By Packy Moore

UTAH GAME NOTES

https://utahutes.com/documents/2024/10/7/_6__at_Arizona_State.pdf

THE GAME
The University of Utah Football team is headed to Tempe, Ariz., to take on the Arizona State Sun Devils under the lights on Friday, Oct. 11. The game is set for an 8:30 p.m. MDT kick on ESPN.

FOLLOW ALONG
Fans can get behind the scenes views and live updates on social media and online at www.UtahUtes.com throughout the 2024 season. The Utes are active on Twitter (@Utah_Football), Instagram (@UtahFootball), Facebook (search Utah Football) and TikTok (@Utah_Football).

NEW CONFERENCE, SAME TRADITION
Utah Football has begun a new era in 2024, joining the Big 12 Conference. The Utes have also been a part of the Rocky Mountain Conference (1910-1937), the Big Seven (1938-1947), the Skyline (1948-1961), the Western Athletic Conference (1962-1998), the Mountain West (1999-2010) and the Pac-12 (2011-2023).

• Utah is 446-261-19 all-time in conference games (.627), including its first win in the Big 12 against Oklahoma State (Sept. 21, 2024, W, 22-19).
• Utah is 32-11 in conference games since 2019.
• The Utes bring 28 conference championships with them to the Big 12.
• The Utes have won a conference championship in their first year in a new conference three times (1938, 1st in Big Seven; 1948, 1st in Skyline; 1999, tied for 1st in Mountain West).

THE NUMBERS

• Head Coach Kyle Whittingham is set to coach in his 373rd overall game at Utah and his 247th as head coach on Friday.
• Utah is only allowing opponents to convert on third downs 24-percent of the time, which ranks first in the Big 12 and fourth in the FBS.
• Utah is leading the Big 12 and ranks second in the FBS in time of possession (35:27).
• Entering the game Friday, Utah and Arizona State will be facing off for the 35th time.

UTAH FOOTBALL: NEED TO KNOWS

• Utah enters the week ranked No. 16 in the AP and No. 17 in the Coaches Poll. The Utes have been ranked inside the top-25 all six weeks this season.
• Utah’s defense is only allowing 12.6 first downs per game, ranking first in the Big 12 and third in the FBS in first downs defense.
• Utah is averaging 2.4 sacks per game in 2024, which leads the Big 12.
• The Utes have posted a winning record in 10 straight seasons, dating back to 2014. Utah has also finished with a winning season in 17 of Whittingham’s 19 years as head coach.
• In its first year in the Big 12, Utah was voted to win the conference in the preseason media poll with the most first place votes.

OFFICIAL MOBILE APP OF UTAH ATHLETICS – UTAH 360
The official mobile app of Utah Athletics is Utah 360. Download it today to unlock a refreshed game-day experience that offers access to news and information, schedules, rosters, stats and behind-the-scenes videos, and allows fans to buy and manage game tickets and order concessions straight from their mobile device. The app is available in both the Apple Store (download) and Google Play (download). Add it today, access your game tickets and download them to your smartphone’s wallet to make yourself game-day ready!

PDF of Game Notes

Coach Kenny Dillingham Weekly Press Conference

Sun Devil Football 2024

Support the Sun Devils

Follow us on X

THE GAME –  Sun Devil Football is set for some Friday Night Lights action as it welcomes No. 16/17 Utah for a huge Big 12 tilt this Friday, Oct. 11 at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe. Scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. AZT kickoff, the contest will be broadcast on ESPN (Anish Shroff, Andre Ware, Paul Carcaterra) and available over the local airwaves in Arizona on ESPN 620 AM (Tim Healey, Jeff Van Raaphorst, Kevin Turner, Jeff Munn).

ON THE UTES – Arizona State leads the all-time series, 22-12, though the momentum has shifted vastly into Utah’s favor in recent years with the Utes winning four-straight and six of the last eight games between the two programs. ASU has not finished within 14 points of Utah in any of those six losses. The contest will matchup the Big 12’s two top-ranked teams in time of possession with Utah leading the way at 35:27 with ASU checking in at 32:32. The two teams are also tied for the Big 12 lead in averaging 2.40 sacks per game.

KICKING OFF

• The Sun Devils are outscoring opponents 42-3 in the “middle eight” of games (final four minutes of the 2nd quarter and the first four minutes of the 3rd quarter). ASU has eight scores in the final five minutes of the second and fourth quarters – the 15th-best total nationally.
• ASU has run a “successful” offensive play 41.8 percent of the time this season (40 percent of the yards to go on first, 60 percent on second and 100 percent on third and fourth) – a tally good for 16th nationally after the team was 115th in the FBS a year ago with just a 31.0 successful play percentage.
• The Sun Devil offense is gaining at least four years per play 71.4 percent of the time this season, the 13th-best total in the FBS after sitting 119th in the category a year ago with a 4+ yard play just 42.1 percent of the time.

