Football Opens Big 12 Conference Era on the Road

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The game -  Sun Devil Football is back on the road for the second consecutive week as the program opens its Big 12 Conference era against Texas Tech on Saturday, Sept. 21 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas.. Scheduled for a 12:30 p.m. AZT kickoff (2:30 p.m. locally), the contest will be broadcast on FS1 (Eric Collins and Spencer Tillman) and available over the airwaves in Arizona on ESPN 620 AM (Tim Healey, Jeff Van Raaphorst, Kevin Turner, Jeff Munn).

ON the Red Raiders ans conference openers -  The Sun Devils will be looking to break up a 2-2 all-time series tie against Texas Tech, with the duo splitting a home-and-home in 2016 and 2017. The two squad combined for 220 points (55.0 points per team) and 2,363 total yards of offense (593.3 per team) over those two games alone. Texas Tech had nine different players find the end zone versus North Texas last weekend, its most in a game dating back to at least 1955 and the most for a Big 12 program versus an FBS program since 2013. Behren Morton leads the Big 12 and ranks second in the FBS with 10 passing touchdowns, which marks the most by a Red Raider through the first three games since Patrick Mahomes had 14 in 2016 (including 5 against ASU).

ASU will look to turn a new leaf in a new league in conference openers after the program finished its time in the Pac-12 with just an 18-26-2 record in conference openers with a 18-27-1 record in Pac-12 road openers. The Sun Devils also rarely started league play on the road in the Pac-12, doing so in only four previous seasons dating back to 2006 when it was more consistent from year to year - 2020 (due to unique circumstances of COVID-19), 2018, 2014, 2013 .

Kicking off

• The contest marks the first time ASU has played back-to-back road games within its first four games of the season since 2018 (at SDSU, at Washington) and just the 10th time since the Frank Kush era began in 1958 (2018, 2006, 2003, 1992, 1991, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1974)
• 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.
• The Sun Devils are outscoring opponents 28-0 in the "middle eight" of games (final four minutes of 2nd quarter and first four minutes of the 3rd quarter). This included a 14-0 tally in the come-from-behind win over Texas State
• ASU has now held opponents to less than 30 points in 44 of 70 games since 2018 (62.9 percent) - including all three games this season, notable as it DID allow 30+ in 32 of the 43 previous games (74.4 percent) in a span from 2013- 17.
• Since 2018, ASU has held opponents to 400 total yards of offense or less on 39 occasions over 70 games (55.7 percent of the time) - including each game this season. For comparison, ASU accomplished the feat just 24 times in the 65 previous games (36.9 percent) from 2013-2017.
• There are only five teams in the FBS that are 3-0 with all wins coming against FBS competition: Arizona State, No. 1 Texas, No. 4 Alabama, No, 15 Oklahoma and Pitt. ASU, Texas and Alabama are the only 3-0 teams with all wins coming against FBS competition that have scored at least 30 points in each game. ASU, Texas, Alabama and Pitt are the only four teams that are 3-0 against only FBS competition with at least one road game included.

#10THINGS (Twitter-Friendly Notes)

1. ASU has scored a touchdown or recorded a field goal attempt on 61.0% of its drives, 18th-most in the FBS. Only 27% of opponent drives have done the same. The net .34 difference in 14th-best in the FBS.

2. Sam Leavitt is one of just 3 quarterbacks in the FBS who has not been credited with a turnover-worthy play by PFF this season (his lone interception coming on a tipped pass of his own receivers hands).

3. The Sun Devils have allowed just two plays over 30 yards this season, tied for 19th in the country.

4. ASU's net +3.4 yards of starting field position this season are 40th nationally after ranking dead last in the category a year ago at -9.5.

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

6. The Sun Devils are averaging 25.0 first half points per game - good for 13th in the FBS - while holding opponents to 8.0 first half points per game - 35th in the FBS.

7.  The Sun Devil defense has allowed just a paltry 2,5 yards per third down to opponent offenses - the 12th-lowest total in the country after allowing 5.3 per third down play a year ago (67th).

8. ASU's rushers have earned 70.2 percent of their total yards AFTER contact in this season, the 32nd-best tally in the FBS.

9. ASU's quarterbacks have had an average time to throw of 2.81 seconds this season, good for 45th in the FBS after ranking 128th in the country a season ago at 2.48 seconds.

