Sun Devil Football Postgame Notes - at Texas State

THE ASU VICTORY...

• Pushes ASU to their first 3-0 start since 2019 and its first 3-0 start where all three opponents were FBS programs since 2007 (SJSU, CU, SDSU).
• Gives the Sun Devils four wins in their last six games dating back to last season.
• Hands Texas State just its third loss in its last 12 games played in the State of Texas dating back to last year.
• Gave Texas State just its second loss in its last five home games dating back to last season
• Ended the Bobcats’ four-game winning streak dating back to last year
• Kept Texas State from having its first 3-0 start since 1983

 QUICK HITS

• Texas State started the game converting six of their first eight third down attempts. The Sun Devils finished the game allowing the Bobcats to be successful on only two of their last nine attempts. ASU stopped Texas State on each of the final three third down opportunities.
• The Sun Devils are outscoring opponents 28-0 in the “middle eight” of the game (final four minutes of 2nd quarter and first four minutes of the 3rd quarter). This included a 14-0 tally in today’s effort. 
• ASU has scored at least 21 points in the first half of each of the first three games. It is the first time they have accomplished the feat since their 3-0 start to open the 2014 season. 
• Both Keyshaun Elliott (12) and Myles Rowser (13) collected double digit tackles.
• Seven different Sun Devils were credited with at least 0.5 tackle for loss.
• Texas State running back Ismael Mahidi is considered one of the top non-power four ball carriers in the nation. He averaged 102.4 yards per game last year on the ground, but was held to only 68 yards against the Sun Devil defense. 

TURNING THEM OVER

• Arizona State only had eight takeaways all of last year. They already have seven (3 interceptions and 4 fumble recoveries) through three games this year.
• This is the first time since 2020 (at USC 4 TOs; at Arizona 7 TOs) that the Sun Devils have forced three or more turnovers twice in a three-game span.

SECOND HALF SHUTDOWN

• Arizona State trailed 21-7 with 3:46 in the second quarter before coming back to win 31-28. It is the program’s largest comeback on the road (14 points) since overcoming a 16 point deficit against UTSA (12-28 lead with 8:20 to go in third period) on Sept. 16, 2016. 
• After allowing 21 points and 249 yards of offense in the first half, the Sun Devils made the necessary adjustments to the Bobcats’ offense. In the second half, ASU gave up only seven points and 141 yards of offense.
• Arizona State allowed 96.0 yards per game and 20 total points in the fourth quarter through two games, being outscored 20-0. Today, Brian Ward’s defense held Texas State to 27 yards and 0 points to seal the victory. 
• Defending Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week Jordan McCloud was 17-of-23 with 3 touchdowns and no interceptions in the first half. ASU limited the standout to 12-of-21 with a touchdown and interception in the second half. 

HOLDING OUR OWN

• ASU has now held opponents to less than 30 points in 44 of 70 games since 2018 (62.8 percent) - including all three games this season, notable as it DID allow 30+ in 32 of the 43 previous games (74.4 percent) in a span from 2013- 17. UTSA was 25th in the country in averaging 41.5 points per game entering tonight (28). 
• Since 2018, ASU has held opponents to 400 total yards of offense or less on 39 occasions over 70 games (55.7 percent of the time) - including all three games this season. For comparison, ASU accomplished the feat just 24 times in the 65 previous games (36.9 percent) from 2013-2017. Texas State was 26th in the country in averaging 495.0 yards per game entering tonight (400).  

MILESTONE WATCH

• With his 62 yards rushing, running back Cam Skattebo surpassed 3,000 rushing yards in his career (currently at 3,054). His 83 all-purpose yards helped him reach 4,000 career all-purpose yards (currently at 4,038).
• He is also 146 receiving yards away from reaching 1,000 receiving yards in his career (currently at 854)
• Skattebo is 1 games played away from appearing in 40 games in his career (currently at 39)
• Wide receiver Xavier Guillory is 361 receiving yards away from reaching 2,000 receiving yards in his career (currently at 1,639)
• Wide receiver Melquan Stovall is 71 receiving yards away from reaching 1,500 receiving yards in his career (currently at 1,429).
• Stovall is 2 games played away from appearing in 50 games in his career (currently at 48). He is 7 catches away from reaching 150 for his career (currently at 143).
• Defensive lineman Jeff Clark has now registered 100 tackles in his career after a four tackle performance (currently at 100). He is 1 sack away from registering 10 sacks in his career (currently at 9.0). Clark is 1 game played away from appearing in 40 games in his career (currently at 39).
• Linebacker Caleb McCullough is 6 games played away from appearing in 40 games in his career, all in an ASU uniform (currently at 34).
• Thanks to his seven tackle effort, defensive back Shamari Simmons is 5 tackles away from registering 200 tackles in his career (currently at 195).
• Simmons needs 2 more pass defenses to reach 30 passes defended in his career (currently at 28)
• Defensive back Myles Rowser put together a 13-tackle performance and now sits 5 tackles away from registering 150 tackles in his career (currently at 145)

GET THE KEYS
Arizona State put together a 10-play, 69-yard drive to open the game. It was the sixth-straight scoring drive that was nine or more plays for the Sun Devils. Their third touchdown drive was 11-plays, 57-yards, making it six of the last eight scoring drives featuring 10+ plays.

DUAL THREAT
The 40-yard rush by Leavitt in the third quarter was the longest of his career. He ran and passed for a touchdown for the first time in his career.

SKAT SCORES
Cam Skattebo ran for two touchdowns, his first time scoring twice on the ground as a Sun Devil. It is his third time scoring two touchdowns at ASU (1 receiving; 1 rushing vs. No. 6 USC & 1 passing; 1 rushing at UCLA)
 
 
 
Connor Smith