Football looks to stay in Big 12 race with Homecoming tilt vs. Mountaineers

TEMPE - Sun Devil Football will host its annual Homecoming contest and stay in the hunt for the Big 12 Championship game this Saturday, Nov. 15 as it welcomes the West Virginia Mountaineers to Mountain America Stadium. Scheduled for an 11 a.m. AZT kickoff, the contest will be broadcast nationally on TNT-HBO Max (J.B. Long, Mike Golic Jr., Coy Wire). The game will also be available over the local airwaves in Arizona on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM (Tim Healey, Jeff Van Raaphorst, Kevin Turner, Jeff Munn).  It should be noted there is inclement weather expected in the Valley throughout the weekend and fans should periodically check the ASU social accounts for any schedule updates.

ON THE MOUNTAINEERS/EARLY KICKOFFS/HOMECOMING

• The series between the two programs in netted at 1-1, with Sun Devil fans likely eager to forget the last meeting in the 2015 Motel 6 Cactus Bowl - a game where West Virginia rolled up 676 total yards of offense in a 43-42 victory that led to a 6-7 finish for Arizona State for the season. The two teams had not played prior to that since 1979.
• West Virginia has surpassed at least 140 rushing yards in 40 of the last 48 games (83.3 percent since 2022), notable as ASU has held opponents to 140 or fewer yards in 24 of 35 games (68.6 percent) in the Kenny Dillingham era.
• West Virginia (15) and Arizona State (14) enter the contest with the Big 12’s longest active streaks of games won when leading at halftime.
• The 11 a.m. AZT kickoff (weather permitting) will be ASU’s earliest AT HOME since Nov. 22, 2014 - a 52-31 victory over Washington State that also kicked at 11 a.m. It will be just the second Sun Devil game to kickoff prior to Noon AT HOME since at least the 2002 season alongside that WSU tilt.
• The Sun Devils are seeking their third-straight Homecoming victory - improving Kenny Dillingham to 3-0 in such games - after defeating Washington State in 2023 and BYU last season. ASU has not won three consecutive Homecoming contests since 2013-15.
• Overall, ASU is 67-23-4 in Homecoming games throughout history.

KICKING OFF

• ASU now has 35 fourth down conversions since the start of last year, resulting in 20 touchdowns and four field goals on drives that included one of them. ASU’s 53 fourth-down conversions since 2023 when Kenny Dillingham took the reins are the eighth-most in the FBS.
• The Sun Devils have five fourth down conversions in the fourth quarter of one-score games this season - tied for the third-most in the FBS. The team’s 11 third OR fourth down conversions in the fourth quarter of one-score games is 10th in the FBS.
• Under Kenny Dillingham, ASU have 14 games eclipsing 200 rushing yards, going 11-3 in those.
• ASU is 10-1 when leading after the first quarter under Kenny Dillingham and has won 14 straight games when leading at halftime, the second-longest active streak among current Big 12 teams (West Virginia, 15).
• ASU has won nine games in the last two seasons in contests decided by seven or fewer points, which is tied for the most in the FBS in that that with Arkansas State. ASU has an 9-1 record in such games.
• Abney’s 329 snaps in coverage without allowing a touchdown are the fourth-most in the country among corners without giving up a score. Out of 155 FBS corners with at least 250 coverage snaps played, only 25 have not been credited directly with a touchdown allowed - two of which are Abney and Kyndrich Breedlove of ASU, which joins Indiana as the only other school with multiple players in that exclusive group.
• ASU’s 806 rushing yards amongst quarterbacks (excluding sacks) is ninth-most among all FBS teams. The Sun Devils are the only FBS team outside Navy (and its triple option offense) to have two quarterbacks with 300+ net yards of rushing.

#10THINGS (Twitter-Friendly Notes)

1. The Sun Devils’ have forced 90 missed tackles on running plays this season, good for 15th-best in the FBS.
2. Jeff Sims is averaging 4.2 yards after contact per rush, seventh-best among FBS quarterbacks. 66.3 percent of his non-sack yardage this season has come after contact, 19th best in the FBS and his .25 missed tackles forced per attempt are 20th.
3. ASU ranks 21st in sacks (24) and 37th in tackles for loss (58) despite blitzing just 20.4 percent of the time this year - the third-lowest tally in the FBS.
4. Of 155 FBS corners with at least 250 coverage snaps played, only 25 have not been credited directly with a touchdown allowed - two of which are Keith Abney and Kyndrich Breedlove of ASU, which joins Indiana as the only other school with multiple players.
5. Arizona State is one of two FBS teams this season to allow six or fewer points off turnovers for the year (Connecticut).
6. ASU has allowed just four touchdown drives in the final five minutes of the first half dating back to 2024 and held opponents to a 10.3 (4-for-39) touchdown drive percentage in that stretch that is seventh-best in the nation.
7. Sun Devil linebackers have recorded 23 defensive stops in coverage, tied for 25th among LB corps in the FBS. Despite there only ever being two linebackers on the field at a given time, ASU’s 47 tackles on pass plays are 34th among LB groups nationally.
8. West Virginia has surpassed at least 140 rushing yards in 40 of the last 48 games (83.3 percent since 2022), notable as ASU has held opponents to 140 or fewer yards in 24 of 35 games (68.6 percent) in the Kenny Dillingham era.
9. The Sun Devils are 9-1 in games of seven points or less in the last two seasons, going 5-0 in such games last year and 4-1 thus far this season. Those 9 wins are tied for the most in the country in that time.
10. Rodney Bimage has allowed just .22 yards per coverage snap this season, the second-lowest total among FBS corners (min. 100 coverage snaps), He’s also second at 1.8 yards allowed per coverage snap and with a 7.7 1D/TD percentage when targeted.

BY THE NUMBERS

61 - ASU has held opponents to 30 points or less in 61 of 90 games since 2018 (67.8 percent). That total is notable as it DID allow 30+ in 32 of the 43 previous games (74.4 percent) in a span from 2013- 17. ASU has accomplished this 27 times in 35 games under Kenny Dillingham and Brian Ward. Since 2018, ASU has held opponents to the 400 or less mark for total offensive yards on 54 occasions over 90 games (60.0 percent of the time). For comparison, ASU accomplished the feat just 24 times in the 65 previous games (36.9 percent) from 2013-2017. The team has accomplished the feat 25 times in 35 games under Kenny Dillingham and Brian Ward.

34 - Overall, opponents are managing just a 34.4 percent conversion rate on third downs against the ASU defense this season - the 32nd-lowest mark in the country. That current rate is the lowest since ASU posted a 33.5 percent mark on third down defense in 2010 and is the ninth-best overall tally for a Sun Devil defense since the 1996 season. The Sun Devils held Iowa State to 2-of-14 (14.3%) on third down, their lowest conversion percentage of the season. It is the best third down defense by ASU since the season opener when they held NAU to 2-of-15 on third down. Since 2010, the 14.3% was tied for Iowa State’s third-worst conversion rate in a single game.This season the first time ASU has held two opponents for two or fewer third down conversions on ten or more attempts since 2010.

14 - The Sun Devils have a 31.8 percent (14-of-44) offensive touchdown drive rate in the final five minutes of the first half dating back to the start of last season, the 23rd-best percentage in the nation (does not include pick six against UCF last year, which makes it 15 total touchdowns). The 14 offensive touchdowns are 11th-most in the FBS in that time. For perspective, in the previous five seasons (2019-23), ASU scored just 17 TOTAL touchdowns in the final five minutes of the first half - at a 17.7 rate (17-of-96) that was 112th in the FBS. Conversely, ASU has allowed just four touchdown drives in the final five minutes of the first half dating back to 2024 and held opponents to a 10.3 (4-for-39) touchdown drive percentage in that stretch that is seventh-best in the nation.

