Football Hits the Road For First Time in 2024

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THE GAME -  Sun Devil Football hits the road for the first time this season as it concludes its regular season non-conference slate against Texas State in a rare midseason Thursday contest on Sept. 12 at UFCU Stadium in San Marcos, Texas.. Scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. AZT kickoff (6:30 p.m. locally), the contest will be broadcast on ESPN (Matt Barrie, Dan Mullen, Harry Lyles Jr.) and available over the airwaves in Arizona on ESPN 620 AM (Tim Healey, Jeff Van Raaphorst, Kevin Turner, Jeff Munn).

ON THE BOBCATS -  This will be the first ever meeting between the Sun Devils and Bobcats and just the third contest in ASU program history against a team currently in the Sun Belt Conference (one win each against Lafayette in 2001 and Louisiana-Monroe in 2009). The matchup will pit the FBS' youngest and third-youngest non-interim head coaches against each other in ASU's Kenny Dillingham, 34 and Texas State's GJ Kinne, 35.  Both teams enter the contest with their respective conference's Offensive Player of the Week in the Big 12's Cam Skattebo and the Sun Belt's Jordan McCloud. McCloud and ASU's Sam Leavitt were two of seven quarterbacks in the FBS to rush for two touchdowns in Week Two. The Bobcats are 9-2 in their last 11 games played in the State of Texas over the last season-plus. The Bobcats are bringing in the nation's No. 25 scoring offense (21.5) and No. 26 total offense (495.).

KICKING OFF

• A midweek road non-conference game is an extreme rarity throughout Sun Devil Football history. In fact, the last time ASU played a non-season-opening, regular season Thursday game against a non-conference opponent was Nov. 20, 1941 when ASU took on Fresno State in Fresno, Calif. 
• There are only four teams in the FBS that are 2-0 against FBS competition and have scored at least 30 points while allowing less than 25 points in each game - Arizona State, Ohio State, Texas and Alabama.
• Cam Skattebo filled up the trophy case with his 33 carry, 262 yard Week Two effort, earning Doak Walker Player of the Week, AP National Player of the Week and Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors as he led the nation in scrimmage yards with 297 total.
• His 262 rushing yards were the most a non-SEC player has had against any SEC team since Missouri's (then in the Big 12) Tony Temple rushed for 281 yards against Arkansas in the 2008 Cotton Bowl. 
• ASU has now held opponents to less than 30 points in 43 of 69 games since 2018 (62.3 percent) - including both 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 38 occasions over 69 games (55.1 percent of the time) - including bother games this season. For comparison, ASU accomplished the feat just 24 times in the 65 previous games (36.9 percent) from 2013-2017. 
• ASU's quarterbacks have had an average time to throw of 2.71 seconds this season, good for 47th in the FBS after ranking 128th in the country a season ago at 2.48 seconds. Sam Leavitt has had less than 2.50 seconds to throw the ball on just 47.2 percent of his dropbacks this season, the 27th-lowest tally in the FBS. 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.

#10THINGS (Twitter-Friendly Notes)

1. ASU has been credited with just 10 missed tackles on defense, ranking as the 10th-fewest in the country this season.

2. Sam Leavitt is one of just 13 quarterbacks in the FBS who has not been credited with a turnover-worthy play by PFF this season.

3. The Sun Devils have allowed just one single  play over 30 yards this season, tied for 13th in the country. 

4. ASU's net +4.3 yards of starting field position this season are 39th nationally after ranking dead last in the category a year ago at -9.5.

5. Leif Fautanu has played 2,789 career snaps, the third-most snaps among active centers this season behind only NMSU's Canaan Yarro (2,958) and Texas' Jake Majors (2,826)

6. ASU's defense has held opponents under 100 rushing yards in eight of 14 games under Kenny Dillingham and Brian Ward. 

7.  The Sun Devil defense has allowed just a paltry 0.8 yards per third down to opponent offenses - the 2nd-lowest total in the country after allowing 5.3 per third down play a year ago (67th). 