  A LOOK BACK – KANSAS

• Cam Skattebo (182 rushing yards, touchdown) was named the Big 12 Co-Offensive Player of the Week and Sam Leavitt (4 passing touchdowns, 77 rushing yards) was named the league’s Newcomer of the Week following the pair’s efforts in a last-minute win over the Jayhawks.
• Leavitt’s four passing touchdowns were tied for the most in the FBS for Week 6 while Skattebo’s 182 rushing yards were second for the week. Sam Leavitt is the first ASU quarterback to throw 4 Touchdowns in a game since Joey Yellen did so against vs. USC on Nov. 9, 2019. It was the first time Kansas had allowed four passing touchdowns in a game since Brock Purdy of Iowa State on Oct. 2, 2021
• Leavitt’s eight rushing first downs were 7th in the country and 2nd among quarterbacks. In fact, 80 percent of his rushes resulted in a first down – the most of any player in the country.
• He also forced nine missed tackles on running plays by PFF’s metrics, the third-most nationally. He was also third nationally with nine rushing first downs.
• Arizona State had 313 yards rushing, eclipsing the 300-yard mark on the ground for the second time this season. The last time ASU had two games of 300-yards rushing or more in a season was back in 2012 (vs. NAU & vs. Navy).
• The victory ended ASU’s five-game losing streak after a bye week dating back to 2019 (the 2020 “bye week” was a month off while ASU dealt with COVID issues). ASU entered the game 2-9 in its previous 11 games following a bye week.
• Arizona State went 6-for-6 on third down conversions in the second half after going 0-for-4 in the first half.
• After putting together a seven play 75-yard scoring drive to open the game, the Sun Devils have now scored on the opening drive in four of first five games. It was also the first time Kansas has allowed a touchdown on an opening drive this season.

  AN ASU VICTORY WOULD…

• Improve ASU to 5-1 for the first time – officially – since 2019 (ASU’s eight wins and 5-1 record in 2021 were vacated).
• Snap Utah’s four-game winning streak in the series dating back to 2019 and give ASU just its third win in the series since the 2015 campaign.
• End Utah’s five-game winning streak when the Utes are coming off a bye week
• Give ASU consecutive wins in conference games for the first time since 2020 (accounting for ASU’s eight vacated wins in 2021).
• Be ASU’s first win over a ranked opponent since defeating No. 6 Oregon on Nov. 23, 2019 (ASU’s 2022 victory over Washington and 2021 victory over UCLA were vacated).

#10THINGS (Twitter-Friendly Notes)

1. 1.) ASU has scored a touchdown/recorded a field goal attempt on 55.1% of its drives, 24th-most in the FBS. Only 37.3% of opponent drives have done the same – a net 17.8% difference that’s 24th-best in the FBS.
2. 2.) Sam Leavitt’s 354 passing yards while under pressure this season are good for ninth in the country.

   3.) The Sun Devils have allowed just five plays over 30 yards this season, tied for the 13th-fewest in the country.

   4.) After ranking 120th in converting just 31.76 percent of their attempts last year, the team is currently sitting 44th in the country in converting 44.29 percent of its third down attempts

   5.) ASU is outscoring opponents 42-3 in the “middle eight” of games this year (last four minutes of first half and first four minutes of second half).

   6.) The Sun Devils have recorded eight scores this season in the final five minutes of the first and second halves, the 15th-best total nationally.

   7.) The Sun Devil defense has allowed just a paltry 3.8 yards per third down to opponent offenses – the 15th-lowest total in the country after allowing 5.3 per third down play a year ago (67th).

   8.) Ben Coleman has allowed just one QB pressure this season, tied for the third-fewest among all FBS guards with at least 100 pass block snaps.

   9.) ASU was dead last in net field position last year at an average of -9.5 yards. The team has improved to 57th this season with a +1.0 average on average starting field position to date.

4. 10.) Cam Skattebo has picked up a first down or touchdown on 37.4 percent of his career rushes, tops among all active running backs at the FBS AND FBS levels.

BY THE NUMBERS

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

55 – ASU has scored a touchdown or recorded a field goal attempt on 55.1 percent of its drives this season, 22nd-most in the FBS. Only 37.3 percent of opponent drives have done the same. The net +17.8 percent difference in 24th-best in the FBS. The offense is averaging 2.82 points per drive this season, a tally good for 32nd in the country while the team’s +.62 net points per drive total over opponents is 44th.. The offense has picked up 56.4 percent of its available yards on the year, good for 25th in the country while the team’s +16.2 net available yards percentage over opponents is the 20th-best in the FBS.

3 – Leif Fautanu has played 3,003 career snaps, the third-most snaps among active centers in the FBS behind only NMSU’s Canaan Yarro (3,060) and Texas’ Jake Majors (3,008). He started all 12 games for the Sun Devils a year ago, playing all but one snap of the season (helmet came off) for the team at center (850). He has started in 48 career games with 42 coming consecutively. Fautanu has just two pressures credited against him, tied for 17th-fewest among FBS centers (min. 100 pass block snaps). His 1.2 pressure allowed percentage is 22nd among FBS centers. His 84.3 pass-blocking grade is 12th among FBS centers.

