons. 
  • 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. 
  • ASU has received a team rushing grade of 94.7 from PFF since the 2020 season, the 22nd-highest tally in the FBS
  • Since 2020, ASU has been stuffed at or behind the line of scrimmage on just 18.2 percent of its rushes - good for the 35th-lowest tally in the FBS. The team has averaged 3.3 yards after contact per rush in that time - 25th 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 5.7 yards per rush in that time, tied for 16th in the FBS.
  • Since 2018, ASU has rushed for 100+ yards in 45 of 56 games (80.4 percent).

A HAND IN THE COOKIE JAR

  • ASU has forced 72 offensive turnovers overall since 2019, good for 36th 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 48.6 percent of the time following an ASU turnover since 2012 (85 of 175) with 62 touchdowns (35.4 percent).
  • ASU has interceptions 17 of the last 21 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 56 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 57 games). ASU ranked in the bottom 10 nationally in 50+ yards played allowed each year from 2014-17.
  • 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 30 occasions over 56 games (53.6 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 82 TOTAL 30-plus yard plays (1.5 per game/56 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

  • No one wanted any part of Ro Torrence in the opener, as he was targeted just twice - the second fewest among Pac-12 corners with at least 15 coverage snaps - with no receptions allowed, joining USC's Christian Roland-Wallace as the only other Pac-12 corner to lay such a claim in Week One. PFF did not have Torrence recording a single open target allowed, one of just seven corners in the league to perform that feat during the opening weekend. 
  • 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

  • Southern Utah tried its luck with Jordan Clark instead, targeting him a team-high six times and being rewarded with two pass breakups and just a 33.3 percent completion average that was the seventh lowest among Pac-12 corners
  • 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 78.1 since the start of 2021 - the 22nd-lowest mark in the FBS. 
  • The 6.79 opponent passing yards per attempt in that time are 36th in the FBS in that time. 
  • ASU has allowed just 5.1 yards after the catch per completion since 2021 - the 24th-lowest tally in the FBS. ASU has given up just 1.83 yards after contact per reception - the fourth-lowest tally in the FBS.
  • ASU has allowed just 28 passing touchdowns since the start of 2021 - tied for the 7th-fewest in the FBS. The team has allowed a touchdown on just 3.5 percent of passes thrown against it in that time (28/807) - the 9th-lowest tally in the FBS.
  • The secondary has contested a target on 18.0 percent of passing plays since the start of 2021 - good for 26th 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.

GREEN LIGHT, GO

  • B.J. Green III posted the 23rd-best pass-rushing grade among ALL FBS players in Week One at 85.7 (min. 10 pass rush attempts).
  • Green forced a QB pressure on 31.3 percent of his pass rushing plays in Week One (5 of 16), 12th among all edge defenders who played at least 10 snap on a pass rush
  • 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 has done 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 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 had 229 receiving yards after the catch (out of 422 total yards) - 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. 
  • Conyers immediate picked up where he left off, finishing with 56 yards after the catch in the opener (includes yards on balls passed behind the line of scrimmage) - good for fourth among all FBS tight ends despite only having two catches. 
  • 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. 
  • 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 have come 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 126first 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 22nd 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. He forced 12 in Week One, third among all FBS players for the week.
  • Skattebo has rushed for a first down or touchdown on 39.6 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 8.2 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.
  • The Sun Devils put up three quarters of exceptional defense in the opener, struggling out of the gates after over a two hour weather delay coming out of half time where it allowed Southern Utah 109 of its 226 total yards from the game. But the team limited SUU to just two yards in the fourth quarter to seal the deal. Nearly 25 percent of Southern Utah's TOTAL yards on the day game on one 52-yard passing play in that third quarter, as the Sun Devils otherwised stymied the SUU offense. 
  • ASU was credited with just seven missed tackles in the opener, among the Top-30 fewest among FBS teams in Week One. The team was credited with 22 run "stops" - 28th in the FBS.
  • ASU forced a QB pressure on 42.9 percent of its defensive plays in the opener, the 28th-best tally 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 forced 21 missed tackles on offense in the opener, sxith best among all FBS programs in Week One. 
  • 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).