Football Returns Home to Take on Jayhawks

PDF of Game Notes
Watch on ESPN2 /// Listen on ESPN 620 AM /// Game Notes Central
Coach Kenny Dillingham Weekly Press Conference /// Sun Devil Football 2024 Features/Links /// Sun Devil Extra Weekly Show
Sun Devil Football Tickets /// Sparky's Stadium Shop 
Fan Game Day Guide /// Game Day Enhancements at Mountain America Stadium /// Turnkey Tailgating
ASU Family Weekend /// ASU Hall of Fame Weekend
Support the Sun Devils /// Follow us on X

THE GAME -  Sun Devil Football returns from the bye week and returns to Mountain America Stadium for the first time in a month for the program's first Big 12 home game on Saturday, Oct. 5 against the Kansas Jayhawks. Scheduled for a 5 p.m. AZT kickoff, the contest will be broadcast on ESPN2 (Brian Custer, Rod Gilmore, Lauren Sister) and available over the airwaves in Arizona on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM (Jeff Munn, Jeff Van Raaphorst, Kevin Turner).

ON THE JAYHAWKS - This will be the first meeting between the two programs in history, the third time this season ASU has played an opponent for the first time. Saturday's game will be Kansas' first regular season game played in the state of Arizona in program history after playing in the 2023 Guaranteed Rate Bowl in Phoenix, where the Jayhawks defeated UNLV, 49-36 on Dec. 26, 2023. Kansas' first game played in Arizona came on Dec. 31, 2008, when Kansas defeated Minnesota, 42-21 in the 2008 Insight Bowl. Led by fourth-year head coach Lance Leipold, the Jayhawks are among the most experienced teams in the Big 12 Conference and the country, with 30 total seniors, including 14 redshirt seniors listed on the roster. A team that was once the youngest in college football when head coach Lance Leipold arrived in 2021, the Jayhawks return seven offensive starters and eight defensive starters from a season ago, along with 516 career starts among both units.

SIX DEGREES OF SUN DEVIL-ATION

• Kansas offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes served as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator for the Sun Devils from 2001-2003
• Arizona State linebackers coach and defensive run game coordinator A.J. Cooper coached at North Dakota State from 2008-2009 with Kansas wide receivers coach Terrance Samuel.
• Arizona State offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo was head coach of UNLV in 2020 and Terrance Samuel was his pass game coordinator.
• Arizona State DB Laterrance Welch and Kansas CB Damarius McGhee were teammates at LSU in 2022
• Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt and Kansas DE Bai Jobe were teammates at Michigan State in 2023
• Arizona State punter Kanyon Floyd and Kansas OL Carter Lavrusky were teammates at Horizon High School
• Arizona State WR Malik McClain and DB Kamari Wilson were teammates with Kansas safety O.J. Burroughs at IMG Academy in 2020

KICKING OFF

• The Sun Devils are outscoring opponents 35-3 in the "middle eight" of games (final four minutes of 2nd quarter and first four minutes of the 3rd quarter). Kansas has been outscored 31-20 in the middle eight of its games. 
• ASU have  held opponents to 30 points or less in 47 of 71 games since 2018 (62.9 percent) - including all three games this season, notable as it DID allow 30+ in 32 of the 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 40 occasions over 71 games (56.3 percent of the time) - including each game this season. For comparison, ASU accomplished the feat just 24 times in the 65 previous games (36.9 percent) from 2013-2017. 
• ASU is looking to stymie a bizare recent trend in which the team has gone 2-9 in its last 11 games following a bye week, which includes an active five-game losing streak in such games. 
• ASU has run a "successful" offensive play 40.5 percent of the time this season (40 percent of the yards to go on first, 60 percent on second and 100 percent on third and fourth) - a tally good for 29th nationally after the team was 115th in the FBS a year ago with just a 31.0 successful play percentage. 

#10THINGS (Twitter-Friendly Notes)

1. ASU has scored a touchdown/recorded a field goal attempt on 53.8% of its drives, 27th-most in the FBS. Only 34.1% of opponent drives have done the same - a net 19.7% difference that's 24th-best in the FBS.

2. Sam Leavitt's 312 passing yards while under pressure this season are good for sixth in the country.

3. The Sun Devils have allowed just two plays over 30 yards this season, tied for the second-fewest in the country. 

4. Xavion Alford has just 20 yards allowed in coverage this year, third-lowest among Big 12 players and ninth in the FBS. His three receptions allowed are third-lowest in the league and eighth in the FBS.

5. ASU has let to allow an opponent to score on a drive starting within its own 20-yard line and has only allowed. 

6. The Sun Devils are averaging 21.3 first half points per game - good for 14th in the FBS - while holding opponents to 10.3 first half points per game - 42nd-lowest in the FBS.

7.  The Sun Devil defense has allowed just a paltry 3.5 yards per third down to opponent offenses - the 18th-lowest total in the country after allowing 5.3 per third down play a year ago (67th). 