3 – Playing the 10th-most snaps in coverage in the Big 12 this season (172), Xavion Alford has allowed just three receptions in coverage, tied for the fourth-fewest among Big 12 secondary players (min. 100 coverage snaps) and 24th-fewest in the FBS. Opponents have chosen to throw his way on just 3.5 percent of coverage snaps, the 10th-lowest total among all FBS players.He has allowed just 20 yards in coverage this season – fourth-lowest among Big 12 players and 12th in the FBS.. He has allowed just 0.12 yards per coverage snap this season, third-lowest in the Big 12 and eighth in the FBS.Alford has forced an incompletion 50.0 percent of the time when targeted, the second-best tally among all FBS players.

2 – ASU’s average depth of tackle on run plays is within 3.75 yards, second-best in the Big 12 and 25th nationally. The big men up front on the defensive line have a depth of tackle average of 2.00 yards, 38th nationally and second in the Big 12. C.J. Fite’s average depth of tackle on run plays is 1.18 yards from the line of scrimmage, good for 7th among interior lineman in the Big 12. His 10 defensive “stops” on run defense are fifth among Big 12 interior linemen and 16th in the FBS. His four tackles for loss or no gain are third in the league and 15th in the FBS. ASU is in the FBS 11th with a rushing defensive EPA of -0.109. The team has missed just 21 tackles on run plays – 32nd-fewest in the FBS.

1 – Sam Leavitt is tied for first in the FBS with just one turnover-worthy throw this season, according to Pro Football Focus. Leavitt has shown his ability to keep his composure under pressure, with 354 passing yards of his 1,012 total passing yards this year coming while pressured – good for ninth nationally. He has three touchdown passes  this season coming while being pressured, also tied for ninth in the country. His 54.3 completion percentage while being pressured is 15th among FBS quarterbacks. His 94.2 NFL QBR while under pressure is 14th in the nation. He has picked up a first down with his arm 19 times on 57 pressures – 7th-most in the FBS.

MILESTONE WATCH

• Running back Cam Skattebo is 10 receiving yards away from reaching 1,000 receiving yards in his career (currently at 990)
• Wide receiver Xavier Guillory is 259 receiving yards away from reaching 2,000 receiving yards in his career (currently at 1,741)
• Wide receiver Melquan Stovall is 58 receiving yards away from reaching 1,500 receiving yards in his career (currently at 1,442). Stovall appeared in his 50th career game tonight. He is 5 catches away from reaching 150 for his career (currently at 145)
• Linebacker Caleb McCullough is 4 games played away from appearing in 40 games in his career, all in an ASU uniform (currently at 36)
• Linebacker Keyshaun Elliott needs 26 tackles to reach 200 for his career (currently at 174)
• Simmons needs 2 more pass defenses to reach 30 passes defended in his career (currently at 28)

  MAKING THE GRADE (NOTABLE PFF GRADES)

• Redshirt freshman QB Sam Leavitt is currently the nation’s second-highest graded freshman (true or redshirt) quarterback by PFF (80.5) behind only Texas’ Arch Manning (91.3), though it can be noted Leavitt has played nearly twice as many snaps (342 to 177).
• Leavitt was the highest graded quarterback in the Big 12 and ninth-highest in the FBS oin Week 6. He received the 15th-highest grade among all offensive players regardless of position (89.4) according to PFF.
• Cam Skattebo was the 8th-highest graded running back in the nation for the week (80.2).
• Skattebo is the nation’s ninth-highest graded running back for the season (83.2)
• Ben Coleman’s 89.2 pass blocking grade is fourth among all FBS guards and 11th among all FBS players, regardless of position.
• Xavion Alford is 13th-highest graded safety in coverage this season (82.8) and the FBS’ 30th-highest-graded defender in coverage, regardless of position.

  SIX DEGREES OF SUN DEVIL-ATION

• Utah Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Line Coach Jim Harding was the OL Coach at Wyoming in 2009 and 2010 while Arizona State Offensive Coordinator Marcus Arroyo was the Quarterbacks coach.
• Utah Safety Alaka’i Gilman and Linebacker Levani Damuni played under Arizona State Defensive Line coach Diron Reynolds from 2020-2022.
• Utah Wide Receiver Kaimana Hanohano, Utah OL Caleb Lomu, and ASU OL Makua Pule attended Highland High School together.
• Utah OL Falcon Kaumatule and ASU OL Cade Briggs attended Bishop Gorman HS in Las Vegas together.
• Utah Long Snapper Justice Brusatto was the long snapper at Idaho State in 2022 under current ASU Special Teams coordinator and 2022 Idaho State Head Coach Charlie Ragle. Brusatto was also teammates with ASU WR Xavier Guillory, PK Ian Hershey, and DL Myles Amey.
• Utah WR Mycah Pittman was teammates with ASU WR Malik McClain and TE Markeston Douglas at Florida State in 2022.
• Utah WR Mycah Pittman was teammates with ASU OL Bram Walden and P Race Malhum at the University of Oregon in 2021.
• Utah WR Dorian Singer was teammates with Arizona State RB Raleek Brown at USC in 2023 and teammates with ASU DL Jacob Kongaika (2022) and DB Adama Fall (2021-22) at the University of Arizona.