14 - Arizona State has won 14 straight games when leading at halftime, the second-longest active streak among current Big 12 teams behind only this week’s opponent, West Virginia, which comes in riding 15 straight wins in such games. The Sun Devils are 10-1 in the Kenny Dillingham era when leading after the first quarter. The Sun Devils have won six games in the past two seasons in which they were trailing or tied at some point in the fourth quarter - including its last three of its last four victories (Baylor, TCU, Texas Tech). The Sun Devils are 9-1 in games of seven points or less in the last two seasons, going 5-0 in such games last year and 4-1 thus far this season. Those 9 wins are tied for the most  in the FBS in that time (Arkansas State also has nine).

1 - Jeff Sims became the first Big 12  player to have 200 rushing yards and 175 passing yards in a single game since Vince Young in the 2006 Rose Bowl vs. USC following his school record (for a quarterback) 228-yard rushing effort against Iowa State.   He is one of just 24 quarterbacks, total, to accomplish the feat since the 1996 season.He became just the 40th FBS quarterback since 1996 to rush for 225 or more yards in a game. Of those 40, 16 were quarterbacks operating a triple option offense. Of those 40, only 13 occurrences occurred on the road (5 triple option offenses). Only seven of those road instances also happened against an FBS teams.Sims’ 88-yard touchdown run was tied for the 16th-longest for a quarterback since 1996. It was tied for the fifth-longest against a power five school (at the time of the contest).

0 - Keith Abney’s 329 snaps in coverage without allowing a touchdown are the fourth-most in the country among corners without giving up a score. Only 17.0 percent of completions against Abney have resulted in a first down or touchdown - the fourth-lowest total among FBS corners. His longest reception allowed this year is 23 yards - the ninth-lowest total among FBS corners. He has been credited with just five completions allowed over 15 yards this season, tied for 36th-lowest total natonally.The sure-handed tackler has allowed just 42 yards after the catch this year, the 11th-lowest tally among all FBS corners (min. 250 snaps in coverage).

AN ASU VICTORY WOULD...

• Improve ASU to 3-0 in Homecoming games under Kenny Dillingham.
• Give ASU consecutive seven win seasons for the first time since 2017-19.
• Keep the Sun Devils within at least a game back in the loss column of the top three teams in the Big 12 (TTU, BYU, CIN all with one Big 12 loss).
• Improve ASU to 3-0 in games played on TNT-HBO Max this season.
• Move the Sun Devils to 5-2 in program history against Rich Rodriguez.

MILESTONE WATCH

• Wide receiver Jordyn Tyson is 301 receiving yards away from 2,500 career receiving yards (currently at 2,199). Tyson is three touchdown receptions away from 25 career TD catches (currently at 22). Tyson is one total touchdown shy of 25 career total touchdowns (currently at 24; 1 rushing, 1 punt return, 22 receiving).
• Linebacker Keyshaun Elliott is one game played away from 50 career games played (currently at 49).
• Defensive back Myles Rowser is two games played away from 50 career games played (currently at 48). Rowser is also 28 tackles away from 300 career tackle.
• Defensive lineman Prince Dorbah is two sacks away from 15 career sacks (currently at 13.0). Dorbah is 3.5 tackles for loss away from 25 career TFLs (currently at 21.5).
• Quarterback Sam Leavitt is four total touchdowns away from 50 career total touchdowns (currently at 46 = 36 passing; 10 rushing).
  
  MAKING THE GRADE (NOTABLE PFF GRADES)
• Chamon Metayer posted the nation’s No. 6 receiving grade among tight ends in Week 10 at 85.8 - his second consecutive game with a Top-10 tight end. It was the No. 14 receiving grade for any player in the FBS, regardless of position.
• Keyshaun Elliott’s 84.7 tackling grade for Week 10 was the 26th-best tally in the FBS and No. 10 among all linebackers. He also had an 83.7 grade on run defense, good for 22nd among all FBS players and 13th among linebackers.
• Keith Abney (90.5) and Javan Robinson (90.3) have the nation’s No. 8 and No. 11 tackling grades among all FBS defenders and the first and third-highest grades among all FBS corners.
• Max Iheanachor is the nation’s 19th-highest graded tackle as a pass blocker this season with his mark of 78.9.
• Keith Abney is the FBS’s No. 22-highest graded corner on overall defense (80.5) and No. 30 in coverage (78.9).
• Raleek Brown is the Big 12’s highest graded running back on overall offense (78.6) and eighth among all FBS running backs.
• Jordan Crook ranks 28th among all FBS linebackers with his 78.4 grade on overall defense for the season.

LAST TIME OUT - IOWA STATE

• Sun Devil Football became bowl eligible behind a gritty road victory in less than ideal conditions at Iowa State, defeating the Cyclones 24-19 behind by backup quarterback Jeff Sims’ heroic school record setting 228 rushing yards for a quarterback.
• Sims became the first Big 12 player to have 200 rushing yards and 175 passing yards since Vince Young in the 2006 Rose Bowl vs. USC.
• The victory kept ASU from losing back-to-back games for the first time since the end of the 2023 season. It handed Iowa State just its third loss at Jack Trice Stadium since the start of last season and marked the first time the Cyclones lost consecutive games in Ames in consecutive weeks since Oct. 29 and Nov. 3, 2016 against Kansas State and Oklahoma.
• Iowa State scored only three points in the second half, the fewest by an ASU opponent since they shutout Cincinnati in the second half of the 2024 contest.
• With a fourth quarter zero, it was the first time the Sun Devils had shut out back-to-back opponents in the fourth quarter since the UCLA and Stanford matchups in 2021.
• The Sun Devils rushed for 290 yards against the Cyclones, the most Iowa State had allowed all season. It is just the second time Iowa State has allowed 200+ yards on the ground. Iowa State had held seven of its eight opponents to under 160 yards rushing.
• Combining this year’s contest and the meeting in the Big 12 Championship, ASU has 85 carries for 535 yards and five touchdowns on the ground over the past two games against Iowa State.
• The Sun Devils held Iowa State to 2-of-14 (14.3%) on third down, their lowest conversion percentage of the season. Since 2010, the 14.3% was tied for Iowa State’s third-worst conversion rate in a single game.
• Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht came into the game completing 63.7% of his passes (151-of-237). Arizona State held him to just a 50% completion rate (18-of-36) while also picking him off.
• Becht was averaging 241.6 passing yards coming into the game and had eclipsed 200 yards in six of his eight games. ASU held him to just 186 passing yards.
• In two games against ASU, Becht has just a 53.5 completion percentage (38-71) with three touchdowns and two interceptions and 400 total passing yards (200.0 per game). AS a starter NOT playing ASU, Becht is averaging 245 yards per game and a 64.8 completion percentage.
  