8. ASU's rushers have earned 71.5 percent of their total yards AFTER contact in this season, the 25th-best tally in the FBS.

9. ASU's quarterbacks have had an average time to throw of 3.31 seconds this season, good for 23rd best in the FBS after ranking 128th in the country a season ago at 2.48 seconds.

10. Cam Skattebo has been stuffed for no gain or a loss on just 10.3 percent of his career carries, good for the fourth-lowest tally among all active backs at both the FBS and FCS levels (min. 300 attempts).

BY THE NUMBERS

60 - Kenny Dillingham has put together a roster with 60 total newcomers this season - the ninth-most of any FBS school behind only Colorado after being second a year ago. The Sun Devils have just three players in their final year of eligibility that started their careers at Arizona State (Trenton Bourguet, Caleb McCullough and Anthonie Cooper) - tied for the fourth-lowest tally in the FBS. ASU's 46 scholarship newcomers are tied for third most in the FBS while the teams 58 returning players are tied for the fifth-lowest tally in the FBS. Only 38 of those players are scholarship student-athletes, tied for the third-lowest mark in the FBS.

53 - ASU has scored a touchdown or recorded a field goal attempt on 53.8 percent of its drives this season, 27th-most in the FBS. Only 34.1 percent of opponent drives have done the same. The net +19.7 percent difference in 24th-best in the FBS. The offense is averaging 2.64 points per drive this season, a tally good for 40th in the country while the team's +.67 net points per drive total over opponents is 43rd.. The offense has picked up 52.3 percent of its available yards on the year, good for 41st in the country while the team's +16.7 net available yards percentage over opponents is the 23rd-best in the FBS.

3 - Leif Fautanu has played 2,934 career snaps, the third-most snaps among active centers in the FBS behind only NMSU's Canaan Yarro (3,060) and Texas' Jake Majors (3,008). He started all 12 games for the Sun Devils a year ago, playing all but one snap of the season (helmet came off) for the team at center (850). He has started in 47 career games - all coming consecutively - in his career. Fautanu also has just one single pressure credited against him, tied for eighth-fewest in the FBS (min. 100 pass block snaps). His 0.72 pressure allowed percentage is 15th among FBS centers. His 86.0 pass-blocking grade is sixth among FBS centers. 

3 - Xavion Alford has allowed just three receptions in coverage this season, tied for the second-fewest among Big 12 secondary players (min. 100 coverage snaps) and eighth-fewest in the FBS. His 20 yards allowed in coverage this year are third-lowest among Big 12 players and ninth in the FBS..He has allowed just 0.14 yards per coverage snap this season, third-lowest in the Big 12 and sixth in the FBS. Alford has forced an incompletion 25.0 percent of the time when targeted, the 11th-best total in the Big 12. Alford's 80.6 grade in pass coverage this season is 20th among all FBS safeties and fifth among safeties in the Big 12. 

1 - Sam Leavitt is tied for first in the FBS with just one turnover-worthy throw this season, according to Pro Football Focus.Leavitt has shown his ability to keep his composure under pressure, with 312 passing yards while pressured - good for sixth nationally. He has two touchdown passes  this season coming while being pressured, giving him a tie for 23rd in the nation in under-pressure touchdown passes.  His 53.3 completion percentage while being pressured is 24th among FBS quarterbacks.His 98.2 NFL QBR while under pressure is 16th in the nation. He has picked up a first down with his arm 15 times on 50 pressures - 13th-most in the FBS.

0 - The ASU defense has yet to let an opponent drive down the field and  score on a drive starting within its own 20-yard line. ASU has been stalwart in keeping opponents from getting across the 50, allowing other teams to pick up just 41.5 percent of their available yards up to their own 40-yard line - the third-lowest total in the FBS. The defense has let the opponent cross the 50 yard line just 17 times on 45 drives this season (37.8 percent), excluding drives that started inside ASU's own 50 due to turnovers/failed fourth down conversions. Only 34.1 percent of opponent drives have resulted in a touchdown or field goal attempt, the 34th-lowest total in the FBS. 

AN ASU VICTORY WOULD...

• End ASU's five-game losing streak after a bye week dating back to 2019 ( the 2020 "bye week" was a month off while ASU dealt with COVID issues). ASU had two bye weekends in 2019 as well, losing after the second but winning the first game after the first. ASU is 2-9 in its last 11 games following a bye week.
• Continue a trend of ASU performing well in its first HOME conference game of the season after the program went 27-17-1 in such games in the Pac-12 Era.