10. Cam Skattebo has been stuffed for no gain or a loss on just 10.1 percent of his career carries, good for the fourth-lowest tally among all active backs at both the FBS and FCS levels (min. 300 attempts).

BY THE NUMBERS
61 -ASU has scored a touchdown or recorded a field goal attempt on 61 percent of its drives this season, 18th-most in the FBS. Only 27 percent of opponent drives have done the same. The net .34 difference in 14th-best in the FBS. The offense is averaging 2.89 points per drive this season, a tally good for 32nd in the country while the team's +1.19 net points per drive total over opponents is 36th. The offense has picked up 54.0 percent of its available yards on the year, good for 36th in the country while the teams +22.6 net available yards percentage over opponents is the 25th best in the FBS.

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.

3 - Leif Fautanu has played 2,861 career snaps, the third-most snaps among active centers in the FBS behind only NMSU's Canaan Yarro (2,990) and Texas' Jake Majors (2,879). He started all 12 games for the Sun Devils a year ago, playing all but one snap of the season (helmet came off) for the team at center (850). Leif Fautanu has yet to be credited with a QB pressure allowed this season, one of just 11 centers in the FBS to lay such a claim (min. 75 pass block snaps). His 82.0 pass-blocking grade this season is 19th among FBS centers.  Fautanu has started in 46 career games, all coming consecutively, in his career. 

2 - The Sun Devils are averaging 6.5 yards per third down play on offense, the 28th-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 2.5 yards per third down to opponent offenses - the 12th-lowest total in the country after allowing 5.3 per third down play a year ago (67th). 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 81.3 percent of its chances (13 of 16) - good for 18th nationally. ASU is converting 43.48 percent of its third down chances (51st nationally) after being 120th in the FBS with just a 31.76 conversion percentage last year. 

0 - The ASU defense has yet to let an opponent score on a drive starting within its own 20-yard line. The defense has let the opponent cross the 50 yard line just 11 times on 36 drives this season (30.6 percent), excluding drives that started inside ASU's own 50 due to turnovers/special teams. Only 27.0 percent of opponents drives have resulted in a touchdown or field goal attempt, the 24th-lowest total in the FBS. Opponents have scored a touchdown or had a field goal attempt just 72.7 percent of the time when reaching ASU's 40-yard line - the 23rd-lowest total in the country. The team has allowed defenses to pick up just 31.4 of their available yards, the 26th-lowest total nationally. 

0 - Sam Leavitt is one of just 3 quarterbacks in the FBS who has not been credited with a turnover-worthy play by PFF this season (min. 75 drop backs). His lone interception came on a tipped ball off his receiver's hands to a defender 10 yards downfield. Leavitt has shown his ability to keep his composure under pressure, with 175 passing yards while pressured - good for 15th nationally. He has two touchdown passes  this season coming while being pressured, giving him a tie for third in the nation in under-pressure touchdown passes.  His 113.5 NFL QBR while under pressure is ninth in the nation. He has picked up a first down with his arm 10 times on 34 pressures - eighth-most in the FBS.

An ASU victory would...

• Give ASU a 4-0 start for the first time since 2016 and just the fifth time in the post-Frank Kush era (after 1980-p)
• It would be the first 4-0 start where all opponents were FBS programs since 2007 (SJSU, CU, SDSU, OSU).
• Give the Sun Devils five wins in their last seven games dating back to last season.
• Surpass ASU's win totals from the past two seasons
• Mark the Sun Devils' first win of the Big 12 era
• End Texas Tech's four-game winning streak at home
• Give the Red Raiders just their fourth loss in their last 16 home games
• Delay Texas Tech from winning its 600th game in program history

Milestone match

• Running back Cam Skattebo is 146 receiving yards away from reaching 1,000 receiving yards in his career (currently at 854)
• Skattebo is 1 game 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 is 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).
• Linebacker Keyshaun Elliott reached 150 tackles with his five tackle performance.
• Defensive back Shamari Simmons is 4 tackles away from registering 200 tackles in his career (currently at 196).Simmons needs 2 more pass defenses to reach 30 passes defended in his career (currently at 28)
• Defensive back Myles Rowser now sits 5 tackles away from registering 150 tackles in his career (currently at 145)