8. ASU's rushers have earned 71.7 percent of their total yards AFTER contact in this season, the 33rd-best tally in the FBS.

9. ASU's quarterbacks have had an average time to throw of 2.71 seconds this season, good for 47th 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 8.7 percent of his career carries, good for the 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.

4 - ASU's average starting field position has been its own 30.6 yard line - the 41st-best in the nation - while holding opponents to a starting average of their own 26.3 yard line - the 44th-worst total in the country. 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. The net 4.3 yardage difference this season is good for 39th in the FBS. For perspective, ASU ranked dead last in the FBS last season with a -9.5 yard difference in starting field position. ASU has not had a single offensive drive start inside its own 20 this season, tied for first in the FBS.

3 - Leif Fautanu has played 2,789 career snaps, the third-most snaps among active players behind only NMSU's Canaan Yarro (2,958) and Texas' Jake Majors (2,826). He started all 12 games for the Sun Devils, playing all but one snap of the season (helmet came off) for the team at center (850). Leif Fautanu has yet to be credited with a QB pressure allowed this season, one of just 21 centers in the FBS to lay such a claim (min. 50 pass block snaps). His 82.2 pass-blocking grade is 23rd among FBS centers.  Fautanu was not credited with any pressures allowed in the opener against Wyoming. Fautanu has started 45 career games, all coming consecutively, in his career. 

1 - Running back Cam Skattebo 262 yards against Mississippi State were 54 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 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.

.8 - The Sun Devil defense has allowed opponents just a paltry 0.8 yards per third down this season - the 2nd-lowest total in the country after allowing 5.3 per third down play a year ago (67th). The Sun Devils are averaging 7.5 yards per third down play on offense, the 22nd-besttotal in the country after ranking 112th a year ago at 4.4 yards per  attempt. ASU ranked 120th in converting just 31.76% of its 3rd down attempts and 91st in allowing opponents to convert 40.99% of theirs last year. It has certainly showed immense improvement in the category in through the first two week as the team  has converted 43.33% of its opportunites (13-of-30) - 52nd in the FBS - while limiting opponents to just 25.00% of theirs (6-of-24) - 23rd-in the FBS.

0 - Sam Leavitt is one of just 13 quarterbacks in the FBS who has not been credited with a turnover-worthy play by PFF this season.Leavitt has shown his ability to keep his composure under pressure, with both his touchdown passes  this season coming while being pressured, giving him a tie for the nation's lead in under-pressure touchdown passes.  His 122.9 NFL QBR while under pressure is fourth in the nation. Leavitt has rushed for 70 yards this season on players with a QB pressure, the second most among quarterbacks in the FBS. He has picked up a first down or touchwon on 42.9 percent of those scrambles, good for fifth among FBS quarterbacks

AN ASU VICTORY WOULD...

• Give ASU a 3-0 start for the first time since 2019 and its first 3-0 start where all three opponents were FBS programs since 2007 (SJSU, CU, SDSU).
• Give the Sun Devils four wins in their last six games dating back to last season.
• Give Texas State just its third loss in its last 12 games played in the State of Texas dating back to last year (currently 9-2)