  SIX DEGREES OF SUN DEVIL-ATION
• ASU long snapper Cade Davis played alongside West Virginia WR Jaden Bray at Oklahoma State in 2021.
• West Virginia safety Justin Harrington and ASU Clayton Smith played at Oklahoma from 2021-22.
• ASU assistant coach Saga Tuitele was an offensive line and run game coordinator at Fresno State when West Virginia QB Jaylen Henderson spent his freshman and redshirt year there from 2021-22
• West Virginia WR Jaff Weimer went to UNLV under offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo in 2022
• ASU kicker Jesus Gomez and West Virginia OL Carson Lee went to Eastern Michigan from 2022-24
• ASU defensive linemen Zac Swanson and Prince Dorbah both played at Texas in 2022 alongside West Virginia offensive lineman Malik Agbo. Swanson and Agbo remained teammates at Texas through 2023.
• West Virginia TE Greg Genross and ASU Akim Lanieux WR went to Dodge City CC from 2022-23
• ASU WR Jordyn Tyson and West Virginia DL Devin Grant played together in 2022 at Colorado.
• ASU assistant head coach Charlie Ragle and West Virginia coach Jeff Casteel coached at Arizona 2012-16.
• West Virginia tight ends coach was part of Ole Miss staff when ASU CB Kyndrich Breedlove played from 2021-22
• West Virginia running backs coach Larry Porter coached at ASU in 2012
  
  VETERAN PRESENCE
• The Sun Devils return 16 players in 2025 that started at least six games a year ago. The 16 returning starters were tied for the most among all FBS teams heading into this season. The total is notable as the Sun Devils had the second-most newcomers on the roster in the FBS (78) in 2022 and the ninth-most in 2023 (60). Arizona State had just 17 returning starters COMBINED entering the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
• Eight Sun Devils started all 14 games last year, and seven of them return. C.J. Fite, Josh Atkins, Ben Coleman, Max Iheanachor, Javan Robinson, Myles “Ghost” Rowser and Keith Abney II were 14-game starters. Center and second-team Walter Camp All-American Leif Fautanu is the only 14-game starter who doesn’t return in 2025.
• Unfortunately, the injury bug has plagued many of the team’s returners with five members of ASU’s Pat Tillman Leadership committee being sidelined with long-term injuries - including four members of the six-person crew that the Sun Devils brought to Big 12 Media Days with them earlier this year (Leavitt, Tyson, Coleman, Alford)
• The Sun Devils have 23 players in their final year of eligibility, the 20th-highest tally among all FBS schools this season.
• The Sun Devil offensive line entered the 2025 season with 134 starts to its collective credit across the FBS/FCS level, good for the 12th-highest total in the nation coming into the year.
• Arizona State has six returnees from the 2024 All Big 12 Team returning next year, led by wide receiver and first team honoree Jordyn Tyson (Offensive Newcomer of the Year), second team honoree Sam Leavitt (Offensive Freshman of the Year), defensive back Xavion Alford (first), tight end Chamon Metayer (second), defensive lineman C.J. Fite (second) and linebacker Keyshaun Elliott (second).
  
  LIVING IN A SIMS-ULATION
• Jeff Sims’ 228 rushing yards at Iowa State were the most for an ASU quarterback in a single game in program history, topping Mark Malone’s 1978 previous school record of 139 yards against USC.
• His effort earned him AP National Player of the Week honors as well as Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week recognition.
• Sims 6.3 yards per rush (on non-sack plays) this season are 16th among FBS quarterbacks (min. 50 carries). Only 18.4 percent of his rushes have been regarded as a “stuff”, 16th-fewest among FBS QBs.
• Sims is averaging 4.2 yards after contact per rushing attempt, tied for seventh-best among FBS quarterbacks. 66.3 percent of his non-sack yardage this season has come after contact, 19th best in the FBS. His .25 missed tackles forced per attempt is 20th among those players.
• The Iowa State contest was just the seventh 100-yard rushing game for an ASU quarterback in program history. Notably, the six previous instances came in Sun Devil home games played in Tempe.
• Sims’ 88-yard touchdown run was the second-longest rush for an ASU quarterback in program history behind Malone’s 97-yard rush against Utah State in 1979.
• It was the longest run for a Sun Devil since Rachaad White’s 93-yard touchdown run at Arizona in 2020.
• Sims’ previous career high for rushing yards was 128 while at Nebraska against Minnesota in 2023.
• He became just the 40th FBS quarterback since 1996 to rush for 225 or more yards in a game. Of those 40, 16 were quarterbacks operating a triple option offense. Of those 40, only 13 occurrences occurred on the road (5 triple option offenses). Only seven of those road instances also happened against a FBS teams,
• Sims’ 88-yard touchdown run was tied for the 16th-longest for a quarterback since 1996. It was tied for the fifth-longest against a power five school (at the time of the contest).
• The 228 rushing yards by Sims are the 8th most in program history regardless of position, as he joins an exclusive list of some of the program’s legendary players. He is just the sixth player in program history to go over 220 yards on 30 carries or less. It is the 23rd 200-yard rushing performance in program history.
• Sims won his first game as a starting quarterback since defeating Duke in overtime on Oct. 8, 2022.
  
  SPRUNG A LEEK
• Raleek Brown has had the opportunity to show Sun Devil fans how electric he can be while healthy this season, currently third the Big 12 and 30th nationally with 85.6 rushing yards per game and 28th in the FBS with 770 total yards on the ground.
• Brown is the FBS’ 26th-highest graded running back on rushing plays this season (85.1) and the third-highest graded back in the Big 12. His 78.6 overall offensive grade is eighth among all FBS running backs and tops among Big 12 backs.
• His 5.62 yards per carry are third in league and his 111.44 all-purpose yards per game are 22nd in the FBS and second in the conference.
• The elusive back has forced 43 missed tackles on the year on run plays, the 13th-most among FBS backs
• His 24 runs of 10 or more yards this season are tied for 11th among FBS players.
• Brown’s 41 targets this season are third among FBS running backs while his 29 receptions are 11th. His 321 yards after the catch (including yards out of the backfield) are fifth among backs.
• Brown’s 12.0 yards per carry (144 yards on 12 carries) against Texas State were the fourth-most for an ASU running back that has cleared 125 rushing yards since the 1996 season. He is the only player in that time to reach 140 rushing yards on 12 or fewer carries.
• His 75-yard touchdown run was the longest run AND touchdown run for an ASU player AT HOME since Kalen Ballage vs. Texas Tech in 2016.

CHAMON-ENAL

• Chamon Metayer has 14 catches for 189 yards with two touchdowns in the last three games alone. In the first six, he had just 12 catches for 160 yards and one touchdown.
• Metayer is 11th among FBS tight ends with 19 receiving first downs this season and his three touchdown receptions are tied for 20th.
• His 349 yards are 24th among FBS tight ends and his 202 yards after the catch are 12th among FBS tight ends. His six missed tackles forced are also 12th.
• He is only the third Sun Devil tight end since 1996 to have two seasons with 30 or more catches. He is joined by Jalin Conyers, Zach Miller (3x), and Todd Heap on the list.
• Metayer now has eight touchdowns at Arizona State, which ties him with Kendrick Bates for the fifth-most by an ASU tight end since 1996.
  
  FINISH THEM
• Arizona State has won 14 straight games when leading at halftime, the second-longest active streak among current Big 12 teams (West Virginia, 15).
• The Sun Devils have won six games in the past two seasons in which they were trailing or tied at some point in the fourth quarter - including three of its last four (Baylor, TCU and Texas Tech)
• ASU has scored on 40.0 percent of its non-garbage time drives that have finished at any point in the final five minutes of the first or second halves this season (12-of-30). The 12 scoring drives are 17th-most in the FBS.
• Removing garbage time, ASU has a 40.0 score percentage in the final five minutes of a half (28-of-70) combined since the start of last season as well. The 28 scoring drives are 12th in the country. For perspective, in the previous three seasons from 2021-23, ASU managed just 28 TOTAL scoring drives in the final five minutes of a half (28-97) - a 28.9 percent score percentage that was 102nd in the FBS.
• The Sun Devils have a 31.8 percent (14-of-44) offensive touchdown drive rate in the final five minutes of the first half dating back to the start of last season, the 23rd-best percentage in the nation (does not include pick six against UCF last year, which makes it 15 total touchdowns). The 14 offensive touchdowns are 11th-most in the FBS in that time. For perspective, in the previous five seasons (2019-23), ASU scored just 17 TOTAL touchdowns in the final five minutes of the first half - at a 17.7 rate (17-of-96) that was 112th in the FBS.
• Conversely, ASU has allowed just four touchdown drives in the final five minutes of the first half dating back to 2024 (at Cincinnati last year, at Baylor, at Utah, at Iowa State this year) and held opponents to a 4-for-39 touchdown drive percentage in that stretch (10.3 percent) that is seventh-best in the nation (drives that end at any point in the final five minutes of the half).
• Utah’s touchdown at the exact 11:00 mark in the third quarter this season marked the first time ASU allowed a touchdown in the first four minutes of a second half in the last season-plus.
• ASU has a 120-50 advantage since the start of last season in the “middle eight” of games (last four minutes of first half, first four minutes of second half). ASU outscored opponents 87-16 in the category last season.
• The Sun Devils have five fourth down conversions in the fourth quarter of one-score games this season - tied for the third-most in the FBS.
  