MILESTONE WATCH

• Running back Cam Skattebo is 29 receiving yards away from reaching 1,000 receiving yards in his career (currently at 971)
• Skattebo has now played in 40 games during his collegiate career
• Wide receiver Xavier Guillory is 287 receiving yards away from reaching 2,000 receiving yards in his career (currently at 1,713)
• Wide receiver Melquan Stovall is 58 receiving yards away from reaching 1,500 receiving yards in his career (currently at 1,442)
• Stovall is 1 game played away from appearing in 50 games in his career (currently at 49). He is 5 catches away from reaching 150 for his career (currently at 145)
• Defensive lineman Jeff Clark is 1 sack away from registering 10 sacks in his career (currently at 9.0). Clark has now played in 40 games during his collegiate career
• Linebacker Caleb McCullough is 5 games played away from appearing in 40 games in his career, all in an ASU uniform (currently at 35)
• Linebacker Keyshaun Elliott needs 29 tackles to reach 200 for his career (currentl at 171). 
• Defensive back Shamari Simmons reached 200 career tackles thanks to his seven-tackle performance against Texas Tech (currently at 203)
• Simmons needs 2 more pass defenses to reach 30 passes defended in his career (currently at 28)
• Defensive back Myles Rowser went over the 150-career tackle mark after accounting for nine against Texas Tech (currently at 154).

HALL OF FAME WEEKEND

• The Sun Devil 2024 Hall of Fame class will be celebrated this weekend, highlighting seven individuals whose storied ASU careers have had a long-lasting impact on the department. Within the class are five student-athletes from men's diving, women's track and field, softball, women's golf and football, plus one former three-sport athlete and one head coach who is headed to the school's Hall of Distinction.
• The 2024 inductees are Micky Benedetti, diving; Valerye Boyer-Wells, women's track and field; Katelyn Boyd, softball; Roger Detter, baseball, men's basketball and track & field ; Azahara Munoz, women's golf; John Spini, Hall of Distinction, gymnastics and Will Sutton, football.
• Sutton will be the team's honorary captain for the coin toss. All members will be recognized in a short ceremony at midfield at halftime of the contest. 
• The luncheon will be held on Friday, Oct. 4, at ASU's Old Main, while honorees will be introduced at the Sun Devil football game on Saturday, Oct. 5, against Kansas. Prior to kickoff, all inductees will be signing autographs at Sparky's Touchdown Tailgate hosted by the ASU Alumni Association on College Avenue from 3:00-3:30 p.m. AZT.
• The SDA Hall of Fame was established in 1975 to honor the school's most distinguished student-athletes in all sports. Student-athletes become eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame 10 years after their senior class has graduated. The Hall of Distinction, recognizing outstanding contributions from coaches and administrators, was inaugurated in 1982.

WILD SKATT

• Cam Skattebo is 9th among all active FBS AND FCS running backs with 3,114 career rushing yards while his 6.2 yards per carry are tied for 11th in that group. (min. 300 carries). He is 28th in the FBS this season with 433 yards rushing and seventh in all-purpose yards per game at 155.75 - good for second in the Big 12. 
• He has forced 183 career missed tackles on rushing plays,54th among active FBS/FCS halfbacks while his 0.36 missed tackles forced per rushing attempt are sixth (min. 300 attempts). He is 17th among FBS running backs this season wtih 24 missed tackles forced on rushing plays.
• Skattebo has rushed for a first down or touchdown on 37.6 percent of his career carries, tops among all active FBS/FCS backs (min. 300 attempts). He has rushed for a first down or touchdown on 39.5 percent of his rushes this year, good for sixth in the FBS.
• He has been stuffed for no gain or a loss on just 10.3 percent of his career carries, good for the fourth-lowest tally among all active backs at both levels (min. 300 attempts).
• He is currently averaging 3.8 yards after contact per career rush - tied for 14th among all active FBS/FCS backs. His 3.7 yards after contact per rush this season are 33rd in the FBS and his 321 total yards after contact are 17. 
• He has 14 total 100+ rushing yard performances in his career, with four coming at Arizona State.
• Skattebo was a a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award for the nation's most versatile player after doing a little of everything last season, recording over 50 snaps at quarterback, over 350 at running back, two at tight end, over 100 as either a slot receiver or wide wide receiver, three on kick return and over five on punt coverage
• He also punted eight times for a team-best 42.3 yards per punt on eight punts, none of which were returned - one of just three punters in the country with 8+ punts in the country to lay such a claim - and three punts over 50 yards.