MILESTONE WATCH

• Running back Cam Skattebo is 8 rushing yards away from reaching 3,000 rushing yards in his career (currently at 2,992). He is 45 all-purpose yards away from reaching 4,000 all-purpose yards in his career (currently at 3,955).
• He is also 167 receiving yards away from reaching 1,000 receiving yards in his career (currently at 833)
• Skattebo is 2 games played away from appearing in 40 games in his career (currently at 38)
• Wide receiver Xavier Guillory is 375 receiving yards away from reaching 2,000 receiving yards in his career (currently at 1,625)
• Wide receiver Melquan Stovall is 86 receiving yards away from reaching 1,500 receiving yards in his career (currently at 1,414). Stovall is 3 games played away from appearing in 50 games in his career (currently at 47). He is nine catches away from reaching 150 for his career (currently at 141).
• Defensive lineman Jeff Clark is 4 tackles away from registering 100 tackles in his career (currently at 96). He is 1 sack away from registering 10 sacks in his career (currently at 9.0). Clark is 2 games played away from appearing in 40 games in his career (currently at 38).
• Linebacker Caleb McCullough is 7 games played away from appearing in 40 games in his career, all in an ASU uniform (currently at 33)
• Linebacker Keyshaun Elliott reached 150 tackles with his five tackle performance.
•  Defensive back Shamari Simmons is 12 tackles away from registering 200 tackles in his career (currently at 188).
• Simmons needs 2 more pass defenses to reach 30 passes defended in his career (currently at 28)
• Defensive back Myles Rowser is 18 tackles away from registering 150 tackles in his career (currently at 132)

HOT OUT THE GATES

• There are only four teams in the FBS that are 2-0 against FBS competition and have scored at least 30 points while allowing less than 25 points in each game - Arizona State, Ohio State, Texas and Alabama.
• Arizona State has rushed for 587 yards in its first two games (241 vs. Wyoming, 346 vs. Mississippi State). It is the most in a two-game stretch for the Sun Devils since the final two games of 2020 (at Arizona, at Oregon State) when the team had 634 combined rushing yards 
• The 346 rushing yards against Mississippi State were the eighth-most by the program since 1996. It was the most rushing yards Mississippi State has allowed since triple option Georgia Tech ran for 452 yards in the Orange Bowl 12/13/14.
• The victory over Mississippi State was the first win over an SEC team in ASU's program history. ASU adds this victory to its three wins over Missouri and one over Oklahoma, but neither school was in the SEC at the time of those victories.
• The victory also gives ASU a 2-0 start to the season where BOTH victories were over FBS schools for the first time since 2018 (UTSA/Michigan St.) and gives ASU three wins over its last five games dating back to last season.
• The win also ended Mississippi State' 10-game winning streak in non-conference games, dating back to Sept. 3, 2022.
• ASU has allowed only 64 rushing yards combined in the first two games. It is the fewest during a two-game span since it allowed -3 yards combined in wins over Washington (10/19/13) and Washington State (10/31/13).
• The Sun Devils have three defensive touchdowns through two games. It is the first time they've had three scores on defense in a two-game span since Notre Dame (2 INT TD) and Oregon State (1 FR TD) on Nov. 8, 2014 & Nov. 15, 2014.
• Arizona State allowed 118 yards to Wyoming and 292 yards to Mississippi State. It is the first time it has held consecutive opponents to under 300 yards of offense since the 2021 Las Vegas Bowl against Wisconsin and the 2022 season opening win over NAU.
• Mississippi State put up 56 points in Week One, but were held to 23 this week against the Sun Devils. The Bulldogs' first-year head coach Jeff Lebby was previously the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma where his unit averaged 41.4 points per game during the 2023-24 season.
• Opening the season with back-to-back turnover-free games is the first time ASU has had zero turnovers in back-to-back games since doing so in wins over Arizona and Oregon State in 2020 (12/11-12/19).

WILD SKATT

• Running back Cam Skattebo had the game of his career against Mississippi State, rushing for a career high 262 yards on 33 carries in the 30-23 victory.
• 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.
• He now has 14 total 100+ rushing yard performances in his career, with four coming at Arizona State.

BOO SHIESTY

• Cam Skattebo (pronounced BOO) is 7th among all active FBS AND FCS running backs with 2,992 career rushing yards while his 6.5 yards per carry are tied for fifth in that group. (min. 300 carries). He is third in the FBS this season with 311 yards and 18th at 7.1 yards per carry.
• He has forced 170 career missed tackles on rushing plays, 4th among active FBS/FCS halfbacks while his 0.37 missed tackles forced per rushing attempt are tied for third (min. 300 attempts). He is 13th in the FBS this season wtih 11 missed tackles forced on rushing plays.
• Skattebo has rushed for a first down or touchdown on 38.4 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 50.0 percent of his rushes this year, good for third in the FBS.
• He has been stuffed for no gain or a loss on just 8.7 percent of his career carries, good for the lowest tally among all active backs at both levels (min. 300 attempts). His 6.8 percent stuff rate this season is 14th in the FBS.
• He is currently averaging 3.9 yards after contact per career rush - tied for seventh among all active FBS/FCS backs. His 4.6 yards after contact per rush this season are 12th in the FBS and his 203 total yards after contact are third. 
• 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

WHEN THE LEAVITT BREAKS

• Sam Leavitt is one of just 13 quarterbacks in the FBS who has not been credited with a turnover-worthy play by PFF this season.
• Leavitt has shown his ability to keep his composure under pressure, with both his touchdown passes  this season coming while being pressured, giving him a tie for the nation's lead in under-pressure touchdown passes.  
• His 122.9 NFL QBR while under pressure is fourth in the nation.
• Leavitt's pressure to sack percentage of 16.7 (18 pressures, 3 sacks) is the 39th lowest in the FBS.. 
• Leavitt has rushed for 70 yards this season on players with a QB pressure, the second most among quarterbacks in the FBS. His 115 rushing yards total are 16th among FBS quarterbacks.
• He has picked up a first down or touchwon on 42.9 percent of those scrambles, good for fifth among FBS quarterbacks. He his 1D/TD% of 36.8 percent overall is 24th in the FBS.
• Leavitt has the nation's third-best rushing grade when under pressure this season at 76.4. His 73.5 overall rushing grade is 14th 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 68 games - tied for third-fewest in the FBS in that time behind only Washington (16) and Kentucky (17). 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 fifth-lowest amount in the FBS in that time.
• ASU has allowed just 22 total plays over 30 yards last season, tied for 35th in the FBS. It has allowed just one single such play this season, tied for 13th in the country. 
• Since 2018, ASU has allowed just 103 TOTAL 30-plus yard plays (1.5 per game/69 games)). That is the fourth-lowest tally in the FBS in that time (Kennesaw State excluded as it 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.
• While the sample size is small, the Sun Devils certainly showed immense improvement in the category in through the first two week as the team  has converted 43.33 percent of its opportunites (13-of-30) - the 52nd-best tally in the FBS - while limiting opponents to just 25.00 percent of theirs (6-of-24) - 23rd-best in the FBS.
• The team has been elite at converting its short-yardage situations picking of a first down on 3rd- or 4th-and-3 or less on 81.8 percent of its chances (9 of 11) - good for 25th nationally.
• The Sun Devils are averaging 7.5 yards per third down play on offense, the 22nd-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 0.8 yards per third down to opponent offenses - the 2nd-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 not had a single offensive drive start inside its own 20 this season, tied for first in the FBS.
• ASU's average starting field position has been its own 30.6 yard line - the 41st-best in the nation - while holding opponents to a starting average of their own 26.3 yard line - the 44th-worst total in the country. 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.
• The net 4.3 yardage difference this season is good for 39th in the FBS. For perspective, ASU ranked dead last in the FBS last season with a -9.5 yard difference in starting field position. 
• Kickoff specialist Parker Lewis is fourth in the country with 14 touchbacks (of 15 kickoffs) this season and his 64.9 yards per kickoff is 10th.
• Kicker Ian Hershey is fourth in the country with five field goals made this season (6 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.
• The longest kickoff return by an ASU opponent 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. 
• This season, ASU is allowing just 173.0 passing yards per game, good for 53rd in the country. ASU held Wyoming to just 78 passing yards on 10-of-20 passing with two interceptions to just one touchdown.