  KEEP THEM IN FRONT OF YOU
• ASU has allowed just 24 plays over 50 yards to opponents since the 2018 season over 90 games - tied for third-fewest in the FBS in that time behind only Washington (20) and Wisconsin (23). The FBS average in that span is 49.40 such plays. ASU ranked in the bottom 10 nationally in 50+ yards played allowed each year from 2014-17, giving up a nation-leading 55 such plays in that span - 13 more than any other school in the FBS.
• ASU has allowed just 12 total 50+ yard plays in the Dillingham/Ward era, tied for 17th-lowest since 2023.
• ASU has allowed just 15 catches for 50 or more yards since 2018, tied with Penn State for the second-lowest amount in the FBS in that time (Washington, 11).
• The team has allowed just eight in the Dillingham/Ward era, tied for the 21st lowest total.
• The Sun Devils allowed just 12 plays over 30 yards last season, tied for the 3rd-lowest total in the country. ASU allowed just 22 total plays over 30 yards in 2023, which was 35th in the FBS. ASU has allowed 13 such plays this year, tied for 34th-lowest in the FBS.
• The 47 total plays allowed of 30+ yards in two-plus seasons under defensive coordinator Brian Ward are tied for the 13th-lowest total in the FBS.
• Since 2018, ASU has allowed just 127 TOTAL 30-plus yard plays (1.5 per game/90 games). That is the third-lowest tally in the FBS in that time. (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.
  
  DEEP DIVE
• ASU is picking up 50.5 percent of its available yards and compared to a 43.4 mark for opponents - a 7.1 percent net difference that is 40th in the FBS.
• The Sun Devils ranked 6th nationally in picking up 60.0 percent of the yards available on offense last year while limiting opponents to picking up just 45.2 percent of theirs. The net 14.8 percent difference was the 13th-best total in the FBS.  For perspective, in 2023 the net percentage was -20.1 percent (36.2 vs. 56.3)  - the 131st WORST total in the country.
• ASU currently ranks 39th with 48.2 percent of its drives ending with a touchdown or field goal attempt with a net 10.1 percent difference compared to the opponents that ranks 34th in the country (*against FBS competition only).
• Reaching its own 40-yard line has been the key for the ASU offense this season. On drives where the Sun Devils start within 39 yards of its own end zone but reach the 40-yard line, the Sun Devils are scoring a touchdown or recording a field goal attempt 70.7 percent of the time - 19th-best nationally.
• Last season, 54.1 percent of Sun Devil offensive drives resulted in ASU scoring a touchdown or getting in range for a field goal attempt - good for 11th nationally. Only 40.7 percent of such opponent drives did the same, a net +13.4 percent difference that was the 21st-best in the nation. ASU ranked dead last (133rd) in the category in 2023 with a net -29.0 percent tally as only 28 percent of its drives resulted in a touchdown or field goal attempt (124th) compared to a 57 percent success rate for opponents (132nd
  
  RULE OF THIRDS (OR QUARTERS)
• Overall, opponents are managing just a 34.4 percent conversion rate on third downs against the ASU defense this season - the 32nd-lowest mark in the country.
• That current rate is the lowest since ASU posted a 33.5 percent mark on third down defense in 2010 and is the ninth-best overall tally for a Sun Devil defense since the 1996 season.
• The Sun Devils held Iowa State to 2-of-14 (14.3%) on third down, their lowest conversion percentage of the season. It is the best third down defense by ASU since the season opener when they held NAU to 2-of-15 on third down. Since 2010, the 14.3% was tied for Iowa State’s third-worst conversion rate in a single game.
• This season the first time ASU has held two opponents for two or fewer third down conversions on ten or more attempts since the 2010 season (vs NAU and Oregon).
• On offense, the Sun Devils have five fourth down conversions in the fourth quarter of one-score games this season - tied for the third-most in the FBS.
• The team’s 11 third OR fourth down conversions in the fourth quarter of one-score games is 10th in the FBS.
  
  ABNEY ROAD
• Keith Abney has been exceptional this season for the Sun Devil secondary. The junior is currently the third-highest graded corner on overall defense for the season in the Big 12 (80.5) and 22nd-highest graded corner in the FBS. His 78.9 grade in coverage is third among Big 12 corners and 30th among FBS corners. His 90.5 tackling grade is tops among all FBS corners - and eighth among all FBS defenders, regardless of position.
• Abney has allowed just a 49.0 completion percentage this season overall, fourth-lowest among Big 12 corners and 24th lowest in the FBS (min. 250 pass coverage snaps).
• His 9.6 yards allowed per reception are 24th-lowest in the FBS among corners and fourth in the Big 12.
• His longest reception allowed this year is 23 yards - the ninth-lowest total among FBS corners. He has been credited with just five completions allowed over 15 yards this season, tied for 36th-lowest total natonally.
• Abney’s 329 snaps in coverage without allowing a touchdown are the fourth-most in the country among corners without giving up a score.
• Only 17.0 percent of completions against Abney have resulted in a first down or touchdown - the fourth-lowest total among FBS corners.
• Opponents have just at 47.3 NFL QBR when targeting Abney, third-best among Big 12 corners and 16th among all FBS corners.
• He is second among Big 12 corners and 18th nationally with nine forced incompletions this year. Abney’s 11 forced incompletions last season (according to PFF) were the fourth-most among alll Big 12 players.
• The sure-handed tackler has allowed just 42 yards after the catch this year, the 11th-lowest tally among all FBS corners (min. 250 snaps in coverage).
• Abney has excelled in man coverage this season. Among Big 12 corners wiht at least 50 snaps in man coverage, Abney is holding opponents to just a 33.3 percent completion rate (5th in the league) and a 42.4 NFL QBR when targeted in man (3rd in Big 12).
• He is allowing just 8.8 yards per reception in man coverage, tied for the fifth-lowest tally among league CBs and just 2.9 yards per coverage target - tied for the second-lowest total in the league
• His 70.6 grade in man coverage is fifth among Big 12 corners.
• After giving up two touchdowns in the first four games of the year, Abney was credited with just two allowed over the final 10 games of the season. He was targeted just once and did not allow a completion on 35 passing plays in a pivotal win over BYU late in the season.
  