BOO SHIESTY

• With his 117-yard receiving yard effort against Texas Tech, Cam Skattebo (pronounced BOO) became the first ASU running back to have over 100 receiving yards in a game since Kalen Ballage on Nov. 10, 2016 at Utah (113).
• His 190 total receiving yards this season are second among FBS running backs and his 13 receptions are 14th. 
• He leads the nation with 205 yards after the catch among the FBS running backs - a total good for 19th among all players, regardless of position.
• His 92 receiving yards after contact are 25th among all FBS players and second among FBS running backs. 
• His seven first downs receiving are fourth among FBS running backs, as are his 14.6 yards per catch. 
• Skattebo had the game of his career against Mississippi State in Week 2, rushing for a career high 262 yards on 33 carries in the 30-23 victory. He was named the AP National Offensive Player of the Week, The Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week and the Doak Walker Running Back of the Week for the effort. 
• The 262 yards were 50 more than any other player in the FBS for the week. Skattebo rushed for 155 yards AFTER contact in the contest, which alone was more than all but seven players in the country had for TOTAL rushing  yardage in their games in Week 2.
• Skattebo's 262 were the second-most in a single game for a Sun Devil EVER, behind only Eno Benjamin's 2018 school record of 312 against Oregon State.
• Skattebo had 19 first downs rushing against MSU, eight more than any other FBS player in Week 2. He had a first down/touchdown rate of 57.6, which was eighth in the country overall (min. 10 carries), but notable as no player ahead of him had more than 14 carries compared to his 33. 
• Skattebo's 85.8 grade as a rusher from PFF is fourth among all FBS running backs this season and his Week Two grade of 84.6 was third among FBS backs - though the two ahead of him had just 14 and 13 rushes in their efforts.
• 93 of Skattebo's yards came in the fourth quarter, including a game-best 39-yard run on the final drive to seal the victory.
• He becomes the first Sun Devil to go over 30 carries since Rachaad White had 32 carries against Washington on Nov. 13, 2021. His 137 rushing yards at half was the most by a Sun Devil since Eno Benjamin had 185 against Oregon State on Sept. 29, 2018.
• It was the most rushing yards by one individual against Mississippi State since at least 2004.

WHEN THE LEAVITT BREAKS

• Sam Leavitt is tied for first with just one turnover-worthy throw this season, according to Pro Football Focus.
• Leavitt has shown his ability to keep his composure under pressure, with 312 passing yards while pressured - good for sixth nationally. He has two touchdown passes  this season coming while being pressured, giving him a tie for 23rd in the nation in under-pressure touchdown passes.  
• His 53.3 completion percentage while being pressured is 24th among FBS quarterbacks.
• His 98.2 NFL QBR while under pressure is 16th in the nation. He has picked up a first down with his arm 15 times on 50 pressures - 13th-most in the FBS.
• Leavitt has rushed for 164 yards this season on 19 QB scrambles, the yardage tied for the fifth-most among quarterbacks in the FBS. 
• With sack plays excluded, his 205 rushing yards total are 30th among FBS quarterbacks. He is seventh among FBS quarterbacks with four touchdown rushes.
• He has picked up a first down or touchdown on 31.6 percent of those scrambles under pressure, good for 36th among FBS quarterbacks. 
• Leavitt has the nation's 12th-best rushing grade when scrambling this season at 71.7. His 73.4 overall rushing grade is 9th among FBS quarterbacks.
• Sam Leavitt's Sun Devil debut against Wyoming was about as good as anyone could have asked for with the redshirt freshman throwing for 258 yards on 14-of-22 passing, recording two touchdowns and no interceptions while also adding 47 rushing yards.
• The 258 passing yards with the third-most by a Sun Devil making his debut since 1996, behind only Joey Yellen (292, 2019) and Jayden Daniels (284, 2019).

KEEP THEM IN FRONT OF YOU

• ASU has allowed just 19 plays over 50 yards to opponents since the 2018 season over 71 games - tied for third-fewest in the FBS in that time behind only Washington (16) and Kentucky (18). ASU ranked in the bottom 10 nationally in 50+ yards played allowed each year from 2014-17.
• ASU has allowed just 12 catches for 50 or more yards in that span,  tied for the fourth-lowest amount in the FBS in that time.
• The Sun Devils have  allowed just two plays overs 30 yards this season, tied for the second-lowest total in the country (Ohio State, 0). ASU allowed just 22 total plays over 30 yards last season, which was 35th in the FBS. 
• Since 2018, ASU has allowed just 112 TOTAL 30-plus yard plays (1.6 per game/70 games)). That is the third-lowest tally in the FBS in that time behind Iowa (89) and Northwestern (103) (Sam Houston State and Kennesaw State excluded as they joined the FBS after 2018). For perspective, from 2014-17, ASU gave up 38, 44, 40, 40 such plays each SEASON, respectively ranked 116th, 124th, 117th and 119th.

RULE OF THIRDS

• The Sun Devils were among the worst teams in the nation on third downs last season, both converting and defending - ranking 120th in converting just 31.76 percent of their attempts and 91st in allowing opponents to convert 40.99 percent of theirs.
• Despite struggling in the categories against Texas Tech, the Sun Devils certainly showed improvement in the category this seaosnas the team  has converted 41.67 percent of its opportunites (25-of-60) - the 59th-best tally in the FBS - while limiting opponents to just 37.93 percent of theirs (22-of-58) - 72nd
• The team has been solid at converting its short-yardage situations, picking up a first down on 3rd- or 4th-and-3 or less on 72.0 percent of its chances (18 of 25) - good for 37th nationally.
• ASU's success on short third downs has come by way of its success on picking up more yards on first down to set up short yardage situations, where ASU has improved to 45th in the country in averaging 6.6 yards per first down after being 98th (5.4) a season ago.
• The Sun Devils are averaging 5.5 yards per third down play on offense, the 65th-highest total in the country after ranking 112th a year ago at 4.4 yards per third down attempt.
• Conversely, the defense has allowed just a paltry 3.5 yards per third down to opponent offenses - the 18th-lowest total in the country after allowing 5.3 per third down play a year ago (67th).