• ASU had a team coverage score of 84.5 according to PFF for the Opener, good for 20th in the nation. Wyoming had an open target just 50 percent of the time in the game, tied for the 33rd-lowest tally in the FBS in Week One. ASU allowed just one passing play over 15 yards (coming against its fourth string defense late in the game), good for the 6th lowest total in the FBS after the first week of action. 
• The secondary has allowed just five completions for 27 yards on third downs this season while allowing just two first downs - all three categories rankings in the Top-10 nationally. 
• Opponents have just a 40.2 NFL QBR rating on third downs against ASU this season. The group ranked 113th nationally a season ago in allowong opponents a 96.1 NFL QBR on third down passing
• ASU has allowed just 5.5 yards after the catch per completion since 2020 - the 40th-lowest tally in the FBS. 
• ASU has given up just 2.03 yards after contact per reception - the 19th-lowest tally in the FBS.
• ASU has allowed just 64 passing touchdowns since the start of 2020 - tied for the 20th-fewest in the FBS. The team has allowed a touchdown on just 4.5 percent of passes thrown against it in that time (64/1417) - the 41st-lowest tally in the FBS.
• The secondary has contested a target on 16.6 percent of passing plays since the start of 2020 - good for 40th in the FBS in that time.
• Opponents have an NFL quarterback rating of just 86.2 since the start of 2020 - the 49th-lowest mark in the FBS. 
• Since 2020, the 6.96 opponent passing yards per attempt allowed are 42nd in the FBS.
• Since 2018, the Sun Devil secondary has allowed just 35 total passing plays over 40 yards - the third-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 fourth-highest graded edge defender in the country on defense (79.4) and No. 44 in the FBS.
• Elijhah O'Neal is the fifth highest graded edge defender in the Big 12 as a pass rusher (75.9) and 49th in the FBS.
• ASU leads the Big 12 in sack percentage (pass rush snaps/sacks) at 11.7 percentm a tally good for 12th in the FBS. This comes despite blitzing only 31.7 percent of the time, the 47th-lowest average in the country.
• A year ago, C.J. 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 it looks to be one of the more improved lines in the country based on early returns.
• After ranking 80th in offensive line pressures allowed last season, the group has shown a noticeable improvement to 50th through two games this season (11).
• ASU's quarterbacks have had an average time to throw of 2.71 seconds this season, good for 47th in the FBS after ranking 128th in the country a season ago at 2.48 seconds.
• Sam Leavitt has had less than 2.50 seconds to thow the ball on just 47.2 percent of his dropbacks this season, the 27th-lowest tally in the FBS. 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.
• Leif Fautanu has yet to be credited with a QB pressure allowed this season, one of just 21 centers in the FBS to lay such a claim (min. 50 pass block snaps). His 82.2 pass-blocking grade is 23rd among FBS centers. 
• Fautanu has played 2,789 snaps in his career, third-most among FBS centers behind only NMSU's Canaan Yarro (2,958) and Texas' Jake Majors (2,826) and has started 45 consecutive games in his career.
• Max Iheanachor is currently the fifth-highest graded tackle in the Big 12 and 19th among all offensive players in the league with his 79.2 overall offense score - also good for 28th among FBS tackles. Iheanachor is the 17th in the nation as a run blocker (77.2) among tackles and 36th among all offensive lineman (min. 50 run block snaps).
• 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 410 yards of offense to opponents this season, a 205.0 yard per game tally that is 13th nationally. Opponents are averaging just 3.83 yards per play - 22nd 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.
• In the first three quarters of games, ASU is allowing just 2.8 yards per play - the fourth-best tally in the FBS. It has allowed just two offensive scores through those six quarters, tied for the seventh best total in the country.
• ASU has been credited with just 10 missed tackles on defense, ranking as the 10th-fewest in the country this season. 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 38 occasions over 69 games (55.1 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 one for one in that category this year: Mississippi State (23/56.0).
• On opponent drives starting within 60 yards of the ASU end zone, the Sun Devils allowed a touchdown just 32.3 percent of the time (10/31), 40th in the FBS and and 11th of the 53 teams with over 25 such drives faced.
• On 54 opponent red zone drives last season, ASU allowed just 29 touchdowns - a 53.7 percent touchdown conversion rate that was was 30th-lowest in the FBS despite facing 146 red zone plays - the 17th-highest tally in the FBS.