  NO FLY ZONE
• ASU currently ranks 17th in the FBS with 48 passes defending this year (42 PBUs, 6 INT). The Sun Devils were 16th in the nation with 69 passes defended last season and 14th with 16 interceptions.
• ASU’s exceptional work in harrying opposing quarterbacks is due in large part to ASU’s coverage down the field. The Sun Devils have an average time to force a pressure of 2.67 seconds, which is tied with Ohio State as the 5th-LONGEST time to harry a quarterback in the FBS - a credit to ASU’s secondary given Arizona State’s gaudy sack and pressure numbers.
• Keith Abney and Javan Robinson have not been credited with a missed tackle on a pass play this season - two of just four Big 12 corners to lay such a claim. The duo rank first and third among all FBS corners with their tackling grades of 90.5 and 90.3, respectively, and eighth and 11th among ALL FBS defenders.
• There are just eight corners in the country with at least 250 coverage snaps (155 such players) and no missed tackles on passing plays this season - of which Abney and Robinson are two.
• Out of 155 FBS corners with at least 250 coverage snaps played, only 25 have not been credited directly with a touchdown allowed - two of which are Abney and Kyndrich Breedlove of ASU, which joins Indiana as the only other school with multiple players in that exclusive group.
• Among FBS corners with at least 100 snaps played in coverage, redshirt freshman Rodney Bimage’s 5.8 yards allowed per reception are fifth-lowest in the country. Only 30.8 percent of opponent’s passes in Bimage’s direction have resulted in a reception (on 104 snaps) - the sixth-lowest tally nationally.
• Bimage has allowed just .22 yards per coverage snap this season, the second-lowest total among FBS corners with at least 100 coverage snaps, as are his 1.8 yards allowed per coverage snap. His 7.7 1D/TD percentage when targeted is also second-lowest in the FBS.
• Bimage also paces the team with seven special teams tackles, good for fourth-most in the Big 12.
• Boogie Wilson has very quietly been a rock on the back end of ASU’s defense after filling in for starter X Alford in Week 3. Wilson is third among all Big 12 secondary with just seven receptions allowed (min. 240 coverage snaps) this season.
• Opponents have thrown Wilson’s way just 13 times, the second-lowest total among Big 12 secondary players.
• Since 2018, the Sun Devil secondary has allowed just 43 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.
  
  HOLD THE LINE
• The Sun Devils are 21st in the FBS with 24 sacks this season and 37th with 58 tackles for loss. The sack total is especially notable as the team had just 24 TOTAL sacks a season ago.
• This is a marked change in trend from the past couple seasons, where ASU finished in the lower half of the country in both categories (73rd and 70th in sacks in 2024 and 2023, 83rd and 96th in TFLs).
• ASU has had this success despite blitzing just 20.4 percent of the time, the third-LOWEST total in the country. The team has brought four or fewer pass rushers 296 times this year - the 17th-MOST in the country.
• ASU has allowed an average of just 5.10 yards per play this season, good for 39th in the country.
• Opponents averaged just 5.23 yards per play in 2024 - 40th-lowest in the country after being 93rd at 5.95 in 2023. Only 22.2 percent of opponent plays gained 7 or more yards, the 23rd-lowest tally in the country after ranking 105th in 2023 at 35.1 percent.
  
  IN THE TRENCHES
• Prince Dorbah’s -0.17 average depth of tackle on run plays this season is the best among Big 12 linemen and 18th among ALL FBS linemen (min. 75 run defense snaps).
• Clayton Smith is 14th among Big 12 linemen with 22 quarterback pressures this season as are his his 16 QB hurries.
• Prince Dorbah’s 79.2 grade as a pass rusher is sixth among Big 12 linemen (min. 100 pass rush snaps).
• Jacob Kongaika’s 13 QB pressures this season are sixth among Big 12 interior linemen
• Dorbah’s 4.0 tackles for loss in the TCU victory are tied for the second-most for any FBS player this season and he is the only Big 12 player to do so.
• He was first Big 12 player with 4.0 tackles for loss in a game since Amier Washington (TTU) in their 2023 bowl game and the first Big 12 player to do it against a conference opponent since Felix Anudike-Uzomah (KSU) against TCU on Oct. 30, 2021 (also 4.0).
• PFF tabbed him as the highest graded defender in the entire country for the week with a 95.2 overall defensive mark (min. 25 snaps). It is the fifth-best single week grade for any defensive player in the FBS this season.
  
  WHERE’S THE BEEF?
• The Sun Devil offensive line entered the 2025 season with 134 starts to its collective credit across the FBS/FCS level, good for the 12th highest total in the nation coming into the year. Last year the group entered with a combined 156 career starts spread amongst them entering the 2024 season, the fifth-highest tally in the country.
• The experienced group did its part last year in protecting its quarterback and also paving the way for its rushers as the squad was one of the more improved lines in the country.
• Overall in 2025, ASU has a team pass blocking grade of 72.9 according to PFF, good for 39th in the FBS.
• The team has given quarterbacks 3.33 seconds to throw per play this year, 23rd-most nationally. ASU’s quarterbacks had an average time to throw of 3.51 seconds last season, good for 14th-best in the FBS after ranking 128th in the country in 2023 at 2.48 seconds.
• ASU’s 2.53 seconds before allowing a pressure is Top-50 in the FBS. The group was 33rd nationally with an average of 2.57 seconds before allowing a QB pressure last year. ASU was 117th in 2023 with a 2.37 mark before giving up a QB pressure.
• Max Iheanachor (12) ranks 20th among right tackles in the FBS in fewest pressures allowed. Iheanachor’s 78.9 pass blocking grade this season is 11th among all FBS right tackles (min. 250 pass block snaps). He has not been credited sole credit for a sack allowed this season, one of just 18 right tackles in the FBS to lay such a claim.
• ASU’s offensive linemen received a 82.0 pass blocking grade from PFF as a group last season, the 23rd-best tally nationally.
• As a team, ASU was 40th in the country in only allowing 1.50 sacks per game last season after ranking 96th in 2023 with 2.50 allowed per game.
  
  MIDDLE OF THE LINEUP
• With the Sun Devils utilizing a 4-2-5 lineup on defense, the two linebackers on the field at any given time can easily get lost in the grand scheme of things but that room has been exception for the Sun Devils this season.
• Keyshaun Elliott and Jordan Crook lead the team with 77 and 66 tackles respectively - representing 25.9 percent of the team’s overall non-special teams tackles (143 of 552) this season.
• Elliott has been on a tear with three-straight games recording double digit tackles. His 8.6 tackles per game are 35th in the FBS. Elliott’s 280 career tackles are the 13th-most among active FBS players.
• Elliott has posted a 10.7 run stop percentage (22 defensive “stops” on 205 run defense plays that is fifth among Big 12 linebackers and 40th among FBS backers.
• Crook ranks ninth among Big 12 linebackers on run defense with a 78.9 grade. His 11.6 run-stop percentage is sixth in the Big 12 among linebackers and 45 among FBS LBs
• The duo ranks seven and eighth among Big 12 linebackers in stops on run defense (22 and 21m respectively).
• Elliott’s 12 tackles for loss or no gain on run plays this season are second in the Big 12 among linebackers and fourth among all FBS linebackers.
• Crook was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week after the Texas State game after he stuffed the stat sheet during a 12-tackle performance, credited with 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack. His 12 tackles were the second-most in the Big 12 this week and fifth among all linebackers in the country. He made first contact on a play nine times according to PFF, the second-highest total in the Big 12 and tied for 14th-most in the country.
• The 3.5 tackles for loss were the most by a Sun Devil since Tyler Johnson had 3.5 against Stanford on Oct. 8, 2021.
• ASU’s three interceptions by linebackers (2 by Martell Hughes, 1 by Crook) are tied for ninth among FBS teams.
• Sun Devil linebackers have recorded 23 defensive stops in coverage this season, tied for 25th among linebacker corps in the FBS. Despite there only ever being two linebackers on the field at a given time, ASU’s 47 tackles on pass plays are 34th among linebacker groups nationally.
  
  GETTING DEFENSIVE
• The Sun Devils are giving up just 334.8 yards per game this season, good for 44th in the FBS. ASU allowed just 339.6 yards per game last season, good for 38th nationally after ranking 89th a in 2023 (396.8).
• ASU’s yardage tally is especially notable as the team has faced FIVE teams currently ranked in the FBS’s Top-40 in total offense yards per game (and four in the Top-20 - Texas Tech, Texas State, Utah, Baylor).
• ASU has avoided letting teams get going when pinned deep as opponents are scoring just .40 points per drive on drives starting inside their own 20-yard line against ASU, the 10th-lowest total nationally.
• ASU’s -0.098 EPA per play this season ranks 26th in the FBS. Last year, ASU’s defense ranked 21st in overall defensive EPA at -0.070. The team’s +0.160 net EPA between offense and defense was 12th nationally.
• Only 81.3 percent (26 of 32) of opponent non-garbage time drives that have reached the ASU red zone this season have resulted in points for the opponent - the 41st-lowest tally in the FBS.
• ASU is currently allowing opponents to pick up just 43.4 percent of the yards available to them, good for 39th nationally. The team allowed offenses to pick up just 45.2 of their available yards last season, the 48th-lowest total nationally. ASU was 124th in the country in 2023 in allowing 56.3 percent of available yards.
• Opponents are picking up just 58.3 percent of their available yards up to their own 40-yard line this season - the 19th-lowest total in the country - and just 53.8 percent of the yards to the ASU 40, which is 31st. Last season, ASU was much improved in keeping opponents from getting across the 50, allowing other teams to pick up just 67.6 percent of their available yards up to their own 40-yard line - the 62nd-lowest total in the FBS while also allowing only 58.5 percent of opponent yards up to the ASU 40 - 51st nationally. ASU ranked 121st and 126 in those categories in 2023.
• Since 2018, ASU has held opponents to the 400 or less mark for total offensive yards on 54 occasions over 90 games (60.0 percent of the time). For comparison, ASU accomplished the feat just 24 times in the 65 previous games (36.9 percent) from 2013-2017. The team has accomplished the feat 25 times in 35 games under Kenny Dillingham and Brian Ward - 20th among Power Conference teams over the last three years.
• ASU has held opponents to 30 points or less in 61 of 90 games since 2018 (67.8 percent). This is notable as it DID allow 30+ in 32 of the 43 previous games (74.4 percent) in a span from 2013- 17. ASU has accomplished this 27 times in 35 games under Kenny Dillingham and Brian Ward.
• ASU has held its seven of its eight opponents after the opener to fewer points than they were averaging per game coming into the contest (Miss St. 24/34.0, Texas State 15/47.5, Baylor 24/38.0, TCU 24/41.7, TTU 22/47.5, UH 24/29.4, Iowa State (19/29.0) ASU was 11 for 14 in holding opponents under their season scoring average last year, following the season opener: Mississippi State (23/56.0), Texas State (28/41.5), Texas Tech (30/44.7), Utah (19/28.3), Cincinnati (24/31.0), Oklahoma State (21/30.5), UCF (31/33.2) Kansas State (14/31.2), BYU (21/31.6), Arizona (7/23.1), Iowa State (19/31.2).
• The Sun Devils have faced four teams that entered the contest averaging over 500.0 yards of total offense per game and held those teams to an average of 301.25 yards (Texas State/Baylor/TCU/Texas Tech).

GOLD RUSH

• ASU enters the weekend ranked 31st in the country in averaging 187.7 rushing yards per game. The Sun Devils ranked 20th in the FBS in averaging 199.9 rushing yards per game last year.
• ASU’s 806 rushing yards amongst quarterbacks (excluding sacks) is ninth-most among all FBS teams. The Sun Devils are the only FBS team outside Navy (and its triple option offense) to have two quarterbacks with 300+ net yards of rushing.
• The team has rushed for 200 or more yards 14 times under Kenny Dillingham, compiling a 11-3 record when it does.
• ASU is posting a first down or touchdown when it rushes the ball 29.0 percent of the time this year, good for 40th nationally. ASU averaged a rushing first down or touchdown 31.0 percent of the time in 2024, good for 23rd nationally.
• The team ranks 32nd this season in averaging 3.4 yards after contact per rush. The running backs were especially efficient in punishing opponents last year earning 3.6 yards after contact per rush - 21st in the FBS.
• The Sun Devils have forced 90 missed tackles on running plays this year, good for 15th in the FBS. ASU forced 177 missed tackles on run plays last season, second-most in the FBS and were tied for third in the FBS in averaging 0.31 missed tackles forced per running play.
• ASU has received a team rushing grade of 95.4 from PFF since the start of 2023, good for 10th-best nationally.
• The team’s 0.30 missed tackles forced per rush since 2023 are second in the FBS. The team has averaged 3.3 yards after contact per rush in that time - tied for 24th in the FBS. The team’s 30.6 first down/touchdown percentage since 2023 is 26th in the FBS.
• ASU has rushed for 100+ yards in 25 of the team’s 35 games under Kenny Dillingham.
• The Sun Devils have produced a 1,000-yard rusher 10 times in the last 14 seasons - with one of the lone exceptions being the shortened 2020 season. For comparison, from 1976-2010, ASU had just eight 1000-yard rushers over 34 years.

BUT ALSO NO RUSH

• ASU ranks 27th nationally in allowing just 123.2 rush yards per game this season.
• The Sun Devils held opponents to just 112.9 rushing yards per game last year, the 21st-best total in the country and tops in the Big 12. That came despite ASU playing four of the Top-15 teams in the nation last season in rushing offense (5. UCF/11. Kansas State/13. Kansas./15. Texas State). No other team in the Top-30 faced more than two such opponents in the regular season. ASU was 36th in the FBS in allowing just 133.5 rush yards per game to opponents in 2023.
• There have been 16 instances in 35 games that an opponent was held under the century mark on the ground since defensive coordinator Brian Ward took over in 2023. Between the 2018-2022 season, it had happened just 13 times in 55 games.
• ASU has held six of its last 12 opponents dating back to last season under 100 rushing yards.
  
  A HAND IN THE COOKIE JAR
• The Sun Devils have 10 takeaways this season (6 interceptions, 5 fumble recoveries) and a .33 turnover margin that is 35th in the country.
• The Sun Devils had 23 takeaways last season (16 interceptions, 7 fumble recovers), good for 23rd nationally after the program finished with only eight takeaways in 2023. The team ranked 6th in the FBS and tops in the Big 12 with a +1.00 turnover margin per game.
• ASU has outscored opponents 1013-567 in points off takeaways since 2012 - 36-6 this season and 77-21 last season.
• Arizona State is one of just two FBS teams this season with six or fewer points allowed off turnovers (Connecticut).
• Conversely, the Sun Devils have not committed multiple turnovers in 28 different games under coach Kenny Dillingham, tied for seventh-most in the FBS since 2023.
• The Sun Devils were 129th in the nation in turnover margin in 2023 at -11, improving that mark to +14 last year and the No. 6 mark in the country. The 25-turnover swing was the largest turnaround by any team in the FBS this season, the 5th-best in the last 10 years and the 25th-best of any program since the 1996 season
  