  WILD SKATT

• Cam Skattebo is 8th among all active FBS AND FCS running backs with 3,296 career rushing yards while his 6.2 yards per carry are 11th in that group. (min. 300 carries). He is 6th in the FBS this season with 615 yards rushing and third in the FBS in all-purpose yards per game at 164.80 – tops in the Big 12
• He has forced 192 career missed tackles on rushing plays, 4th among active FBS/FCS halfbacks while his 0.36 missed tackles forced per rushing attempt are fifth (min. 300 attempts). He is 7th among FBS running backs this season wtih 33 missed tackles forced on rushing plays.
• Skattebo has rushed for a first down or touchdown on 37.4 percent of his career carries, tops among all active FBS/FCS backs (min. 300 attempts). He has rushed for a first down or touchdown on 38.4 percent of his rushes this year, good for ninth in the FBS.
• He has been stuffed for no gain or a loss on just 10.0 percent of his career carries, good for the third-lowest tally among all active backs at both levels (min. 300 attempts). His 14.3 stuff rate this season is 35th among running backs.
• He is currently averaging 3.8 yards after contact per career rush – tied for 15th among all active FBS/FCS backs. His 3.7 yards after contact per rush this season are 35th in the FBS and his 411 total yards after contact are 12th.
• He has 15 total 100+ rushing yard performances in his career, with five coming at Arizona State.
• Skattebo was a a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award for the nation’s most versatile player after doing a little of everything last season, recording over 50 snaps at quarterback, over 350 at running back, two at tight end, over 100 as either a slot receiver or wide wide receiver, three on kick return and over five on punt coverage
• He also punted eight times for a team-best 42.3 yards per punt on eight punts, none of which were returned – one of just three punters in the country with 8+ punts in the country to lay such a claim – and three punts over 50 yards.

  BOO SHIESTY

• With his 117-yard receiving yard effort against Texas Tech, Cam Skattebo (pronounced BOO) became the first ASU running back to have over 100 receiving yards in a game since Kalen Ballage on Nov. 10, 2016 at Utah (113).
• His 209 total receiving yards this season are third among FBS running backs and his 15 receptions are 16th.
• He lis third in the nation with 210 yards after the catch among the FBS running backs – a total good for 28th among all players, regardless of position.
• His 92 receiving yards after contact are 34th among all FBS players and third among FBS running backs.
• His eight first downs receiving are fifth among FBS running backs, as are his 13.9 yards per catch.

  SKAT BACK

• Skattebo has twice been named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week. He is one of just three running backs in the country to have two games with at least 180 rushing yards (Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty and Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson).
• Skattebo had the game of his career against Mississippi State in Week 2, rushing for a career high 262 yards on 33 carries in the 30-23 victory. He was named the AP National Offensive Player of the Week, The Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week and the Doak Walker Running Back of the Week for the effort.
• The 262 yards were 50 more than any other player in the FBS for the week. Skattebo rushed for 155 yards AFTER contact in the contest, which alone was more than all but seven players in the country had for TOTAL rushing  yardage in their games in Week 2.
• Skattebo’s 262 were the second-most in a single game for a Sun Devil EVER, behind only Eno Benjamin’s 2018 school record of 312 against Oregon State.
• Skattebo had 19 first downs rushing against MSU, eight more than any other FBS player in Week 2. He had a first down/touchdown rate of 57.6, which was eighth in the country overall (min. 10 carries), but notable as no player ahead of him had more than 14 carries compared to his 33.
• Skattebo’s 85.8 grade as a rusher from PFF is fourth among all FBS running backs this season and his Week Two grade of 84.6 was third among FBS backs – though the two ahead of him had just 14 and 13 rushes in their efforts.
• 93 of Skattebo’s yards came in the fourth quarter, including a game-best 39-yard run on the final drive to seal the victory.
• He becomes the first Sun Devil to go over 30 carries since Rachaad White had 32 carries against Washington on Nov. 13, 2021. His 137 rushing yards at half was the most by a Sun Devil since Eno Benjamin had 185 against Oregon State on Sept. 29, 2018.
• It was the most rushing yards by one individual against Mississippi State since at least 2004.