GOLD RUSH

• The Sun Devils rank seventh nationally and second in the Big 12 in averaging 293.5 rushing yards per game this year. The team's 80.5 rushing grade from PFF is 27th nationally.
• The team has been stuffed on just 13.7 percent of its rushes this year, the 35th-lowest total in the FBS. The group is averaging a first down or touchdown 35.9 percent of the time, good for 22nd nationally.
• The rushing attack has been especially efficient with ASU earning 71.7 percent of its total yards AFTER contact in the opener, the 33rd-best tally nationally. The group's 4.2 yards after contact per rush are 14th 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 (71) and Xavier Guillory (66) ranked fifth and seventh among all FBS receivers in wide receiver run block snaps.
• The Sun Devils ranked 18th in the FBS in averaging 0.26 missed tackles forced per running play last season. The team was stuffed at or behind the line of scrimmage just 17.2 percent of the time, 28th in the FBS.
• Despite playing significantly fewer games than the teams ahead of it, ASU's 90 rushing touchdowns since the beginning of 2020 are 46th among all FBS teams. ASU has accomplished the feat in 42 games, where none of the teams ranked ahead of ASU have fewer than 47 games over the last four-plus seasons. 
• ASU has received a team rushing grade of 95.5 from PFF since the 2020 season, the 34th-highest tally in the FBS.
• Since 2020, ASU has been stuffed at or behind the line of scrimmage on just 17.8 percent of its rushes - good for the 26th-lowest tally in the FBS. The team has averaged 3.2 yards after contact per rush in that time - tied for 25th in the FBS.
• Since 2020, ASU has picked up a first down or touchdown on 30.5 percent of its rushes - 18th-most in the FBS. The team is averaging 5.4 yards per rush in that time, tied for 27th in the FBS.
• Since 2018, ASU has rushed for 100+ yards in 51 of 68 games (75.0 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 32.0 rushing yards per game, the second 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 14 games under Kenny Dillingham and Brian Ward has ASU held an opponent under 100 rushing yards in a game, including both games this season.
• ASU and Ole Miss are the only two teams in the country to allow less than 40 rushing yards in each game they've played this year.
• Keyshaun Elliott is ninth among Big 12 linebackers with a stop percentage of 13..5 percent on run plays this year, and has not been credited with a missed tackle on a rushing play yet. 
• Myles Rowswer has the 40th-highest run-blocking grade among safeties in the FBS at 77.6
• 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. 
• ASU's safeties and corners received a 76.7 overall run defense grade in Week One against Wyoming, good for 33rd nationally.

A HAND IN THE COOKIE JAR

• ASU has recorded three defensive touchdowns this season, the most in the FBS (two fumble returns and one pick six).
• The Sun Devils have 23 pick sixes since the 2012 season, a tally good for Top-10 in the FBS after picking up one on the second play of the season against Wyoming. 
• Arizona State is one of 14 teams with 2 or more fumble recoveries without a lost fumble.
• Arizona State is 1 of only 6 teams to have forced 4 or more turnovers on defense without an offensive turnover.
• 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 931-537 in points off takeaways since 2012. 
• Since 2012, ASU has scored 64.4 percent of the time following an opponent turnover (159 of 247) while finding the end zone 115 times in that span (46.6 percent).
• Conversely, opponents have scored just 49.7 percent of the time following an ASU turnover since 2012 (96 of 193) with 68 touchdowns (35.2 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)