  SWEET BABY JESUS
• Sun Devil Football kicker Jesus Gomez has already surpassed ASU’s total field goals kicked for the entire SEASON a year ago with his 18 made kicks this season - the sixth-most in the FBS. ASU made 11 field goals in the entirety of last season.
• His 70 points this season are 19th among FBS kickers this season.
• Gomez is fifth among active FBS players with 64 field goals made in his career and ninth in total points scored with 309.
• He is the first kicker in the FBS this season to make four field goals against a Top-25 or Top-10 team (vs. #7 Texas Tech) and one of just two players in the FBS to have two games with four or more field goals this season. .
• Gomez became just the fifth FBS player since 2015 to make game-winning field goals in the final two minutes of regulation in back-to-back games and the first Big 12 player since Oklahoma State’s Ben Grogan in 2015 with his fields goals at Baylor and vs. TCU. He is the first to accomplish the feat since Kent State’s Matthew Tricket in Nov. of 2023.
• Gomez played hero in Arizona State’s dramatic 27-24 road win over Baylor. Gomez drilled a 43-yard field goal as time expired, clinching a victory in ASU’s Big 12 Conference opener.
• The Sun Devils needed all four of Gomez’s made field goals as he set a new personal career-best mark for a single game. Gomez’s four field goals were the most by a Sun Devil since Carter Brown had four against NAU on Sept. 1, 2022. It was his seventh career game in which he has made three of more field goals.
• Gomez’s game-winner was ASU’s first walk-off field goal since Sept. 18, 2018 when Brandon Ruiz hit a 28-yarder to knock off Michigan State.
• It was the first walk-off field goal on the road by a Sun Devil kicker in regulation since at least 1964.
• He is one of only nine kickers to make four field goals in a game this season, which are tied for the third-most in a contest in the FBS this year.
  
  TIME AND TIME AGAIN
• Arizona State has five games this season with at least 35:00 time of possession, tied with Army for the most in the FBS.
• The Sun Devils are 12-6 under Dillingham when leading in time of possession compared to a 6-8 mark when they don’t.
• ASU has controlled the ball for over 33 minutes in 12 of its last 23 games. It had reached the 33-minute mark just 12 times in its previous 54 games dating back to 2019.
  
  KENNY THE GIANT SLAYER
• Kenny Dillingham won his sixth game against an AP Top-25 team in the last two seasons and moved to 6-6 in his career in such games with the victory over #7 Texas Tech.
• He is the only active coach in the Big 12 with at least a .500 record against ranked opponents.
• The Sun Devils have won six-straight games over Big 12 teams ranked in the Top-25 (2-0 this season), which is tied for the sixth-longest streak in Big 12 history.
• ASU’s 6-1 record against Top-25 teams since the start of last year is tied for the second best in the FBS with Alabama behind only Ohio State (8-1)
  
  MOUNTAIN AMERICA STADIUM, HOME OF THE ASU SUN DEVILS
• Arizona State University and Sun Devil Athletics have announced a multi-year naming rights partnership in 2023 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.
• 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 16 young men this season that have already earned their undergraduate degrees:

• Xavion Alford, BA Liberal Studies, 2024
• Coben Bourguet, BSE Engineering Management, 2024
• Ben Coleman, MA Communication, 2024
• Anthonie Cooper, BA Interdisciplinary Studies (Communication/Nutrition and Healthy Living), 2022
• Prince Dorbah, BS Communication, 2024
• Adama Fall, BA Liberal Studies, 2024
• Zyrus Fiaseu, BA Liberal Studies, 2025
• Cameron Harpole, BA Communication, 2025
• Max Iheanachor, BA Liberal Studies, 2025
• Chamon Metayer, BA Liberal Studies, 2025
• Elijah O’Neal, BA Liberal Studies, 2024
• Kyle Scott, BS Psychology, 2025
• Ian Shewell, BS Clinical Exercise Science, 2025
• Jeff Sims, BA Liberal Studies, Graduated SP24 (Nebraska)
• Clayton Smith, BA Liberal Studies, 2025
• Justin Wodtly, BA Liberal Studies, 2025 

**DUE TO THE EXTENDED ABSENCES OF JORDYN TYSON AND SAM LEAVITT, THESE NEXT TWO SECTIONS WERE LAST UPDATED POST-HOUSTON GAME AND WILL NOT BE UPDATED AGAIN UNTIL EITHER PLAYER GETS BACK ON THE FIELD

AIR JORDYN

• Jordyn Tyson has recorded a touchdown in eight consecutive games dating back to last season (all seven this season and the Arizona game last year before missing the postseason with an injury). That is is the longest active streak in the FBS and also tied for the third-longest streak for an ASU player since at least 1996 behind Marion Grice (10) and Cam Marshall (9).
• Tyson’s 8 receiving touchdowns this season are tied for the fourth-most in the FBS and the nine total touchdowns (8 receiving, 1 rushing) are 20th in in the FBS. He is 12th in the country with 89.7 receiving yards per game and third with 8.14 receptions per game.
• Since the start of last season, Tyson is second among all receivers in receiving yards (1,729) and receiving touchdowns (18) - despite Tyson missing three games in that stretch. 
• Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith is the only player ahead of Tyson in those two categories (1,917 yards and 22 touchdowns) but it should be noted Smith has done so in four more games of action than Tyson in that time. Tyson’s 91.0 yards per game since the start of last year leads all active players.
• Tyson’s 85 receiving first downs in that stretch are the most in the country.
• Nine of Tyson’s 22 career touchdown receptions have come in the final five minutes of either the first or second halves (with 10 total touchdowns in that criteria with a late punt return TD against ASU in 2022). Those nine touchdown receptions are the fourth-most of any FBS player in the last decade (since 2015) behind only SMU’s James Proche (14), LSU’s Kyren Lacy (10), and Alabama’s Devonta Smith (10).
• Tyson has recorded 10 touchdowns in the fourth quarter of games in his career (9 receiving, 1 punt return) - the most among active FBS players. It is the 10th-most of any player in the last decade (in FBS games played only).
• Prior to missing the Houston game, Tyson’s 34 receiving first downs/touchdowns (59.6 percent on 57 catches) this season were tied for first in the FBS. His 252 yards after the catch are 28th in the FBS.
• Tyson has found his success despite facing press coverage on 116 of his 277 receiving snaps this season - the second-highest total in the FBS prior to the UH contest. His 434 yards out of press coverage were sixth-most in the FBS as were his five touchdowns and his 23 first downs/touchdowns third prior to his injury
• Tyson was nigh-uncoverable in man coverage this season prior to the injury, putting up a 89.5 grade on man coverages this season - the second-highest grade among all FBS players (min. 50 man coverage snaps) prior to the UH game. His 87 snaps against man were ninth-most in the FBS.
• Facing man prior to the UH game, Tyson had caught 23 - most in the FBS - of his 41 targets for 250 yards (fourth in the FBS). He had five touchdowns and 15 receiving 1st downs/touchdowns against man - first and second in the FBS, respectively, prior to his injury.
• Tyson had been targeted on 47.1 percent of his receiving snaps this season prior to the injury - the third-highest ratio in the FBS.
• Tyson was the first Sun Devil with 8+ receiving TDs through the team’s first seven games since Derek Hagan in 2004 (also 8).
  