Hot out the gates

• There are only five teams in the FBS that are 3-0 with all wins coming against only FBS competition: Arizona State, No. 1 Texas, No. 4 Alabama, No, 15 Oklahoma and Pitt.
• ASU, Texas and Alabama are the only 3-0 teams with all wins coming against FBS competition that have scored at least 30 points in each game.
• ASU, Texas, Alabama and Pitt are the only four teams that are 3-0 against only FBS competition with at least one road game included.
• 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.
• ASU's win over Texas State handed the Bobcats just their third loss in its last 12 games played in the State of Texas dating back to last year.
• Arizona State trailed 21-7 with 3:46 in the second quarter before coming back to win 31-28. It was the program's largest comeback on the road (14 points) since overcoming a 16 point deficit against UTSA (12-28 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 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.

Wild Skatt

• Cam Skattebo is 7th among all active FBS AND FCS running backs with 3,054 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 175 career missed tackles on rushing plays, 4th among active FBS/FCS halfbacks while his 0.36 missed tackles forced per rushing attempt are sixth (min. 300 attempts). He is 12th in the FBS this season wtih 16 missed tackles forced on rushing plays.
• Skattebo has rushed for a first down or touchdown on 37.7 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 41.2 percent of his rushes this year, good for sixth in the FBS.
• He has been stuffed for no gain or a loss on just 10.1 percent of his career carries, good for the fourth-lowest tally among all active backs at both levels (min. 300 attempts). He is top-35 in the FBS in the category this season
• He is currently averaging 3.8 yards after contact per career rush - tied for 13th among all active FBS/FCS backs. His 3.8 yards after contact per rush this season are 20th in the FBS and his 258 total yards after contact are fifth.
• He now has 14 total 100+ rushing yard performances in his career, with four coming at Arizona State.
• Skattebo was a a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award for the nation's most versatile player after doing a little of everything last season, recording over 50 snaps at quarterback, over 350 at running back, two at tight end, over 100 as either a slot receiver or wide wide receiver, three on kick return and over five on punt coverage
• He also punted eight times for a team-best 42.3 yards per punt on eight punts, none of which were returned - one of just three punters in the country with 8+ punts in the country to lay such a claim - and three punts over 50 yards.

Boo Shiesty

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

When the Leavitt breaks

• Sam Leavitt is one of just 3 quarterbacks in the FBS who has not been credited with a turnover-worthy play by PFF this season (min. 75 drop backs). His lone interception came on a tipped ball off his receiver's hands to a defender 10 yards downfield.
• Leavitt has shown his ability to keep his composure under pressure, with 175 passing yards while pressured - good for 15th nationally. He has two touchdown passes  this season coming while being pressured, giving him a tie for third in the nation in under-pressure touchdown passes.  
• His 113.5 NFL QBR while under pressure is ninth in the nation. He has picked up a first down with his arm 10 times on 34 pressures - eighth-most in the FBS.
• Leavitt has rushed for 138 yards this season on 13 QB scrambles, the yardage tied for the second-most among quarterbacks in the FBS.
• With sack plays excluded, his 177 rushing yards total are 18th among FBS quarterbacks. He is sixth among FBS quarterbacks with three touchdown rushes.
• He has picked up a first down or touchdown on 37.5 percent of those scrambles under pressure, good for 19th among FBS quarterbacks. His 1D/TD% of 29.0 percent overall is 32nd in the FBS. His 10.6 yards per carry on scrambles is second in the FBS (min. 7 scrambles).
• Leavitt has the nation's third-best rushing grade when scrambling this season at 76.8. His 73.4 overall rushing grade is 9th among FBS quarterbacks.
• Sam Leavitt's Sun Devil debut against Wyoming was about as good as anyone could have asked for with the redshirt freshman throwing for 258 yards on 14-of-22 passing, recording two touchdowns and no interceptions while also adding 47 rushing yards.
• The 258 passing yards with the third-most by a Sun Devil making his debut since 1996, behind only Joey Yellen (292, 2019) and Jayden Daniels (284, 2019).

Keep them in front of you

• ASU has allowed just 19 plays over 50 yards to opponents since the 2018 season over 70 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 fourth-lowest amount in the FBS in that time.
• ASU allowed just 22 total plays over 30 yards last season, tied for 35th in the FBS. It has allowed just two such plays this season, tied for 19th in the country.
• Since 2018, ASU has allowed just 112 total 30-plus yard plays (1.6 per game/70 games)). That is the fourth-lowest tally in the FBS in that time behind Iowa (89), Northwestern (102) and Washington (111) (James Madison, Sam Houston State and Kennesaw State excluded as they joined the FBS after 2018). For perspective, from 2014-17, ASU gave up 38, 44, 40, 40 such plays each season, respectively ranked 116th, 124th, 117th and 119th.