  WHEN THE LEAVITT BREAKS

• Redshirt freshman QB Sam Leavitt is currently the nation’s second-highest graded freshman (true or redshirt) quarterback by PFF (80.5) behind only Texas’ Arch Manning (91.3), though it can be noted Leavitt has played nearly twice as many snaps (342 to 177).
• Leavitt is tied for first in the FBS with just one turnover-worthy throw this season, according to Pro Football Focus.
• Leavitt has shown his ability to keep his composure under pressure, with 354 passing yards while pressured – good for ninth nationally. He has three touchdown passes  this season coming while being pressured, also tied for ninth in the country.
• His 54.3 completion percentage while being pressured is 15th among FBS quarterbacks.
• His 94.2 NFL QBR while under pressure is 14th in the nation. He has picked up a first down with his arm 19 times on 57 pressures – 7th-most in the FBS.
• Leavitt has rushed for 211 yards this season on 24 QB scrambles, the yardage tied for the fourth-most among quarterbacks in the FBS.
• With sack plays excluded, his 282 rushing yards total are 21st among FBS quarterbacks. He is eighth among FBS quarterbacks with four touchdown rushes. his 19 first downs rushing are 14th.
• He has picked up a first down or touchdown on 45.8 percent of those scrambles under pressure, good for 25th among FBS quarterbacks.
• Leavitt has the nation’s 6th-best rushing grade when scrambling this season at 77.8. His 74.7 overall rushing grade is 28th among FBS quarterbacks.
• Leavitt was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week following his four touchdown effort against Kansas, including the game-winner with less than a minute remaining. The four touchdowns were the most for any quarterback in the country in Week 6 as he was the highest-graded quarterback in the Big 12 for the week by PFF and ninth best in the FBS (89.4).
• 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 72 games – the third-fewest in the FBS in that time behind only Washington (16) and Kentucky (18). The FBS average in that span is 41.16 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 catches for 50 or more yards in that span, tied for the fourth-lowest amount in the FBS in that time.
• The Sun Devils have  allowed just five plays overs 30 yards this season, tied for the 13th-lowest total in the country. ASU allowed just 22 total plays over 30 yards last season, which was 35th in the FBS.
• Since 2018, ASU has allowed just 115 TOTAL 30-plus yard plays (1.6 per game/72 games)). That is the third-lowest tally in the FBS in that time behind Iowa (890) and Northwestern (105) (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 converting third downs last season, ranking 120th in converting just 31.76 percent of their attempts.
• The team has shown vast improvements in the area, currently sitting 44th in the country in converting 44.29 percent of its third down attempts – 31-of-70
• The team has been solid at converting its short-yardage situations, picking up a first down on 3rd- or 4th-and-3 or less on 75.9 percent of its chances (22 of 29) – good for 25th nationally.
• ASU’s success on short third downs has come by way of its success on picking up more yards on first down to set up short yardage situations, where ASU has improved to 56th in the country in averaging 6.2 yards per first down after being 98th (5.4) a season ago.
• The Sun Devils are averaging 5.7 yards per third down play on offense, the 60th-highest total in the country after ranking 112th a year ago at 4.4 yards per third down attempt.
• Conversely, the defense has allowed just a paltry 3.8 yards per third down to opponent offenses – the 15th-lowest total in the country after allowing 5.3 per third down play a year ago (67th).

  PLAYING THE FIELD

• The field position battle was one ASU frequently lost a season ago, but showed glimpses of improvement early in 2024.
• ASU has had just 10.2 percent of its offensive drives this season start inside its own 20-yard line this year – the 11th-lowest tally nationally.
• ASU’s average starting field position has been its own 29.7 yard line while holding opponents to a starting average of their own 28.7 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 -9.5 net field position yards ranked ASU dead last in the country (133 of 133), a tally that the Sun Devils are current sitting at a net +1.0 mark that is 57th nationally.
• The Sun Devils rank 25th nationally in picking up 56.4 of the yards available on offense while limiting opponents to picking up just 40.2 percent of theirs. The net 16.2 percent difference is the 20th-best total in the FBS.
• The defense has been exceptional in keeping opposing offenses pinned in their own territory, allowing opponents to pick up just 48.1 percent of the total yards available from the starting field position to the opponent’s own 40-yard line – the 6th-lowest percentage in the FBS.
• 55.1 percent of Sun Devil offensive drives have resulted in ASU scoring a touchdown or getting in range of a field goal attempt – good for 22nd nationally. Only 37.3 such opponent drives have done the same, a net 17.8 percent difference that is the 24th-best in the nation

  THE 100-YARD LANDLORD

• Xavion Alford has dubbed himself the @100YardLandlord across his social media platforms and has made sure to become eponymous with the title this season as ASU’s last line of defense in the secondary.
• Playing the 10th-most snaps in coverage in the Big 12 this season (172), Alford has allowed just three receptions in coverage, tied for the fourth-fewest among Big 12 secondary players (min. 100 coverage snaps) and 24th-fewest in the FBS.
• Opponents have chosen to throw his way on just 3.5 percent of coverage snaps, the 10th-lowest total among all FBS players.
• He has allowed just 20 yards in coverage this season – fourth-lowest among Big 12 players and 12th in the FBS..
• He has allowed just 0.12 yards per coverage snap this season, third-lowest in the Big 12 and eighth in the FBS.
• Alford has forced an incompletion 50.0 percent of the time when targeted, the second-best tally among all FBS players.
• He is the nation’s 13th-highest graded safety in coverage this season (82.8) and the FBS’ 30th-highest-graded defender in coverage, regardless of position.