  AGENT ZERO
• Tyson emphasized wide receivers coach Hines Ward’s “No Block, No Rock” mantra as he was fifth among FBS receivers with 298 run-blocking snaps last season prior to his injury. His 214 run block snaps this year prior to injury were seventh among FBS receivers and fourth among Power Four receivers.
• Tyson now has 100 or more receiving yards against two Top-25 teams this season (No. 7 Texas Tech and No. 25 TCU ). He is one of just three players to record 100+ yards against two Top-25 teams this season (Louisville’s Chris Bell and Oklahoma’s Isaiah Sategna).
• Tyson (who wears No. 0) became the first Sun Devil to be named a Preseason First AP All-American entering this season. He was also named a Walter Camp Preseason All-American, and recognized on the Maxwell Award Awatch List, the Biletnikoff Award Watch List and a First Team Preseason All Big-12 selection.
• Tyson earned Third-Team Associated Press All American honors last and is one of 16 returners from those teams in 2025. He is one of five returning AP All Americans returning on offense along with center Jake Slaughter (Florida), wide receivers Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State) and Eric Rivers (Florida International) and tackle Spencer Fano (Utah).
• Tyson has now eclipsed over 2,000 yards in his NCAA career, checking in at 2,199 yards between his time at ASU and Colorado - which was tied for the 10th-highest total among active players at the FBS level and the most career receiving yards of any player that has played in 35 games or less prior to jis injury. He is averaging 4.97 catches per game in his career, the fourth-highest total among active FBS players prior to injury. He is fourth among active players at the FBS level in receiving touchdowns (22) and  one of only two players (Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith) with 22+ receiving touchdowns in 31 games or less.
• Tyson has nine games in which he has eclipsed the century mark in receiving since becoming a Sun Devil. ASU is 6-0 when Tyson catches a touchdown and has over 100 yards in his time at ASU.
• Tyson had a breakout season in 2024, with 75 catches for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns before getting injured in the second half of the Nov. 30 Arizona game and missing the postseason. He had five games of 100-yards receiving including 12 catches for 176 yards and two touchdowns at Kansas State on Nov. 16.
• His efforts earned him Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year.
• The ten touchdowns last season tied him for sixth all-time in Sun Devil history, one of just 11 Sun Devils total to reach double digits in a season, and the most since Jaelen Strong had 10 in 2014.
  
  TAKE IT OR LEAVITT
• Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt has six career games with at least one passing and one rushing score and the the Sun Devils are 6-0 in those games.
• Leavitt has led three game-winning drives (go-ahead score in final minute of game/regulation) - tied for the fourth-most among active players.
• The sophomore has shown his second-half moxie over the last two seasons, with his 19 second-half touchdown passes good for seventh among active quarterbacks in the last two years while his five picks are tied for the 10th-lowest among QBs with at least 250 second-half dropbacks. His 1.5 turnover-worthy pass percentage is the second lowest in the FBS in that time.
• He has been sacked just four times in the second half of games, the 12th-least among FBS QBs over the last two seasons. His 98.2 NFL QBR in the second half of games is 11th-best among active QBs in the last two seasons.
• No quarterback has posted more than Leavitt’s 378 rushing yards (sacks excluded) in the second half of games over the last two years. His 116 passing first downs in the second half are ninth.
• Leavitt has recored a 71.8 NFL QB rating when pressured this season, good for 25th in the country abd his 68.0 overall offensive grade while pressured is third among FBS quarterbacks.
• He has six career games posting 300+ yards of total offense.  He is averaging 275.4 yards of total offense per game this season, good for 27th in the FBS.
• Leavitt has six career games with 150+ passing yards and 50+ rushing yards. That ranks him in the Top-10 among all FBS quarterbacks in the last two seasons achieving that feat.
• After an uncharacteristic three interceptions in his first two games this year, Leavitt has been flawless on his 178 attempts over his last five games. In doing so, he has set the Sun Devil school record for most consecutive pass attempts without an interception (previously 157 by Jayden Daniels in 2019).
• ASU is 11-1 in games where Leavitt does not throw an interception with the lone exception coming against Houston this year in a contest where he was hamstringed by a pair of injuries.
• Leavitt has set his receivers up for success, finding open players and hitting dudes in stride to the tune of 52.9 percent of his yards coming after the catch - 14th among FBS QBs. That tally was 58.6 percent last season- good for third nationally.
• Leavitt has 17 rushes of 10+ yards this season - eighth-most among all FBS quarterbacks.
• His 429 rush yards (removing quarterback sacks) are the 27th-most among FBS quarterbacks, despite missing a game.
• 6 percent of Leavitt’s rushes have resulted in a first down or touchdown - the seventh-highest percentage among FBS QBS (min. 50 attempts).
• The sophomore is third among FBS quarterbacks with 322 yards on QB scrambles this year, also second the group with 11.5 yards per scramble (min. 25 scrambles).
• His 309 yards AFTER contact are the ninth-most in the country overall. He has 82.0 percent of his SCRAMBLE yards AFTER contact - third-most in the FBS. Leavitt’s 82.2 rushing grade on plays with a QB pressure is second-most among all FBS quarterbacks.
  
  WHEN THE LEAVITT BREAKS
• Sam Leavitt is 11-2 in Big 12 games as the starting quarterback and has won 16 of 20 career games as a starter.
• Leavitt was just the ninth Big 12 quarterback to win 15 of his first 18 starts since the 2003 season, joining a illustrious list that includes: Spencer Rattler, Baker Mayfield, Bryce Petty, Collin Klein, Brandon Weeden, Todd Reesing, Sam Bradford and Vince Young.
• Leavitt recorded his first career game with two rushing touchdowns and two passing touchdowns against NAU in the opener. In doing so, it was just the third time since 1997 that a Sun Devil quarterback accomplished the feat with Taylor Kelly doing it twice in 2013.
• Leavitt finished his first year in Tempe as the school record holder for total offense by a freshman with 3,328 yards and second in program history in passing yards by a freshman at 2,885. The 3,328 total yards of offense with eighth in ASU season history.
• He was named the Big 12 Freshman/Newcomer of the Year.
• Leavitt was the nation’s second-highest graded freshman player (true or redshirt with 400 snaps) on either side of the football by PFF (88.9), behind only Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith (89.8).
• His 88.9 grade for the season is the eighth-best among all FBS freshman quarterbacks in the PFF era since 2015 (min. 400 snaps played). Of the seven players ahead of him, six started an NFL game last season (Brock Purdy, Trevor Lawrence, Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, C.J. Stroud and Spencer Rattler). His grade was higher than the freshman year grades of NFL starting quarterbacks Sam Darnold, Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts, Daniel Jones, Jordan Love, Bo Nix and Jayden Daniels. The grade was good for 12th among all FBS quarterbacks in 2024
• Leavitt had eight passes for 50+ yards last year, most in Big 12 and tied for second most in the FBS for the season, only ASU player this century to have more in one season was Jayden Daniels in 2019.
• Among players with at least 300 dropbacks, Leavitt tied for third in the FBS with just five turnover-worthy throws on the season, according to Pro Football Focus
• His six interceptions were tied for sixth-fewest in the FBS among those with at least 300 dropbacks.
• He was one of just four with 20+ touchdowns (24) with six or fewer interceptions (six) AND turnover-worthy throws (5) (min. 300 dropbacks).
• Leavitt showed his ability to keep his composure under pressure, with 708 passing yards while pressured - good for 19th nationally despite missing a game. His 7.8 yards per attempt while under pressure were 12th-best in the country. His 5 under pressure touchdowns were 20th.
• His 74.8 NFL QBR while under pressure was 30th in the nation. He picked up a first down with his arm 41 times on 143 pressures - 13th-most in the FBS.
• Leavitt rushed for 435 yards on 51 scrambles last year, good for the second-most among quarterbacks in the FBS. He picked up a first down or touchdown on 47.1 percent of those QB scrambles, good for 11th among FBS quarterbacks (min 25 scrambles). He had the nation’s sixth-best rushing grade when scrambling at 76.4. His 79.1 overall rushing grade was 18th among FBS quarterbacks.
• Leavitt became the first ASU quarterback to have six games in a season with three or more touchdown passes (6) since Mike Berocovici in 2015 (6). The six games were tied for second-most this century behind only Andrew Walter’s seven in 2004. The last Big 12 freshman to have that many performances in a season was Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford in 2007 (eight).
• Leavitt thrice earned Big 12 Newcomer of the Week and also earned the Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Week honor following the K-State contest.
• He was the first Sun Devil to post three consecutive games with three touchdown passes and no picks since Jayden Daniels did it three times in 2019.