Rule of thirds

• The Sun Devils were among the worst teams in the nation on third downs last season, both converting and defending - ranking 120th in converting just 31.76 percent of their attempts and 91st in allowing opponents to convert 40.99 percent of theirs.
• While the sample size is small, the Sun Devils certainly showed immense improvement in the category in through the first three as the team  has converted 43.48 percent of its opportunities (20-of-46) - the 51st-best tally in the FBS - while limiting opponents to just 34.15 percent of theirs (14-of-41) - 58th-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 81.3 percent of its chances (13 of 16) - good for 18th nationally.
• The Sun Devils are averaging 6.5 yards per third down play on offense, the 28th-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 2.5 yards per third down to opponent offenses - the 12th-lowest total in the country after allowing 5.3 per third down play a year ago (67th).

Special teams, special players

• The field position battle was one ASU frequently lost a season ago, but showed glimpses of improvement early in 2024.
• ASU has had just .071 percent of its offensive drives this season start inside its own 20-yard line this year - the 13th-lowest tally nationally.
• ASU's average starting field position has been its own 31.7 yard line - the 29th-best in the nation - while holding opponents to a starting average of their own 28.3 yard line. ASU's average starting field position a season ago was its own 25.3 yard line compared to opponents starting on their own 34.8.
• The net 3.4 yardage difference this season is good for 40th 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 eighth in the country with 17 touchbacks (of 20 kickoffs) this season and his 64.8 yards per kickoff is 18th.
• Kicker Ian Hershey is eighth in the country with six field goals made this season (8 attempts).
• In Charlie Ragle's first season as the Special Teams Coordinator, the Sun Devils set a new school record for fewest yards allowed on kick returns.
• Ragle's unit only allowed 246 kick return yards on 15 attempts, breaking the previous record set in 1946 (247 yards on 9 returns).
• The 16.4 yards per kick return by opponents also set a new program record, eclipsing the previous mark of 16.6 set in 1950 (829 yards on 50 returns).
• The 16.4 tally was good for 16th in the FBS a season ago. Opponents are currently averaging just 15.80 yards per kick return this year, 33rd in the FBS.
• 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.
• Shamari Simmons has allowed just 40 yards after the catch in slot coverage this season, the 31st-lowest total in the country among slot defenders despite playing the seventh-most snaps in the slot (84). His 75 total yards allowed are 29th-lowest in the country (min. 50 plays in slot defense). His 0.89 yards allowed per slot coverage snap is the 20th-lowest total in the FBS.
• Xavion Alford has allowed just two receptions in coverage this season, tied for the third-fewest among Big 12 secondary players (min. 75 coverage snaps). His 20 yards allowed are sixth-lowest among those players.
• Javan Robinson is seventh among Big 12 corners with just 62 yards allowed in coverage this season while being targeted just 11 times - tied for the sixth-lowest among league corners.
• The secondary has allowed just 13 catches for 103 yards on third downs this season - a yardage total good for 43rd nationally
• Opponents have just a 66.3 NFL QBR rating on third downs against ASU this season. The group ranked 113th nationally a season ago in allowing opponents a 96.1 NFL QBR on third down passing
• ASU has allowed just 5.4 yards after the catch per completion since 2020 - the 32nd-lowest tally in the FBS.
• ASU has given up just 2.01 yards after contact per reception - the 18th-lowest tally in the FBS.
• ASU has allowed just 68 passing touchdowns since the start of 2020 - tied for the 30th-fewest in the FBS. The team has allowed a touchdown on just 4.7 percent of passes thrown against it in that time (68/1461) - the 50th-lowest tally in the FBS.
• Since 2020, the 6.93 opponent passing yards per attempt allowed are 38th in the FBS.
• Since 2018, the Sun Devil secondary has allowed just 36 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 sixth-highest graded edge defender in the Big 12 on defense (78.9) and No. 30 among all edge defenders in the FBS.
• ASU is third in the Big 12 in sack conversion percentage (sacks/total pressures) at 26.5 percent a tally good for 40th in the FBS. This comes despite blitzing only 29.6 percent of the time, the 44th-lowest average in the country.
• Clayton Smith is tied for 12th in the Big 12 with 10 quarterback pressures this season with fellow edge Elijah O'Neal right behind him in 15th with 9.
• C.J. Fite's average depth of tackle on run plays is 1.00 yards from the line of scrimmage, good for second among interior lineman in the Big 12 and 19th nationally.
• A year ago, Fite played the fourth-most snaps of any true freshman defender in the Pac-12 and tops among all defensive linemen... He was Top-50 among all true freshmen defenders in the FBS in snaps played and his 350 snaps were third among all true freshmen interior defensive lineman in the FBS for the season.
• Among FBS true AND redshirt freshmen, Fite's 71.3 grade from PFF on run defense was fifth in the country. That mark was good for 13th among all Pac-12 interior defenders, regardless of year.
• ASU's interior linemen as a whole last season had 22 combined tackles for loss or no gain on rushes - good for 13th in the FBS. Those interior linemen had an average depth of tackle of just 1.49 yards, the 23rd-lowest tally in the FBS.
• The Sun Devil defense was successful 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.
• ASU's offensive linemen have been credited with just 18 pressures allowed this season, good for 55th in the country after ranking 80th in the category a year ago.
• ASU's quarterbacks have had an average time to throw of 2.81 seconds this season, good for 45th 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 48.4 percent of his dropbacks this season, the 54th-lowest tally in the FBS (out of 125 QBs with 50+ dropbacks). For perspective, last season, Trenton Bourguet had less than 2.50 seconds to throw the ball 65.9 percent of the time - the second-MOST of any quarterback in the FBS.
• Ben Coleman ranks tied for ninth among all FBS guards with just one QB pressure allowed this year (min. 75 pass block snaps). His 82.2 pass blocking grade is 33rd among FBS guards.
• Leif Fautanu has yet to be credited with a QB pressure allowed this season, one of just 11 centers in the FBS to lay such a claim (min. 75 pass block snaps). His 82.0 pass-blocking grade is 19th among FBS centers.
• Fautanu has played 2,861 snaps in his career, third-most among FBS centers behind only NMSU's Canaan Yarro (2,990) and Texas' Jake Majors (2,879) and has started 45 consecutive games in his career.
• Max Iheanachor is currently the seventh-highest graded tackle in the Big 12 as a run blocker (70.8) and Top-50 in the nation in the category.
• Last season, despite being the only FBS team to see at least 11 different combinations of its starting five offensive linemen due to unprecedented bad luck on the injury front, ASU allowed just 13 total sacks in its final eight games (including four games with no sacks) compared to 17 in the first four games.  The 13 sacks in the last 8 games are 42nd-lowest in that time while the 17 in the first four weeks were sixth-WORST in the country.
• The team allowed a knockdown percentage of 11.1 percent in the final eight games and is right in the middle of the FBS. Through the first four weeks of the season, ASU's knockdown percentage was 21.9 - 7th worst in the FBS.

Getting defensive

• ASU's defense will look to build upon a solid base in its second season under defensive coordinator Brian Ward, who was named a candidate for the 2023 Broyles Award, given annually to the top assistant coach in college football.
• ASU has allowed just 270.0 yards per game, good for that is 30th nationally. Opponents are averaging just 4.45 yards per play - 36th in the country.
• It should be noted that 74 of Wyoming's 118 total yards came on its final drive against ASU's deep reserves and walk-ons and required the Cowboys to take all three of their timeouts in a 48-0 game to accomplish. Against Mississippi State, 80 yards came on a broken tackle on a wide receiver screen that led to ASU's only 30+ yard play allowed this season. Both plays occured in the fourth quarter. Those instances represent 154 of the 810 yards allowed by ASU this year (19.0 percent).
• ASU's defense currently ranks 30th in overall defensive EPA at -0.079.
• The team has allowed defenses to pick up just 31.4 of their available yards, the 26th-lowest total nationally.
• The defense has yet to let an opponent score on a drive starting within its own 20-yard line.
• The defense has let the opponent cross the 50 yard line just 11 times on 36 drives this season (30.6 percent), excluding drives that started inside ASU's own 50 due to turnovers/special teams. Only 27.0 percent of opponents drives have resulted in a touchdown or field goal attempt, the 24th-lowest total in the FBS. Opponents have scored a touchdown or had a field goal attempt just 72.7 percent of the time when reaching ASU's 40-yard line - the 23rd-lowest total in the country.
• ASU has been credited with just 26 missed tackles on defense, ranking as the 46th-fewest in the country this season. The team has been especially stout against the run, missing just eight tackles on run plays - tied for the 17th-lowest tally in the country. The Sun Devils were Top-40 in the country last season in only being credited with 129 missed tackles on defense.
• Since 2018, ASU has held opponents to the 400 or less mark for total offensive yards on 39 occasions over 70 games (55.7 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 two for two in that category this year: Mississippi State (23/56.0), Texas State (28/41.5),.
• 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 21st nationally and fourth in the Big 12 in averaging 229.3 rushing yards per game this year.
• The group is averaging a first down or touchdown 32.4 percent of the time, good for 28th nationally.
• The rushing attack has been especially efficient with ASU earning 70.2 percent of its total yards AFTER contact, the 32nd-best tally nationally. The group's 3.6 yards after contact per rush are 31st 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 (103) and Xavier Guillory (96) ranked third and fifth among all FBS receivers in wide receiver run block snaps.
• Tyson is the nation's 22nd-highest graded run blocker as a wide receiver on zone blocking plays at 70.1.
• ASU has forced 34 missed tackles on run plays this season, 13th-most in the FBS.
• 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 95 rushing touchdowns since the beginning of 2020 are 48th among all FBS teams. ASU has accomplished the feat in 44 games, where none of the teams ranked ahead of ASU have fewer than 49 games over the last four-plus seasons.  
• The team's 20.5 touchdown drive percentage ending with rushing touchdowns in that time is 11th in the FBS.
• ASU has received a team rushing grade of 95.6 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 18.4 percent of its rushes - good for the 35th-lowest tally in the FBS. The team has averaged 3.2 yards after contact per rush in that time - tied for 28th in the FBS.
• Since 2020, ASU has picked up a first down or touchdown on 30.8 percent of its rushes - 13th-most in the FBS. The team is averaging 5.4 yards per rush in that time, tied for 29th in the FBS.
• Since 2018, ASU has rushed for 100+ yards in 53 of 70 games (75.7 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 65.3 rushing yards per game, the 11th-best total in the country. ASU was 36th in the FBS in allowing just 133.5 rush yards per game to opponents last season.
• ASU is one of nine teams in the country ranked in the Top-25 of both rushing offense and defense.
• Eight times in 15 games under Kenny Dillingham and Brian Ward has ASU held an opponent under 100 rushing yards in a game, including two of three games this season.
• Shamari Simmons has the seventh-best run defense score among FBS corners at 81.0. His four tackles on run plays are tied for 35th among all FBS corners.
• In fact, all three of ASU's corners rank in the Top-50 nationally among FBS cornerbacks in run defense grades (Javan Robinson, 24th, 76.7/Keith Abney, 38th, 74.3) - marking ASU as the only team in the country to lay such a claim.
• Keyshaun Elliott is 10th among Big 12 linebackers with a stop percentage of 11..3 percent on run plays this year. He is tied for 40th among FBS linebackers with just one missed tackle this season.
• Myles Rowswer has the 28th-highest run-blocking grade among safeties in the FBS at 79.9
• 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 attributed to the Sun Devil secondary as well, which received a positive rush defense grade on 17.3 percent of run plays this season from PFF, the 32nd-highest tally among safeties and corners in the FBS.

A hand in the cookie jar

• Arizona State only had eight takeaways all of last year. It already has seven (3 interceptions and 4 fumble recoveries) through 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 (3 vs. Wyoming, 3 at Texas State).
• ASU is one of just five teams in the country with a fumble recovery in each of its first three games. ASU has four fumble recoveries already this season after having just four total a season ago.
• ASU is one of five teams in the country with at least five fumble recoveries without losing a fumble of its own this year.
• 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 934-537 in points off takeaways since 2012 and 27-0 this season.
• Since 2012, ASU has scored 64.0 percent of the time following an opponent turnover (160 of 250) while finding the end zone 115 times in that span (46.0 percent).
• Conversely, opponents have scored just 49.5 percent of the time following an ASU turnover since 2012 (96 of 194) with 68 touchdowns (35.1 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 the 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)