  NO FLY ZONE

• Among FBS slot defenders, Shamari Simmons is one of just 22 players in the country not credited with a touchdown allowed (min. 100 snaps), despite playing the 13th-most slot coverage snaps in the country (142).
• His 142 total yards allowed are 24th-lowest in the country (min. 100 snaps in slot defense). His 1.00 yards allowed per slot coverage snap are the 16th-lowest total in the FBS. He has accomplished this despite being the seventh-most targeted slot defender in the country (31 targets)
• Javan Robinson is 12th among Big 12 corners in allowing just 11 receptions this season.
• ASU has allowed just 23 catches for 217 yards on third downs this season – a yardage total good for the 35th-lowest nationally.
• Opponents have just a 76.8 NFL QBR rating on third downs against ASU this season. The group ranked 113th nationally a season ago in allowing opponents a 96.1 NFL QBR on third down passing.
• The ASU defense has allowed just 6.46 yards per passing attempt this season, the 44th-lowest total in the country. The group was 88th a year ago with 7.54 yards allowed per attempt.
• Since 2018, the Sun Devil secondary has allowed just 36 total passing plays over 40 yards – the sixth-fewest in the FBS in that time. For perspective, it had 12 alone in 2017, 22 in 2016 and 24 in 2015 – the latter two ranking second to last and last, respectively, in the nation.

  IN THE TRENCHES

• ASU has the quickest average time to cause a QB pressure in the Big 12 at 2.38 seconds, a total good for 42nd nationally. The team has done that with largely four-man rushes on the year, blitzing just 30.1 percent of the time – the 38th-lowest total nationally with the team bringing just four rushers 126 times this year – 41st among all FBS teams.
• Clayton Smith is 12th in the Big 12 with 14 quarterback pressures this season.
• ASU’s average depth of tackle on run plays is within 3.75 yards, second-best in the Big 12 and 25th nationally. The big men up front on the defensive line have a depth of tackle average of 2.00 yards, 38th nationally and second in the Big 12.
• C.J. Fite’s average depth of tackle on run plays is 1.18 yards from the line of scrimmage, good for 7th among interior lineman in the Big 12. His 10 defensive “stops” on run defense are fifth among Big 12 interior linemen and 16th in the FBS. His four tackles for loss or no gain are third in the league and 15th in the FBS.
• 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.
• Justin Wodtly is the sixth-highest graded edge defender in the Big 12 on defense (71.5).
• ASU’s interior linemen as a whole last season had 22 combined tackles for loss or no gain on rushes – good for 13th in the FBS. Those interior linemen had an average depth of tackle of just 1.49 yards, the 23rd-lowest tally in the FBS.
• The Sun Devil defense was succesful in harrying opposing quarterbacks, giving team’s just an average of 2.37 seconds to throw the ball – the 20th-fastest time in the FBS.
• The team forced a quick pressure (less than 2.5 seconds to pressure) on 114 occasions – 26th-best in the FBS and the team’s overall 159 total pressures were 30th. These numbers come despite blitzing only 29.6 percent of the time – the 32nd-lowest percentage in the FBS.

  WHERE’S THE BEEF?

• The Sun Devil offensive line entered the 2024 season with  a combined 156 career starts spread amongst them entering the 2024 season, the fifth-highest tally in the country.
• The experienced group has done its part this season in protecting its quarterback and also paving the way for its rushers as the squad looks to be one of the more improved lines in the country based.
• ASU’s offensive linemen have received a 81.9 pass blocking grade from PFF as a group this season, the 25th-best tally nationally.  The group has allowed just seven sacks on the year, the 38th-lowest total in the FBS while being Top-50 in the country with just an 18.4 pressure percentage allowed.
• ASU’s quarterbacks have had an average time to throw of 3.21 seconds this season, good for 35th-best in the FBS after ranking 128th in the country a season ago at 2.48 seconds.
• The group is 23rd nationally with an average of 2.60 seconds before allowing a QB pressure. ASU was 117th a year ago with a 2.37 mark before giving up a QB pressure.
• Sam Leavitt has had less than 2.50 seconds to thow the ball on just 44.9 percent of his dropbacks this season, the 32nd-lowest tally in the FBS (out of 10 QBs with 125+ 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 third among all FBS guards with just one QB pressure allowed this year (min. 100 pass block snaps). His 0.6 pressure allowed percentage on 167 pass block snaps is 7th nationally among guards. His 89.2 pass blocking grade is fourth among all FBS guards and 11th among all FBS players, regardless of position.
• Leif Fautanu also has just two pressures credited against him, tied for 17th-fewest among FBS centers (min. 100 pass block snaps). His 1.2 pressure allowed percentage is 22nd among FBS centers. His 84.3 pass-blocking grade is 12th among FBS centers.
• Fautanu has played 3,003 snaps in his career, third-most among FBS centers behind only NMSU’s Canaan Yarro (3,060) and Texas’ Jake Majors (3,008) and has started 45 consecutive games in his career.
• Last season, despite being the only FBS team to see at least 11 different combinations of its starting five offensive linemen due to unprecedented bad luck on the injury front, ASU allowed just 13 total sacks in its final eight games (including four games with no sacks) compared to 17 in the first four games.  The 13 sacks in the last 8 games are 42nd-lowest in that time while the 17 in the first four weeks were sixth-WORST in the country.
• The team allowed a knockdown percentage of 11.1 percent in the final eight games and is right in the middle of the FBS. Through the first four weeks of the season, ASU’s knockdown percentage was 21.9 – 7th worst in the FBS.