SPECIAL TEAMS, SPECIAL PLAYERS

• The field position battle was one ASU frequently lost a season ago, but showed glimpses of improvement early in 2024.
• ASU has had just 10.3 percent of its offensive drives this season start inside its own 20-yard line this year - the 12th-lowest tally nationally.
• ASU's average starting field position has been its own 29.7 yard line while holding opponents to a starting average of their own 30.0 yard line. ASU's average starting field position a season ago was its own 25.3 yard line compared to opponents starting on their own 34.8.
• Kicker Ian Hershey is tied for 20th in the country with seven field goals made this season (9 attempts).
• In Charlie Ragle's first season as the Special Teams Coordinator, the Sun Devils set a new school record for fewest yards allowed on kick returns.
• Ragle's unit only allowed 246 kick return yards on 15 attempts, breaking the previous record set in 1946 (247 yards on 9 returns).
• The 16.4 yards per kick return by opponents also set a new program record, eclipsing the previous mark of 16.6 set in 1950 (829 yards on 50 returns). 
• The 16.4 tally was good for 16th in the FBS a season ago. Opponents are currently averaging just 19.67 yards per kick return this year.
• The longest kickoff return by an ASU opponent last year was a pedestrian 26-yard return by Utah's Mikey Matthews on Nov. 4, 2023.
• On the flip side, the Sun Devils were also very solid with returning kicks, ranking 23rd in the nation and first in the Pac-12 in kickoff return average at 22.90.

NO FLY ZONE

• ASU's pass defense numbers in the opener continue a trend in the Sun Devil Football program that has transcended coaching/personnel changes over the past four-plus seasons. 
• Among slot defenders, Shamari Simmons is one of just 19 players in the country not credited with a touchdown allowed (min. 80 snaps), despite playing the 11th-most slot coverage snaps in the country.  His 128 total yards allowed are 19th-lowest in the country (min. 80 plays in slot defense). His 1.03 yards allowed per slot coverage snap is the 14th-lowest total in the FBS. He has accomplished this despite being the fourth-most targeted slot defender in the country (28 targets)
• Xavion Alford has allowed just three receptions in coverage this season, tied for the second-fewest among Big 12 secondary players (min. 100 coverage snaps) and eighth-fewest in the FBS. His 20 yards allowed in coverage this year are third-lowest among Big 12 players and ninth in the FBS..
• He has allowed just 0.14 yards per coverage snap this season, third-lowest in the Big 12 and sixth in the FBS.
• Alford has forced an incompletion 25.0 percent of the time when targeted, the 11th-best total in the Big 12.
• Javan Robinson is seventh among Big 12 corners in allowing just nine receptions this season and also seventh with just 75 yards allowed in coverage this season while being targeted just 18 times - tied for the ninth-lowest among league corners. 
• Robinson has allowed just two plays over 15 yards, fourth-lowest among Big 12 corners.
• ASU has allowed just 19 catches for 158 yards on third downs this season - a yardage total good for the 26th-lowest nationally.
• Opponents have just a 72.9 NFL QBR rating on third downs against ASU this season. The group ranked 113th nationally a season ago in allowing opponents a 96.1 NFL QBR on third down passing.
• The ASU defense has allowed just 5.97 yards per passing attempt this season, the 27th-lowest total in the country. The group was 88th a year ago with 7.54 yards allowed per attempt.
• ASU has allowed just 5.4 yards after the catch per completion since 2020 - the 31st-lowest tally in the FBS. 
• ASU has given up just 2.02 yards after contact per reception - the 20th-lowest tally in the FBS.
• ASU has allowed just 70 passing touchdowns since the start of 2020 - tied for the 26th-fewest in the FBS. 
• Since 2020, the 6.86 opponent passing yards per attempt allowed are 35th in the FBS.
• Since 2018, the Sun Devil secondary has allowed just 36 total passing plays over 40 yards - the sixth-fewest in the FBS in that time. 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

• Justin Wodtly is the sixth-highest graded edge defender in the Big 12 on defense (75.2).
• ASU has the third-quickest average time to cause a QB pressure in the Big 12 at 2.42 seconds.
• Clayton Smith and Elijah o'Neal are tied for 18th in the Big 12 with a team-leading 11 QB pressures. O'Neal's 11.5 pressure percentage is 15th in the league.
• ASU's defensive line has an average depth of tackle of 1.97 yards on running plays, third-lowest in the Big 12 and 38th in the FBS.
• C.J. Fite's average depth of tackle on run plays is 1.22 yards from the line of scrimmage, good for 10th among interior lineman in the Big 12. His nine defensive "stops" on run defense are sixth among Big 12 interior linemen.
• A year ago, Fite played the fourth-most snaps of any true freshman defender in the Pac-12 and tops among all defensive linemen. He was Top-50 among all true freshmen defenders in the FBS in snaps played and his 350 snaps were third among all true freshmen interior defensive lineman in the FBS for the season.
• Among FBS true AND redshirt freshmen, Fite's 71.3 grade from PFF on run defense was fifth in the country. That mark was good for 13th among all Pac-12 interior defenders, regardless of year. 
• ASU's interior linemen as a whole last season had 22 combined tackles for loss or no gain on rushes - good for 13th in the FBS. Those interior linemen had an average depth of tackle of just 1.49 yards, the 23rd-lowest tally in the FBS. 
• The Sun Devil defense was succesful in harrying opposing quarterbacks, giving team's just an average of 2.37 seconds to throw the ball - the 20th-fastest time in the FBS.
• The team forced a quick pressure (less than 2.5 seconds to pressure) on 114 occasions - 26th-best in the FBS and the team's overall 159 total pressures were 30th. These numbers come despite blitzing only 29.6 percent of the time - the 32nd-lowest percentage in the FBS.

WHERE'S THE BEEF?

• The Sun Devil offensive line entered the 2024 season with  a combined 156 career starts spread amongst them entering the 2024 season, the fifth-highest tally in the country.
• The experienced group has done its part this season in protecting its quarterback and also paving the way for its rushers as the squad looks to be one of the more improved lines in the country based. 
• ASU's offensive linemen have been credited with just 27 pressures allowed this season, good for 50th in the country after ranking 80th in the category a year ago. 
• The offensive line room has a pass blocking grade of 79.8 from PFF this season, good for 32nd in the FBS. 
• ASU's quarterbacks have had an average time to throw of 3.31 seconds this season, good for 23rd-best in the FBS after ranking 128th in the country a season ago at 2.48 seconds.
• The group is 23rd nationally with an average of 2.60 seconds before allowing a QB pressure. ASU was 117th a year ago with a 2.37 mark before giving up a QB pressure. 
• Sam Leavitt has had less than 2.50 seconds to thow the ball on just 46.0 percent of his dropbacks this season, the 28th-lowest tally in the FBS (out of 90 QBs with 115+ dropbacks). For perspective, last season, Trenton Bourguet had less than 2.50 seconds to throw the ball 65.9 percent of the time - the second-MOST of any quarterback in the FBS.
• Ben Coleman ranks tied for second among all FBS guards with just one QB pressure allowed this year (min. 100 pass block snaps). His 0.74 pressure allowed percentage on 134 pass block snaps is 12th nationally among guards. His 87.1 pass blocking grade is sixth among all FBS guards and 16th among all FBS players, regardless of position. . 
• Leif Fautanu also has just one single pressure credited against him, tied for eighth-fewest in the FBS (min. 100 pass block snaps). His 0.72 pressure allowed percentage is 15th among FBS centers. His 86.0 pass-blocking grade is sixth among FBS centers. 
• Fautanu has played 2,934 snaps in his career, third-most among FBS centers behind only NMSU's Canaan Yarro (3,060) and Texas' Jake Majors (3,008) and has started 45 consecutive games in his career.
• Last season, despite being the only FBS team to see at least 11 different combinations of its starting five offensive linemen due to unprecedented bad luck on the injury front, ASU allowed just 13 total sacks in its final eight games (including four games with no sacks) compared to 17 in the first four games.  The 13 sacks in the last 8 games are 42nd-lowest in that time while the 17 in the first four weeks were sixth-WORST in the country.
• The team allowed a knockdown percentage of 11.1 percent in the final eight games and is right in the middle of the FBS. Through the first four weeks of the season, ASU's knockdown percentage was 21.9 - 7th worst in the FBS.

GETTING DEFENSIVE

• ASU's defense will look to build upon a solid base in its second season under defensive coordinator Brian Ward, who was named a candidate for the 2023 Broyles Award, given annually to the top assistant coach in college football. 
• ASU has allowed just 286.0 yards per game, good for that is 22nd nationally and third in the Big 12. Opponents are averaging just 4.32 yards per play - 15th in the country.
• It should be noted that 74 of Wyoming's 118 total yards came on its final drive against ASU's deep reserves and walk-ons and required the Cowboys to take all three of their timeouts in a 48-0 game to accomplish. Against Mississippi State, 80 yards came on a broken tackle on a wide receiver screen that led to ASU's only 30+ yard play allowed this season. Both plays occured in the fourth quarter. Those instances represent 154 of the 1,154 yards allowed by ASU this year (13.3 percent). 
• ASU's defense currently ranks 27th in overall defensive EPA at -0.079.
• The team has allowed offenses to pick up just 35.6 of their available yards, the 24th-lowest total nationally. 
• The defense has yet to let an opponent score on a drive starting within its own 20-yard line. 
• ASU has been stalwart in keeping opponents from getting across the 50, allowing other teams to pick up just 41.5 percent of their available yards up to their own 40-yard line - the third-lowest total in the FBS. The defense has let the opponent cross the 50 yard line just 17 times on 45 drives this season (37.8 percent), excluding drives that started inside ASU's own 50 due to turnovers/failed fourth down conversions. 
• Only 34.1 percent of opponent drives have resulted in a touchdown or field goal attempt, the 34th-lowest total in the FBS. 
• ASU has been credited with just 45 missed tackles on defense, ranking as the 35th-fewest in the country this season. The team has been especially stout against the run, missing just 16 tackles on run plays - tied for the 22nd-lowest tally in the country. The Sun Devils were Top-40 in the country last season in only being credited with 129 missed tackles on defense.
• Since 2018, ASU has held opponents to the 400 or less mark for total offensive yards on 40 occasions over 71 games (56.3 percent of the time). For comparison, ASU accomplished the feat just 24 times in the 65 previous games (36.9 percent) from 2013-2017.
• In eight of 11 games following the season opener last season, ASU held its opponent at or below its season scoring averaging entering the game (Oklahoma State 27/27.0, Fresno State 29/36.5, USC 42/59.3, Cal 24/32.8, Colorado 27/34.2, Washington 15/44.3, Washington State 27/32.9, UCLA 7/28.6). ASU is three for three in that category this year: Mississippi State (23/56.0), Texas State (28/41.5),  Texas Tech (30, 44.7).

GOLD RUSH

• The Sun Devils rank 32nd nationally and fourth in the Big 12 in averaging 195.5 rushing yards per game this year. 
• The group is averaging a first down or touchdown 31.6 percent of the time, good for 32nd nationally.
• The rushing attack has been especially efficient with ASU earning 71.5 percent of its total yards AFTER contact, the 25th-best tally nationally. The group's 3.5 yards after contact per rush are 40th in the FBS.
• A huge part of the rushing success has come by way of the team's wide receivers and their edge blocking. Jordyn Tyson (124) has the 23rd-most run-blocking snaps of any wide receiver in the FBS.
• Tyson is the nation's 35th-highest graded run blocker as a wide receiver on gap blocking plays at 77.1.
• ASU has forced 43 missed tackles on run plays this season, 28th-most in the FBS.
• The Sun Devils ranked 35th in the FBS in averaging 0.25 missed tackles forced per running play last season. 
• Since 2020, ASU's 20.8 percentage of total drives ending with rushing touchdowns is ninth in the FBS.
• ASU has received a team rushing grade of 95.6 from PFF since the 2020 season, the 38th-highest tally in the FBS.
• Since 2020, ASU has been stuffed at or behind the line of scrimmage on just 18.3 percent of its rushes - good for the 34th-lowest tally in the FBS. The team has averaged 3.2 yards after contact per rush in that time - tied for 29th in the FBS.
• Since 2020, ASU has picked up a first down or touchdown on 30.8 percent of its rushes - 13th-most in the FBS. The team is averaging 5.3 yards per rush in that time, tied for 37th in the FBS.
• Since 2018, ASU has rushed for 100+ yards in 53 of 71 games (74.6 percent).
• The Sun Devils have produced a 1,000-yard rusher nine times in the last 13 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.

BUT ALSO NO RUSH

• The Sun Devils have held opponents to just 82.3 rushing yards per game, the 13th-best total in the country. ASU was 36th in the FBS in allowing just 133.5 rush yards per game to opponents last season. 
• Eight times in 16 games under Kenny Dillingham and Brian Ward has ASU held an opponent under 100 rushing yards in a game, including two of four games this season.
• Shamari Simmons has the ninth-best run defense score among FBS corners at 82.9.  Keith Abney has the 41st-best grade among FBS corners at 75.0 on run defense. 
• Myles Rowswer has the 20th-highest run-blocking grade among safeties in the FBS at 81.6
• A year ago, the Sun Devils allowed only 88 rushing yards to Washington State, which marked the third consecutive game that ASU had held an opponent to under 100 rushing yards. It was the first time since the first three games of the 2016 season that ASU had accomplished the feat (Northern Arizona - 56 yards, Texas Tech - 72 yards, UTSA - 93 yards).
• It was the first time it had happened against three-straight Pac-12 Conference opponents since a four-game stretch in the 2015 season (USC - 76, UCLA - 62, Colorado - 49, Utah - 72).
• In that three-game span against CU/UW/WSU, Arizona State allowed only 157 total rushing yards - the fewest over a three-game stretch since the Sun Devils allowed only 96 against Colorado (99), Washington (-5), and Washington State (2) during the 2013 season.
• A lot of that success can be attibuted to the Sun Devil secondary as well, which received a positive rush defense grade on 17.3 percent of run plays this season from PFF, the 32nd-highest tally among safeties and corners in the FBS.

A HAND IN THE COOKIE JAR

• Arizona State only had eight takeaways all of last year. It already has seven (3 interceptions and 4 fumble recoveries) through four games this year.
• This season marked the first since 2020 (at USC 4 TOs; at Arizona 7 TOs) that the Sun Devils have forced three or more turnovers twice in a three-game span (3 vs. Wyoming, 3 at Texas State).
• ASU was one of just five teams in the country with a fumble recovery in each of its first three games. ASU has four fumble recoveries already this season after having just four total a season ago. 
• ASU is one of just 12 teams to not lose a fumble this season. 
• ASU has recorded three defensive touchdowns this season, the most in the FBS
• Taking out ASU's COVID-19 shortened 2020 season, the Sun Devils had a streak of at least one pick six in 23 consecutive seasons (2000-2022) come to a close last season - ending what was the longest streak in the FBS. 
• ASU immediately started a new streak with Zyrus Fiaseu's 29-yard return in the opener of 2024. ASU would also pick up a scoop-and-score from Justin Wodtly later in the contest on a 6-yard fumble return, giving ASU an interception AND fumble return for a touchdown in the same game for the first time since UCLA in 2008.
• ASU has outscored opponents 934-544 in points off takeaways since 2012 and 27-7 this season. 
• Since 2012, ASU has scored 64.0 percent of the time following an opponent turnover (160 of 250) while finding the end zone 115 times in that span (46.0 percent).
• Conversely, opponents have scored just 49.7 percent of the time following an ASU turnover since 2012 (97 of 195) with 69 touchdowns (35.4 percent).

WHO'S THE NEW GUY

• For the second consecutive season, there will be a slew of newcomers taking the field for the Sun Devils in the form of 60 new players this season - the ninth-highest tally in thie FBS.
• The Sun Devils have just three players in their final year of eligibility that started their careers at Arizona State (Trenton Bourguet, Caleb McCullough and Anthonie Cooper) - tied for the fourth-lowest tally in the FBS.
• ASU's 46 scholarship newcomers are tied for third most in the FBS while the teams 58 returning players are tied for the fifth-lowest tally in the FBS. Only 38 of those players are scholarship student-athletes, tied for the third-lowest mark in the FBS.
• The Sun Devils welcomed the 48th best freshman class in the country by 247Sports, good for the top half of the Big 12 at No. 7 in the league.
• The team's transfer portal haul was tabbed at No. 30 overall and No. 4 in the Big 12.
• Overall, with the two groups combined, ASU checks in with the No. 43 class in the country and No. 7 in the Big 12.
• It should be noted, however, that ASU's talent rating from 247Sports (which takes into account transfer's high school ratings) is ranked 30th in the nation and second in the Big 12.
• While both were on the Sun Devil roster last season, antiquated NCAA rules that were inevitably overturned kept Jake Smith and Xavion Alford out for the season. When the duo takes Frank Kush Field on Saturday night, it will have been 1,342 days for Smith (Dec 29, 2020 - Aug. 31, 2024) and 1,009 days for Alford (Nov. 27, 2021 - Aug. 31, 2024) since either player has appeared in a college football game.
• Ben Coleman was another newcomer last season that was forced to miss the year with an injury and will be taking the field for the first time in 646 days (Nov. 25,  2022-Aug. 31, 2024) on Saturday.

MOUNTAIN AMERICA STADIUM, HOME OF THE ASU SUN DEVILS

• Arizona State University and Sun Devil Athletics have announced a multi-year naming rights partnership last season 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: 

• Xavion Alford - Graduated SP24 Liberal Studies BA
• Emmit Bohle - Graduated SP23 Liberal Studies BA
• Coben Bourguet - Graduated SP24 Engineering Management BSE, working on Industrial Engineering MS)
• Trenton Bourguet - Graduated FA22 Communication BS
• Cade Briggs - Graduated SP23 University Studies BA (Texas Tech, Homeland Security Graduate Certificate (ASU)
• DeCarlos Brooks - Graduated SU24 Liberal Studies BA
• Jeff Clark - Graduated SP24 (Louisville)
• Ben Coleman - Graduated FA22 Media Studies (Cal), Earned Master's at ASU in SP24 Communications, working on Digital Audience Strategy MS
• Anthonie Cooper - Graduated FA22 Interdisciplinary Studies
• Prince Dorbah - Graduated SU24 Communication BS
• Leif Fautanu - Graduated FA23 Liberal Studies BA, working on Communications MA
• Xavier Guillory - Graduated SU24 Liberal Studies BA
• Caleb McCullough - Graduated SP24 Interdisciplinary Studies
• Troy Omeire - Graduated SU24 Liberal Studies BA
• Elijah O'Neal - Graduated SU24 Liberal Studies BA
• Shamari Simmons - Graduated FA23 Liberal Studies BA
• Jake Smith - Graduated FA23 Liberal Studies BA, working on Communications MA
• Melquan Stovall - Graduated FA22 Business Administration/Organization and Innovation Management BS, Earned master's at ASU SP24 – Organizational Leadership MS, Starting another master's – Global Security MA
• Parker Lewis – Graduated SP24 (Ohio State), working on W.P. Carey MBA
• Jeff Sims – Graduated SP24 (Nebraska)