  GETTING DEFENSIVE

• ASU’s defense will look to build upon a solid base in its second season under defensive coordinator Brian Ward, who was named a candidate for the 2023 Broyles Award, given annually to the top assistant coach in college football.
• ASU has allowed just 311.0 yards per game, good for that is 31st nationally. Opponents are averaging just 4.73 yards per play – 22nd in the country.
• ASU’s defense currently ranks 27th in overall defensive EPA at -0.065 and 11th with a rushing defensive EPA of -0.109..
• The team has allowed offenses to pick up just 40.2 of their available yards, the 35th-lowest total nationally.
• The defense has allowed just one drive this year longer than 80 yards to opponents.
• ASU has been stalwart in keeping opponents from getting across the 50, allowing other teams to pick up just 48.1 percent of their available yards up to their own 40-yard line – the sixth-lowest total in the FBS. The defense has let the opponent cross the 50 yard line just 24 times on 56 drives this season (42.9 percent), excluding drives that started inside ASU’s own 50 due to turnovers/failed fourth down conversions.
• Only 37.3 percent of opponent drives have resulted in a touchdown or field goal attempt, the 45th-lowest total in the FBS.
• ASU has been credited with just 21 missed tackles against the run – tied for the 32nd-lowest tally in the country. The Sun Devils were Top-40 in the country last season in only being credited with 129 missed tackles on defense.
• Since 2018, ASU has held opponents to the 400 or less mark for total offensive yards on 40 occasions over 72 games (55.6 percent of the time). For comparison, ASU accomplished the feat just 24 times in the 65 previous games (36.9 percent) from 2013-2017.
• ASU have  held opponents to 30 points or less in 47 of 72 games since 2018 (65.3 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.
• In eight of 11 games following the season opener last season, ASU held its opponent at or below its season scoring averaging entering the game (Oklahoma State 27/27.0, Fresno State 29/36.5, USC 42/59.3, Cal 24/32.8, Colorado 27/34.2, Washington 15/44.3, Washington State 27/32.9, UCLA 7/28.6). ASU is three for four in that category this year: Mississippi State (23/56.0), Texas State (28/41.5),  Texas Tech (30, 44.7), .

  GOLD RUSH

• The Sun Devils rank 16th nationally and fourth in the Big 12 in averaging 218.2 rushing yards per game this year.
• Twice this season, ASU has rushed for over 300 yards in a game – the first time it has accomplished that feat since 2012 (vs. NAU, vs. Navy).
• The group is averaging a first down or touchdown 33.8 percent of the time, good for 17th nationally.
• The rushing attack has been especially efficient in punishing opponents with ASU running backs earning 70.2 percent of its total yards AFTER contact, the 40th-best tally nationally. The group’s 3.7 yards after contact per rush are 29th 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 (160) has the 7th-most run-blocking snaps of any wide receiver in the FBS while Xavier Guillory is 18th (147).
• Tyson is the nation’s 13th-highest graded run blocker as a wide receiver on gap blocking plays at 72.0.
• ASU has forced 56 missed tackles on run plays this season, 16th-most in the FBS.
• The Sun Devils ranked 27th in the FBS in averaging 0.26 missed tackles forced per running play last season.
• Since 2020, ASU’s 20.8 percentage of total drives ending with rushing touchdowns is ninth in the FBS.
• ASU has received a team rushing grade of 96.2 from PFF since the 2020 season, the 25th-highest tally in the FBS.
• Since 2020, ASU has been stuffed at or behind the line of scrimmage on just 17.9 percent of its rushes – good for the 30th-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 31.1 percent of its rushes – 12th-most in the FBS. The team is averaging 5.4 yards per rush in that time, tied for 27th in the FBS.
• Since 2018, ASU has rushed for 100+ yards in 54 of 72 games (75.0 percent).
• The Sun Devils have produced a 1,000-yard rusher nine times in the last 13 seasons  – with one of the lone exceptions being the shortened 2020 season. For comparison, from 1976-2010, ASU had a 1000-yard rusher just eight times.

  BUT ALSO NO RUSH

• The Sun Devils have held opponents to just 96.0 rushing yards per game, the 16th-best total in the country. ASU was 36th in the FBS in allowing just 133.5 rush yards per game to opponents last season.
• Eight times in 16 games under Kenny Dillingham and Brian Ward has ASU held an opponent under 100 rushing yards in a game, including two of five games this season.
• Shamari Simmons has the fifth-best run defense score among FBS corners at 86.7.  Keith Abney has the 33rd-best grade among FBS corners at 75.9 on run defense.
• Keyshaun Elliott is the nation’s 33rd-highest graded linebacker in run defense 76.2.
• ASU’s average depth of tackle on run plays is within 3.75 yards, second-best in the Big 12 and 25th nationally.
• A year ago, the Sun Devils allowed only 88 rushing yards to Washington State, which marked the third consecutive game that ASU had held an opponent to under 100 rushing yards. It was the first time since the first three games of the 2016 season that ASU had accomplished the feat (Northern Arizona – 56 yards, Texas Tech – 72 yards, UTSA – 93 yards).
• It was the first time it had happened against three-straight Pac-12 Conference opponents since a four-game stretch in the 2015 season (USC – 76, UCLA – 62, Colorado – 49, Utah – 72).
• In that three-game span against CU/UW/WSU, Arizona State allowed only 157 total rushing yards – the fewest over a three-game stretch since the Sun Devils allowed only 96 against Colorado (99), Washington (-5), and Washington State (2) during the 2013 season.
• A lot of that success can be attibuted to the Sun Devil secondary as well, which received a positive rush defense grade on 17.3 percent of run plays this season from PFF, the 32nd-highest tally among safeties and corners in the FBS.

  A HAND IN THE COOKIE JAR

• Arizona State only had eight takeaways all of last year. It already has seven (3 interceptions and 4 fumble recoveries) through five games this year.
• This season marked the first since 2020 (at USC 4 TOs; at Arizona 7 TOs) that the Sun Devils have forced three or more turnovers twice in a three-game span (3 vs. Wyoming, 3 at Texas State).
• ASU was one of just five teams in the country with a fumble recovery in each of its first three games. ASU has four fumble recoveries already this season after having just four total a season ago.
• ASU is tied for sixht nationally with just one fumble lost this year.
• ASU has recorded three defensive touchdowns this season, the fourth-most in the FBS
• Taking out ASU’s COVID-19 shortened 2020 season, the Sun Devils had a streak of at least one pick six in 23 consecutive seasons (2000-2022) come to a close last season – ending what was the longest streak in the FBS.
• ASU immediately started a new streak with Zyrus Fiaseu’s 29-yard return in the opener of 2024. ASU would also pick up a scoop-and-score from Justin Wodtly later in the contest on a 6-yard fumble return, giving ASU an interception AND fumble return for a touchdown in the same game for the first time since UCLA in 2008.
• ASU has outscored opponents 934-544 in points off takeaways since 2012 and 27-7 this season.
• Since 2012, ASU has scored 64.0 percent of the time following an opponent turnover (160 of 250) while finding the end zone 115 times in that span (46.0 percent).
• Conversely, opponents have scored just 49.7 percent of the time following an ASU turnover since 2012 (97 of 195) with 69 touchdowns (35.4 percent).

  WHO’S THE NEW GUY

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

  MOUNTAIN AMERICA STADIUM, HOME OF THE ASU SUN DEVILS

• Arizona State University and Sun Devil Athletics have announced a multi-year naming rights partnership last season with Mountain America Credit Union to form one of the most dynamic naming rights deals in college athletics.
• The 15-year partnership with Sun Devil Athletics – the most important deal in athletics department history – includes ASU’s football stadium, which will now be called Mountain America Stadium, Home of the ASU Sun Devils.
• The partnership happens as a fever pitch surrounds Sun Devil Football and the hiring of Sun Devil graduate Kenny Dillingham, one of eight Arizona State alumni leading programs as head coaches at the University. ASU fans have been “Activating the Valley” leading up to the start of the 2023 college football season, as over 90 percent of football season tickets have been renewed so far, and 4,000 new season tickets have been sold. And now, with the record-breaking football naming partnership and comprehensive relationship with Mountain America, numerous Olympic sports teams will be showcased, and multiple areas of the Sun Devil fan experience, from in-stadium entertainment to digital marketing, will be impacted.
• Both Mountain America and ASU are committed to giving back to the community, and this partnership will provide support to the community and student-athletes in a variety of ways: Football Field Goals: Mountain America will donate $250 to the Sun Devil Club for every field goal made to enhance ASU’s student-athlete experience, Shoe Donation Program: ASU and Mountain America will develop a shoe donation program, providing brand-new shoes to community members in need, Scholarships: Each year, Mountain America will provide $20,000 to ASU student-athletes, with $10,000 going to women’s sports and $10,000 to men’s sports, Financial Education Programs: Mountain America will offer special student-athlete financial education programs, including personal coaching sessions, Internship Program: Mountain America will also provide an internship program for student-athletes to help students develop the skills and experience needed for future endeavors.

  SMART DEVILS

  ASU will compete with 22 young men this season that have already earned their undergraduate degrees:

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

COURTESY UTAH AND ARIZONA STATE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS