By Colin McGuigan

COURTESY TEXAS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

GAME NOTES

https://thesundevils.com/documents/2024/12/28/24FBNotes_PeachBowl.pdf

PDF of Game Notes /// Season Stats PDF
Watch on ABC /// Listen on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM /// Game Notes Central /// Sun Devil Football 2024 Features/Links ///
Sun Devil Extra Weekly Show /// Sparky’s Stadium Shop /// Support the Sun Devils /// Follow Us on X

THE GAME –  The Big 12 Champion Sun Devil Football program returns to action in the postseason, making its debut in the College Football Playoff and squaring of against the Texas Longhorns in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on New Year’s Day at Mercedez-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Scheduled for a 11 a.m. AZT/1 p.m. local kickoff, the CFP quarterfinal contest between the fourth-seeded Sun Devils and and fifth-seeded Longhorns will be broadcast nationally on ABC (Joe Tessitore, Jesse Palmer, Katie George, Taylor McGregor). The game will also be available over the local airwaves in Arizona on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM (Tim Healey, Jeff Van Raaphorst, Kevin Turner, Jeff Munn). The game will also be available on ESPN National Radio (Anish Shroff, Andre Ware, Paul Carcaterra).

ON THE CHICK-FIL-A PEACH BOWL/COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF – This will be Sun Devil Football’s first appearance in the College Football Playoff. It is the team’s second appearance in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, though it hasn’t played in the game since 1970 – a 48-26 victory over North Carolina to cap off an 11-0 season. Texas is making its second consecutive appearance in the CFP, the only team in the 2024 field to do so despite the expansion to 12 teams this year.

KICKING OFF

• ASU’s 11-2 record marks and 7 1/2 game improvement in the win/loss column from a year ago, tied for the seventh-best single-season turnaround in program history. A win this week would move ASU into a tie for second-best all-time. With a win, ASU’s nine-game improvement in the win column alone from a year ago would mark just the seventh time in FBS history a team has accomplished the feat.
• With ASU vacating its wins in the 2021 season, the 11 wins this season easily surpass the team’s combined win tally from 2020-2023 (8 wins).
• Sam Leavitt’s 90.3 grade on overall offense for the season is seventh-best among all FBS freshman quarterbacks in the PFF era since 2015 (min. 500 snaps played). Of the six players tied or ahead of him, five have started an NFL game this season (Trevor Lawrence, Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, C.J. Stroud and Spencer Rattler). He ranks ahead of the freshmen seasons of 2024 NFL starters Brock Purdy (89.4), Sam Darnold (85.0) and Justin Herbert (77.2).
• Leavitt has thrown at least three touchdown passes in six games this year, most among FBS freshmen. The last Big 12 freshman to have that many performances in a season was Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford in 2007 (eight).
• Cam Skattebo is the first FBS player to record 150+ scrimmage yards and 3+ scrimmage touchdowns in three straight games since Boise State’s Jay Ajayi in 2014 (four straight).
• ASU was one of only 13 teams to go undefeated in the month of November (5-0). Of those 13 teams, only 7 were from a Power 4 conference (including Notre Dame). ASU was one of only four teams the FBS to go 5-0 in the month of November.
• ASU is 5-0 in games decided by a seven points or less and 6-1 in games decided by one score (8 points or less). The 5-0 record is second behind Arkansas State’s 7-0 mark in games of seven points or less and the six wins are tied for third behind only Syracuse and Arkansas State’s for most wins in one-score games.

#10THINGS (Twitter-Friendly Notes)
1. Prior to the bowl season, Sam Leavitt’s 16 touchdown passes since the start of November were the post in the FBS.

2. The Sun Devils are 5-0 in games decided by 7 points or less and 6-1 in one-score games overall – with those win totals ranked second and third, respectively, in the FBS.

3. The Sun Devils rank 8th in the FBS in picking up 59.9 percent of available yards on offense and 13th with 54.9 percent of its drives ending with a touchdown or a field goal attempt.

4. ASU has outscored opponents 101-13 in the first half of the last four games.

5. ASU is outscoring opponents 87-16 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 16 touchdowns in the final five minutes of the first and second halves this season, a total good for 5th in the FBS.

7. The Sun Devil defense has allowed just 4.5 yards per third down to opponent offenses – the 24th-lowest total in the country after allowing 5.3 per third down play a year ago (67th).

8.Cam Skattebo is the first Big 12 player in the history of the conference (since 1907) to post 1,000+ rushing yards and 500+ receiving yards in the same season. It is a feat that no Heisman-winning running back
has ever accomplished.

9. Among FBS slot defenders, Shamari Simmons is one of just 10 players in the country not credited with a TD allowed (min. 200 snaps), despite playing the 3rd-most slot coverage snaps in the country (357).

10. Sam Leavitt is the only quarterback in the country with 20+ touchdowns (21) with 5 or fewer interceptions (5) AND turnoverworthy throws (4) – (min. 300 dropbacks).

BY THE NUMBERS:
60 – Kenny Dillingham put together a roster that started with 60 total newcomers this season – the ninth-most of any FBS school 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 were tied for third-most in the FBS while the teams 58 returning players were tied for the fifth-lowest tally in the FBS. Only 38 of those players were scholarship student-athletes, tied for the third-lowest mark in the FBS.

54 – 54.9 percent of Sun Devil offensive drives have resulted in ASU scoring a touchdown or getting in range for a field goal attempt – good for 13th nationally. Only 40.3 percent of such opponent drives have done the same, a net +14.6 percent difference that is the 22nd-best in the nation. ASU ranked dead last (133rd) in the category a season ago with a net -29.0 percent tally as only 28 percent of its drives resulting in a touchdown or field goal attempt (124th) compared to a 57 percent success rate for opponents (132nd of 133). The Sun Devils are averaging 3.12 points per drive this season, good for 10th nationally and are 8th in picking up 59.9 percent of the total yards available.

8 – Playing the 13th-most snaps in coverage in the FBS this season, Alford has allowed just 8 receptions, the 3rd-fewest in the FBS (min. 300 coverage snaps). Opponents have chosen to throw his way on just 4.2 percent of coverage snaps, the 4th-lowest total among all FBS players. His 19 targets on the year are 14th-lowest in the FBS. He has allowed just 90 yards in coverage this season – 4th-lowest among all FBS players. He has allowed just 0.20 yards per coverage snap this season, the 2nd-lowest total in the FBS. Alford has forced an in-completion 26.3 percent of the time when targeted, the 8th-best tally among all FBS players.

3 – Leif Fautanu has played 3,496 snaps in his career, third-most among active FBS centers, behind Texas’ Jake Majors (3,638) and NMSU’s Canaan Yarro (3,557), and has started 50 consecutive games in his career out of his 56 total starts. 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 just 6 pressures credited against him, tied for 26th-fewest among FBS players and 14th among centers (min. 300 pass block snaps). His 1.5 pressure allowed percentage is 15th among FBS centers. His 87.8 pass-blocking grade is the 4th-best grade for any FBS center and 17th among all players. He has not been credited with a sack allowed this season.

 1 – Among players with at least 500 snaps, redshirt freshman QB Sam Leavitt is the nation’s highest-graded freshman player on offense OR defense with his overall offense grade of 90.3 (min. 500 snaps) – nearly 4 points higher than Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith’s 86.4 mark in second. He is 7.3 points higher than the next closest FBS freshman QB (South Alamaba’s Gio Lopez, 83.0) and 12.3 points ahead of Tennessee’s Nico Iamaleava for the highest freshman grade among Power 4 freshmen quarterbacks (78.0).Leavitt’s 90.3 grade on overall offense for the season is seventh-best among all FBS freshman quarterbacks in the PFF era since 2015 (min. 500 snaps).

1 – Currently at 19, Cam Skattebo needs one rushing touchdown to set ASU’s school record in the category (Woody Green, 19, 1972). He also needs just one TOTAL touchdown to set ASU’s school record in the category (22, Wilford White, 1950).Skattebo needs 75 rushing yards to break Eno Benjamin’s school record of 1,642 rushing yards in a single season (currently at 1,568). Skattebo is one touchdown away from scoring his 50th career touchdown from scrimmage (currently at 49; 41 rushing, 8 receiving).Skattebo is 251 rushing yards away from reaching 4,500 career rushing yards (currently at 4,249).

ON THE LONGHORNS

• This will mark just the second matchup in history between the Sun Devils and the Longhorns, with Texas getting the better of ASU in the 2007 Holiday Bowl, 52-34, in the only other contest.
• The Longhorns were the runners-up in the SEC Championship and the No. 5 overall seed in the College Football Playoff, entering the game ranked No. 4 in the AP.
• Texas and Arizona State were two of just five FBS teams in the regular season with four wins against teams ranked in the AP Top-25 at the time of the game (joining Georgia, South Carolina, Notre Dame).
• One of the elite defenses in the country, Texas has held opponents to just 12.5 points per game prior to the CFP and to 17 points or less in 10 of 13 games in that stretch. ASU scored less than 17 points just once this season (14 at Cincinnati).
• Texas has forced a turnover in and FBS-leading 22 straight games and is tied for first in the FBS with 29 takeaways this season. Meanwhile, ASU is tied for second in the FBS with just eight turnovers lost.
• Texas was first in the FBS pre-bowl season in allowing just 143.1 passing yards per game. The team allowed just four passing touchdowns in the regular season while ASU has thrown for 3 or more in 5 of its last six games.
• In its last six games, Texas has allowed just 20 total first half points. ASU is averaging 22.6 points per first half in its last six games. Texas has outscored opponents 108-24 in the first quarter of games while ASU has outscored teams 106-58 in the opening frame.
• Texas’ offense is sixth in the FBS with 20 plays of 40+ yards this year. ASU is sixth in the FBS in allowing just five 40+ yard plays this year.

AN ASU VICTORY WOULD

• Give ASU an 8 1/2 game improvement from a season ago, which would be tied for second-most in FBS history (Tulane, +9 in 2022). The team’s current 7 1/2 game improvement is tied for ninth-best in FBS history.
• Give the Sun Devils a nine-game improvement in the win column alone, marking ASU as just the seventh program in FBS history to accomplish the feat.
• Improve the Sun Devils to 2-0 in the Peach Bowl (victors of the 1970 Peach Bowl)
• Give ASU 12 wins in a season for just the second time in program history (1975 team went 12-0).
• Improve ASU to 5-0 against AP-ranked opponents this season. It would match ASU’s most wins against Top-25 teams in a single season in program history (5 in 1986).
• Give the Sun Devils their first victory over a Top-10 team in a neutral-site game since defeating #4 Michigan in the 1986 Rose Bowl campaign. It would additionally be ASU’s first victory in the month of January since that 22-15 victory.
• Be Arizona State’s first victory over a Top-10 team overall since defeating No. 6 Oregon in 2019.
• Improve ASU to 2-0 over the SEC this season, notable as the program has not defeated an SEC team in history entering the year.

MILESTONE WATCH

• Currently at 19, Cam Skattebo needs one rushing touchdown to set ASU’s school record in the category (Woody Green, 19, 1972). He needs just one TOTAL touchdown to set ASU’s school record in the category (22, Wilford White, 1950).
• Skattebo needs 75 rushing yards to break Eno Benjamin’s school record of 1,642 rushing yards in a single season (currently at 1,568).
• Skattebo is one touchdown away from scoring his 50th career touchdown from scrimmage (currently at 49; 41 rushing, 8 receiving).
• Skattebo is 251 rushing yards away from reaching 4,500 career rushing yards (currently at 4,249). He is 20 rushing attempts away from the 700-carry mark in his career (currently at 680 carries) and 16 touches away from the 800-touch (receptions + carries) mark in his career (currently at 784 touches).
• Sam Leavitt has the second-most passing yards by a freshman in program history. He is now 281 yards away from establishing a new passing yards record for freshman quarterbacks at ASU (record is 2,943 yards currently held by Jayden Daniels in 2019).
• Leavitt is tied for 9th in program history with 24 touchdown passes this season. He needs four more to move into the Top-5 all-time among ASU QBs.
• Keyshaun Elliott needs 5 tackles to reach 200 for this career (currently at 195).
• Shamari Simmons needs 2 tackles to reach 250 for his career (currently at 248). He is one interception away from picking off 10 passes in his career (currently at 9).
• Xavier Guillory needs 81 receiving yards to reach 2,000 receiving yards in his career (currently at 1,919).
• Chamon Metayer currently has five touchdown receptions, which is tied for the third-most in a season by a tight end in program history. He needs just one receiving touchdown to match Zach Miller (2004) and Joe Petty (1971) for the single-season program record for touchdown receptions by a tight end.

MAKING THE GRADE (NOTABLE PFF GRADES)

• Cam Skattebo (92.6) is the second-highest graded running back on overall offense this season and the fifth-highest graded offensive player at any position this year in the FBS.
• Skattebo’s 94.1 grade on rushing plays this season is second behind only Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty. It is the seventh-best grade by an FBS running back in the category since the 2015 season (min. 100 carries)
• Sam Leavitt is the nation’s highest-graded freshman player on offense OR defense with his overall offense grade of 90.3 (min. 500 snaps) –  nearly 4 points higher than Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith’s 86.4 mark in second. He is 7.3 points higher than the next closest FBS freshman QB (South Alamaba’s Gio Lopez, 83.0) and 12.3 points ahead of Tennessee’s Nico Iamaleava for the highest freshman grade among Power 4 freshmen quarterbacks (78.0).
• Leavitt is the 7th-highest graded quarterback in the nation, regardless of eligibility, and 15th-highest graded player in the FBS regardless of position.
• Shamari Simmons had the highest rush defense grade of any FBS player in the Conference Championships at 88.5. His 86.0 run defense grade overall this season is eighth among all FBS corners.
• Leif Fautanu is the FBS’ sixth-highest graded center as a pass blocker this season with a score of 86.9.

LAST TIME OUT – DR PEPPER BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP

• ASU earned the program’s first outright conference championship since 1996 (co-champion in 2007) with its 45-19 rout over #16 Iowa State in the Dr Pepper Big 12 Championship
• ASU won 11 games in a season for the first time since 1996 (11-1) and just the sixth time in program history (Frank Kush four times, Bruce Snyder once).
• Cam Skattebo accumulated 208 all-purpose yards, putting him over 2,000 for the season (currently at 2,074) to become just the 100th player in FBS history to accomplish that feat. Skattebo passed Wilford White’s program record of 2,065 all-purpose yards in a season set back in 1950.
• Skattebo also broke ASU’s school record for most scrimmage yards (Eno Benjamin, 1,905). He has 2,074 all-purpose yards this season.
• His 140 first half yards were the most in a half in his career. It was also the first time a running back ran for over 100 yards in the Big 12 Championship Game since Adrian Peterson for Oklahoma in 2004. It was the most in a half in the championship game since Kansas State’s Darren Sproles in 2003.
• Skattebo was named the Most Outstanding Player after accounted for 18 points and three touchdowns, both tying the record for the most at the Big 12 Championship. Last was in 2008 by both Chris Brown and Mossis Madu of Oklahoma.
• He was the fifth player with 150+ yards and 2+ rush TDs in Big 12 CC history and first since Adrian Peterson in 2004.
• Sam Leavitt became just the second player with 3+ pass TDs and 1+ rush TDs in a Big 12 Championship Game, joining Texas’ Vince Young in 2005
• Leavitt was the first FBS freshman to throw for 3+ touchdowns and rush for 1+ in a conference championship game since Florida State’s Jameis Winston in 2013.
• Iowa State entered the game allowing 156.9 pass yards per game this season – third-best in the FBS. Arizona State passed for 147 yards in the first half alone.
• The 35-0 run for the Sun Devils matched the largest in Big 12 Championship Game history and the first since Texas over Colorado in 2005.
• Sam Leavitt’s 63-yard pass to Melquan Stovall on 4th-and-1 in ASU’s own territory in the first quarter was the most yards gained on a 4th and 1 play for Arizona State in the last 15 years (63) and the sixth-most yards gained on a 4th-and-1 in the FBS this season.

SIX DEGREES OF SUN DEVIL-ATION

• Texas defensive lineman Jermayne Lole played at Arizona State from 2018-20.
• Arizona State defensive back X Alford played at Texas in 2020, defensive lineman Zach Swanson played at Texas from 2022-23, wide receiver Jake Smith played at Texas from 2019-20, defensive lineman J’Mond Tapp played at Texas from 2022-23, defensive lineman Prince Dorbah played at Texas from 2020-22, wide receiver Troy Omeire played at Texas from 2020-22.
• ASU linebacker Jordan Crook played with Texas defensive lineman Collin Simmons, offensive lineman Cameron Williams, and defensive lineman Alex January at Duncanville High School back in 2022.
• Arizona State defensive lineman Jacob Rich Kongaika played with Texas defensive linemen Bill Norton and Tiaoalii Savea while at Arizona the past two seasons.
• Sun Devil running back Alton McCaskill and Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden played together at Houston in 2022, while ASU offensive lineman Josh Atkins was on the Cougars’ roster with Golden in 2023.
• Arizona State defensive back Keith Abney II played with Texas defensive lineman Zina Umeozulu, defensive back Ziky Umeozulu, and offensive lineman Neto Umeozulu at Allen High School in 2022.
• Arizona State offensive lineman Sean Na’a and Texas wide receiver Deandre Moore Jr. played together at St. John Bosco from 2020-22.
• Arizona State defensive lineman Prince Dorbah and Texas linebacker Marshall Landwehr played together at Highland Park High School in Texas from 2018-20.
• Arizona State tight end Cameron Harpole and Texas offensive lineman Jake Majors were teammates at Prosper High School in Texas from 2017-19.
• Arizona State running back Raleek Brown played with Texas offensive lineman Brandon Baker and tight end Spencer Shannon at Mater Dei High School in California in 2021.
• Arizona State defensive backs coach Bryan Carrington served as the Director of Recruiting for Texas from 2017-20.

WILD SKATT

• Cam Skattebo is 7th among all active FBS AND FCS running backs with 4,249 career rushing yards while his 6.2 yards per carry are 15th in that group. (min. 300 carries).
• Despite not playing essentially two games (DNP vs. UCF, DNP in fourth quarters vs. WYO, @OKST, @ARIZ, ISU), he is 5th in the FBS this season with 1,568 yards rushing, 6th at 130.67 rushing yards per game and 2nd in the FBS in all-purpose yards per game at 172.83 – tops in the Big 12 and ranking only behind Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty.
• Skattebo has accounted for 37.7 percent of ASU’s scrimmage yards this season and 39.6% of scrimmage yards in games he played – 4th-best in the FBS.
• He has forced 248 career missed tackles on rushing plays, 3rd among active FBS/FCS halfbacks and he is 6th at 0.36 missed tackles forced per rushing attempt (min. 300 attempts)
• He is 3rd among FBS running backs this season wtih 89 missed tackles forced on rushing plays, despite missing the missed time. He has 105 total missed tackles forced with pass plays including, tied for the second-best mark among all FBS players.
• Skattebo has rushed for a first down or touchdown on 36.3 percent of his career carries, 2nd among all active FBS/FCS backs (min. 300 attempts). He has rushed for a first down or touchdown on 34.8 percent of his rushes this year, good for 5th in the FBS (min. 150 carries).
• He has been stuffed for no gain or a loss on just 10.7 percent of his career carries, good for the 8th-lowest tally among all active backs at both levels (min. 300 attempts). His 13.6 stuff rate this season is 13th in the FBS.
• He is currently averaging 3.9 yards after contact per career rush – tied for 15th among all active FBS/FCS backs. He has 2,685 yards after contact in his career, more than 157 other active FBS/FCS running backs with 300+ carries have TOTAL for their career rushing yards. His 1,080 yards after contact this year are 3rd in the FBS and would be good for 26th among all running backs in the FBS for TOTAL yards on the year.

BOO SHIESTY

• Cam Skattebo’s (pronounced BOO) 506 receiving yards are 2nd among FBS running backs, despite missing nearly two game’s worth of action.
• Skattebo is the only player in the country with 1,000+ rushing yards and 400+ receiving yards, even with the missed time – let alone the only player with 1,000/500.
• He is the first Big 12 player in the history of the conference (since 1907) to post 1,000+ rushing yards and 500+ receiving yards in the same season. It is a feat that no Heisman-winning running back has ever accomplished
• He leads the nation with 522 yards after the catch among the FBS running backs – a total good for 9th among all FBS players, regardless of position.
• His 184 receiving yards after contact are 6th among FBS running backs and 34th among all FBS offensive players..
• His 21 first downs/touchdowns receiving are 3rd among FBS running backs and his 13.7 yards per catch are 4th (min. 100 receiving snaps).
• Skattebo’s 121 receiving yards against Oklahoma State and 117 against Texas Tech and the 4th and 6th most receiving yards by an FBS halfback this season.
• Against Oklahoma State, Skattebo became the first Sun Devil running back with 100+ rushing AND receiving yards in a single game since Demario Richard put up 151 receiving and 104 rushing against New Mexico in 2015.
• He became one of just 15 FBS running backs since 1996 to rush for over 150 yards and receive for 100 yards and one of just six Big 12 running backs since 1996 to rush and receive for over 100 yards in a conference game.
• With his 117-yard receiving yard effort against Texas Tech,  Skattebo 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).
• Twice, Skattebo has recorded games with over 250 all-purpose yards, joining Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty and Utah State’s Jalen Royals as the only two FBS players to do so twice this year. Only Skattebo and Jeanty have done it without kick/punt returns included.
• Since at least 1996, he is the only Sun Devil to record 250+ scrimmage yards twice, period, let alone in the same season.

SKAT BACK

• Skattebo (92.6) is the second-highest graded running back on overall offense this season and the fifth-highest graded offensive player at any position this year in the FBS.
• Skattebo’s 94.1 grade on rushing plays this season is second behind only Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty. It is the seventh-best grade by an FBS running back in the category since the 2015 season (min. 100 carries)
• Skattebo is the first FBS player to record 150+ scrimmage yards and 3+ scrimmage touchdowns in three straight games since Boise State’s Jay Ajayi in 2014 (four straight).
• Cam Skattebo’s four games with 200+ scrimmage yards this season tied with UNC’s Omario Hampton for 2nd-most in FBS behind Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty’s 7. It is tied for most of any Big 12 player in last 20 seasons with Chuba Hubbard, who also had four for Oklahoma State in 2019.
• Skattebo has multiple touchdowns in eight of his last 10 games and has rushed for a touchdown in 10 of the 12 games this year he has played in.
• He has three touchdowns in each of the last three games for the Sun Devils.
• Skattebo is the second Big 12 player to record 100+ rush yards and 3+ scrimmage TDs in three straight games, joining Kansas’ June Henley in 1996.
• Skattebo first Big 12 player with 3 straight games with 3+ scrimmage TDs since Baylor’s Corey Coleman in 2015.
• He has 20 total 100+ rushing yard performances in his career, with nine coming at Arizona State.
• His 22 total touchdowns this season are 8th among FBS players and 2nd in the Big 12. He is currently tied for the ASU school record which has stood for 74 years since Wilford White recorded 22 in 1950.
• Skattebo’s 19 rushing touchdowns are also tied for the most in program history with Woody Green’s 1972 tally.
• Skattebo’s 2,074 all-purpose yards are the second-most in the country while the 172.83 all-purpose yards per game are 2nd.
• All 2,074 yards have come from scrimmage, setting a school record as he became just the 100th player in the history of FBS football to accomplish that feat.

SKATTEGORIES

• Skattebo finished fifth in the 2024 Heisman Trophy Voting and has been named a First Team All-American by the AP and garnered numerous other All-America nods from several outlets.
• He was named a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award, given the the top running back in the country and Maxwell Award, given annually to the best player in college football. He is just the second Doak Walker semifinalist in program history (Eno Benjamin) and the first Maxwell semifinalist.
• Five times, he has been named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week and thrice named the Doak Walker Award National Running Back of the Week (vs. MSU, Utah, Oklahoma State, Arizona). The five Big 12 OPOW honors are behind only Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty’s six Mountain West weekly accolades this year.  He was also a two-time AP National Player of the Week.
• Skattebo’s 158 rushing yards were the most allowed by Utah since UCLA’s Zach Charbonnet had 198 on Oct. 8, 2022.
• His 50-yard touchdown run against the Utes was the longest rushing TD by a Sun Devil since Rachaad White had a 50-yard touchdown on the ground against USC in 2021.
• Coming into the Utah game, Skattebo’s average touchdown run in games at ASU was 4.9 yards (15 touchdowns) with a long of 17. His 50- and 47- yard touchdowns both surpassed his previous career long touchdown run of 43 yards against Utah Tech in 2022 while he was at Sacramento State.
• 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 yards 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.
• 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

• Among players with at least 500 snaps, redshirt freshman QB Sam Leavitt is the nation’s highest-graded freshman player on offense OR defense with his overall offense grade of 90.3 (min. 500 snaps) – nearly 4 points higher than Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith’s 86.4 mark in second. He is 7.3 points higher than the next closest FBS freshman QB (South Alamaba’s Gio Lopez, 83.0) and 12.3 points ahead of Tennessee’s Nico Iamaleava for the highest freshman grade among Power 4 freshmen quarterbacks (78.0).
• Leavitt is the 7th-highest graded quarterback in the nation, regardless of eligibility, and 15th-highest graded player in the FBS regardless of position.
• Leavitt’s 90.3 grade on overall offense for the season is seventh-best among all FBS freshman quarterbacks in the PFF era since 2015 (min. 500 snaps played). Of the six players tied or ahead of him, five have started an NFL game this season (Trevor Lawrence, Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, C.J. Stroud and Spencer Rattler). He ranks ahead of the freshmen seasons of 2024 NFL starters Brock Purdy (89.4), Sam Darnold (85.0) and Justin Herbert (77.2).
• Leavitt has eight passes on the season for 50+ yards, most in Big 12. The only ASU player this century to have more in one season was Jayden Daniels in 2019.
• Among players with at least 300 dropbacks, Leavitt is tied for third in the FBS with just four turnover-worthy throws this season, according to Pro Football Focus and his 1.0 turnover-worthy throw percentage is third.
• His five interceptions are tied for 6th-fewest in the FBS among those with at least 300 dropbacks.
• Leavitt is the only quarterback in the country with 20+ touchdowns (24) with 5 or fewer interceptions (5) AND turnoverworthy throws (4) (min. 300 dropbacks). He is one of just 6 QBs with 20+ touchdowns and 5 or fewer INTs.
• Only 17 of his passes have been broken up this year, good for the 15th-lowest total in the FBS. His three passes batted at the line of scrimmage at tied for 17th-lowest in the FBS (min. 300 dropbacks).
• Leavitt has shown his ability to keep his composure under pressure, with 663 passing yards while pressured – good for 19th nationally despite missing a game. His 9.2 yards per attempt while under pressure are 3rd-best in the country. His 5 under pressure touchdowns are 19th.
• His 50.0 completion percentage while being pressured is 21st among FBS quarterbacks.
• His 87.9 NFL QBR while under pressure is 9th in the nation. He has picked up a first down with his arm 37 times on 116 pressures – 16th-most in the FBS.
• Leavitt has set his receivers up for success, finding open players and hitting guys in stride to the tune of 59.1 percent of his total yardage coming after the catch – good for 3rd nationally behind Texas’ Quinn Ewers and Georgia Tech’s Haynes Hing.
• His 8.5 yards per pass attempt are 9th in the FBS.

TAKE IT OR LEAVITT

• Sam Leavitt has rushed for 425 yards this season on 56 QB scrambles, the yardage good for the 4th-most among quarterbacks in the FBS.
• He has picked up a first down or touchdown on 44.9 percent of those QB scrambles, good for 11th among FBS quarterbacks (min 25 scrambles).
• Leavitt has the nation’s 5th-best rushing grade when scrambling this season at 77.1. His 78.1 overall rushing grade is 16th among FBS quarterbacks.
• He has thrice been named the Pac-12 Newcomer of the Week this season and also earned the Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Week honor following the K-State contest.
• After having just three touchdown passes in his first four games, he now has 21 in his last eight with a touchdown:interception ratio of 24:5 for the season.
• Leavitt is the first ASU quarterback to have six games in a season with three or more touchdown passes (6) since Mike Berocovici in 2015 (6). The six games are the most among FBS freshmen – tied for second-most this century behind only Andrew Walter’s seven in 2004. The last Big 12 freshman to have that many performances in a season was Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford in 2007 (eight).
• Sam Leavitt’s 16 touchdown passes since the start of November were the most in the FBS.
• He had his first career 300+ yard game against Oklahoma State, finishing 20-of-29 for 304 yards and three touchdowns with no picks.
• 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).
• Leavitt’s 258 passing yards  in his starting debut against Wyoming were the third-most by a Sun Devil making his debut since 1996, behind only Joey Yellen (292, 2019) and Jayden Daniels (284, 2019).

STARTING STRONG

• The Sun Devils have not punted on an opening drive this season and have scored on the first drive in 10 of 13 games. They have touchdowns in eight of those (field goals against Wyoming and Iowa State), threw interceptions on the opening drives against Utah and Texas Tech and turned the ball over on downs against UCF.
• ASU has scored on the opening drive of 76.9 percent of its opening drives this season, good for third in the FBS (Army, 91.7/Miami (FL) 83.3)
• ASU has outscored opponents 101-13 in the first half of the last four games.
• Four times this season and in three of the last four games ASU did not allow an opponent score on the first three drives of the game after it went eight-straight games between doing so between the opener against Wyoming and the Kansas State game.
• Prior to the last four games, ASU was 71st in the country in allowing 13.2 points per game in the first half to opponents. Over the last four games, ASU has allowed just 13 points combined.
• ASU’s 26.7 points per first half in the last three games are the most in the nation and the 4.3 points against per first half in those three games are third-lowest.

FINISH STRONG, TOO

• The Sun Devils have been exceptional in closing out halves this season, scoring 16 touchdowns in the final five minutes of either the first or second halves – a tally good for fifth in the FBS.
• ASU has outscored opponents 87-16 in the “middle eight” of games (last four minutes of first half, first four minutes of second half).
• ASU is outscoring opponents, 156-74, in the second quarters of games this season heading into halftime.
• The Sun Devils are allowing just 3.4 yards per third down play in the fourth quarter of games this season, the 11th-lowest total in the country.
• Third-and-fourth down defense have been among ASU’s struggles at times this season, ranking 100th with a 44.7 conversion rate allowed. However, the team has been markedly improved in that category in the 4th quarter of games, trimming it down to a 37.0 conversion rate – 44th in the FBS.
• The Sun Devils have won three games this season when trailing or tied at some point in the fourth quarter.

KEEP THEM IN FRONT OF YOU

• ASU has allowed just 20 plays over 50 yards to opponents since the 2018 season over 79 games – 2nd-fewest in the FBS in that time behind only Washington (18). The FBS average in that span is 44.53 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, good for the 3rd-lowest amount in the FBS in that time (Penn State, 10/Washington, 11).
• The Sun Devils have  allowed just 11 plays over 30 yards this season, tied for the 6th-lowest total in the country. ASU allowed just 22 total plays over 30 yards last season, which was 35th in the FBS.
• The 33 total plays allowed of 30+ yards in two seasons under defensive coordinator Brian Ward are tied for the 9th-lowest total in the FBS.
• Since 2018, ASU has allowed just 121 TOTAL 30-plus yard plays (1.5 per game/80 games). That is the 3rd-lowest tally in the FBS in that time behind Iowa (93) and Northwestern (118) (Kennesaw State and Sam Houston 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.
• The team has shown vast improvements in the area, currently sitting 17th in the country in converting 45.51 percent of its third down attempts – 80-of-172.
• The Sun Devils have converted 45-of-63 opportunities on 3rd-and-less than 3 yards, a 71.4 percent success rate that is 22nd nationally.
• Much of ASU’s success on third down can be attributed to its improvements on first down this season. The team is averaging 6.5 yards per first down this season, 31st in the FBS after being 98th a year ago (5.4).
• ASU’s 6.2 yards per third down play this season is good for 28th nationally after ranking 112th nationally at 4.4 yards per third down last season.
• Conversely, the defense has allowed just 4.5 yards per third down to opponent offenses – the 24th-lowest total in the country after allowing 5.3 per third down play a year ago (67th).
• Opponents have just a 57.5 NFL QBR rating on third downs against ASU this season, ranking ASU 15th in the country. ASU ranked 113th nationally a season ago in allowing opponents a 96.1 NFL QBR on third down passing.

PLAYING THE FIELD

• The field position battle was one ASU frequently lost a season ago, but have shown improvement in 2024.
• ASU has had just 13.9 percent of its offensive drives start inside its own 20-yard line this year – the 14th-lowest tally nationally. 21.9 percent of the team’s drive’s last season started inside the 20 – 105th in the FBS
• .ASU’s average starting field position has been its own 29.6 yard line while holding opponents to a starting average of their own 28.5 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 discrepency that the Sun Devils have cut down by 8 yards this year (+1.2) and rank 56th nationally.
• The Sun Devils rank 8th nationally in picking up 59.9  percent of the yards available on offense while limiting opponents to picking up just 45.6 percent of theirs. The net 14.3 percent difference is the 17th-best total in the FBS.
• ASU has a successful play percentage (40 percent of first down yardage, 50 percent of second down yardage, 3rd down conversion) of 40.7 percent this year, which is good for 13th in the FBS. The total is notable as ASU had just a 31.0 successful play percentage last season that was 115th in the country.
• 54.9 percent of Sun Devil offensive drives have resulted in ASU scoring a touchdown or getting in range for a field goal attempt – good for 13th nationally. Only 40.3 percent of such opponent drives have done the same, a net +14.6 percent difference that is the 22nd-best in the nation. ASU ranked dead last (133rd) in the category a season ago with a net -29.0 percent tally as only 28 percent of its drives resulting in a touchdown or field goal attempt (124th) compared to a 57 percent success rate for opponents (132nd of 133).
• The Sun Devils are averaging 3.12 points per drive this season, good for 10th nationally while allowing just 2.05 points per drive on defense – 47th in the country. The net +1.07  points per drive over opponents advantage that is 16th in the country. Last season, ASU was 130th nationally with a net -1.54 points per drive with the offense scoring just 1.40 points per drive (122nd) while allowing opponents to post 2.95 points per drive (123rd) – the latter compared to a 2.15 mark this season that is 58th.

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 13th-most snaps in coverage in the FBS this season, Alford has allowed just 8 receptions, the 3rd-fewest in the FBS (min. 300 coverage snaps).
• Opponents have chosen to throw his way on just 4.2 percent of coverage snaps, the 4th-lowest total among all FBS players. His 19 targets on the year are 14th-lowest in the FBS.
• He has allowed just 90 yards in coverage this season – 4th-lowest among all FBS players.
• He has allowed just 0.20 yards per coverage snap this season, the 2nd-lowest total in the FBS.
• Alford has forced an incompletion 26.3 percent of the time when targeted, the 8th-best tally among all FBS players.
• Opponents have just a 34.9 NFL QBR when targeting Alford, 9th-lowest in the FBS.
• Alford is the 38th-highest graded defensive player in coverage this season (87.5), 19th among safeties and 4th among Big 12 players.
• He is the 31st-highest graded safety in the FBS on overall defense (81.0), a total good for ninth among all Big 12 players.
• ASU’s last line of defense, Alford has been sure-handed as well with the nation’s 24th-best tackling grade among safeties (82.1).
• He has been credited with just 8 missed tackles this year with a 10.0 missed tackle percentage that is 42nd among FBS safeties.
• Alford is second on the Sun Devils with 82 tackles.

NO FLY ZONE

• The Sun Devils are 18th in the nation with 64 passes defended this season and 13th with 15 interceptions.
• Among FBS slot defenders, Shamari Simmons is one of just 10 players in the country not credited with a touchdown allowed (min. 200 snaps), despite playing the 2nd-most slot coverage snaps in the country (357)
• He is one of just 5 corners, period, in the Big 12 to not be credited with a touchdown allowed this year.
• His 1.11 yards allowed per slot coverage snap are the 29th-lowest total in the FBS. He has accomplished this despite being the 2nd-most targeted slot defender in the country (69 targets)
• Opponents have just a 76.7 NFL QBR when targeting Simmons, 15th-lowest among FBS slot defenders.
• Javan Robinson has been credited with just two touchdowns allowed this season, the 15th-lowest total among all Big 12 corners (min. 200 snaps).
• Robinson, however, has not been credited with a touchdown allowed in ASU’s six-game winning streak and opponents have just a 68.3 NFL rating against him in that stretch that is 10th-lowest in the Big-12.
• A true Sun Devil corner (nickelback excluded) had an interception in four-consecutive games between the Utah and UCF games, the first time ASU had accomplished that feat since 2013.
• Opponents have just a 57.5 NFL QBR rating on third downs against ASU this season, ranking ASU 15th in the country. ASU ranked 113th nationally a season ago in allowing opponents a 96.1 NFL QBR on third down passing.
• The ASU defense has allowed just 6.37 yards per passing attempt this season, the 27th-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 38 total passing plays over 40 yards – the 6th-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 second-quickest average time to cause a QB pressure in the Big 12 at an average of 2.48 seconds. The team has done that with largely four-man rushes on the year, blitzing just 25.4 percent of the time – the 14th-lowest total nationally – while the team has brought just four or fewer pass rushers 370 times – 11th-MOST among all FBS teams.
• Jacob Kongaika’s three sacks are tied for 4th among Big 12 interior linemen. Kongaika’s 0.00 average depth of tackle on runs plays is 12th among FBS interior linemen.
• On run plays, the big men up front on the defensive line have a depth of tackle average of 1.98 yards, tops in the Big 12 and 26th nationally.
• C.J. Fite’s seven tackles for loss or no gain are 5th among the league’s interior linemen and 29th nationally. His 15 defensive “stops” are 9th among Big 12 interior players. His 1.33 average depth of tackle is 13th-best in the Big 12 among interior linemen.
• 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.

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.
• ASU’s offensive linemen have received a 85.6 pass blocking grade from PFF as a group this season, the 11th-best tally nationally.  The offensive line itself has been credited with just 5 of ASU’s sacks this year, the 10th-lowest total in the country. The group has allowed just 67 total pressures, the 24th-lowest total in the FBS – the latter notable as the group was 80th in the country in the category last year.
• As a team, ASU is 37th in the country in only allowing 18 sacks this season after ranking 87th a season ago with 30 allowed.
• ASU’s offensive linemen have been charged with just five non-pre-snap penalties this season – the eighth-lowest total among all FBS offensive lines.
• ASU’s quarterbacks have had an average time to throw of 3.42 seconds this season, good for 21st-best in the FBS after ranking 128th in the country a season ago at 2.48 seconds.
• The group is 22nd 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 45.4 percent of his dropbacks this season, the 34th-lowest tally in the FBS (out of 93 QBs that have at least 300+ 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.
• Leif Fautanu has just 6 pressures credited against him, tied for 26th-fewest among FBS players and 14th among centers (min. 300 pass block snaps). His 1.5 pressure allowed percentage is 15th among FBS centers.
• His 87.8 pass-blocking grade is the 4th-best grade for any FBS center and 17th among all players.
• He has not been credited with a sack allowed this season.
• Fautanu has played 3,496 snaps in his career, third-most among FBS centers behind only NMSU’s Canaan Yarro (3,557) and Texas’ Jake Majors (3,638) and has started 50 consecutive games in his career out of his 56 total starts.
• Ben Coleman is 42nd among all FBS players with just 7 pressures credited by PFF this season (min. 300 pass block snaps) – 17th among guards. His 1.8 pressure allowed percentage are 24th among guards.
• Coleman has not been credited with allowing a sack this season.
• 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 were 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 continues 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 336.9 yards per game, good for that is 67th nationally after ranking 89th a year ago (396.8).
• Opponents are averaging just 5.16 yards per play – 40th-lowest in the country after being 93rd at 5.95 a season ago. Only 22.6 percent of opponent plays have gained 7 or more yards, the 28th-lowest tally in the country after ranking 105th last season at 35.1 percent.
• Opponents averaged just 1.81 points per drive on drives starting between their own 20- and 40-yard lines, the 39th lowest total in the country. ASU was 127th in the category a year ago.
• ASU’s defense currently ranks 18th in overall defensive EPA at -0.073. The teams +0.167 net EPA between offense and defense is 13th nationally.
• The team has allowed offenses to pick up just 45.6 of their available yards, the 53rd-lowest total nationally. ASU was 124th in the country a year ago in allowing 56.3 percent of available yards.
• ASU has been much improved in keeping opponents from getting across the 50, allowing other teams to pick up just 67.5 percent of their available yards up to their own 40-yard line – the 60th-lowest total in the FBS while also allowing only 59.3 percent of opponent yards up to the ASU 40 – 54th nationally. ASU ranked 121st and 126 in those categories a year ago.
• Only 40.3 percent of opponent drives have resulted in a touchdown or field goal attempt, the 56th-lowest total in the FBS – notable after being 132nd (of 133) in the country last year with a 57.0 clip.
• Since 2018, ASU has held opponents to the 400 or less mark for total offensive yards on 45 occasions over 80 games (56.3 percent of the time) – including nine of 13 this year. 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 53 of 80 games since 2018 (66.3 percent) – including 10 of 13 this year. This is notable as it DID allow 30+ in 32 of the 43 previous games (74.4 percent) in a span from 2013- 17.
• ASU is 11 for 12 in holding opponents under their season scoring average this year, following the season opening: Mississippi State (23/56.0), Texas State (28/41.5),  Texas Tech (30/44.7), Utah (19/28.3), Cincinnati (24/31.0), Oklahoma State (21/30.5), UCF (31/33.2) Kansas State (14/31.2), BYU (21/31.6), Arizona (7/23.1), Iowa State (19/31.2). 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).

AIR JORDYN

• Wide receiver Jordyn Tyson had nine touchdowns in his last eight games and 892 yards (107.0 yards per game) on 61 catches in that span. In the first four games, he had 14 catches for 209 yards with one touchdown.
• The 892 yards were the most for any FBS player from Week 6 to the end of the regular season, as were his 9 touchdowns.
• Tyson’s 624 yards in the month of November were 119 more than any other FBS player for the month and his six touchdowns were 2nd.
• Tyson has 1,101 yards on the year and is the first Sun Devil to go over 1,000 receiving yards since Brandon Aiyuk in 2019 (1,192). The tally is 10th-most in program history and 6th-most in a 12-game season.
• Tyson 10 receiving touchdowns on the season,  tying him for sixth all-time in Sun Devil Football history and one of just 11 Sun Devils total to reach double digits in a single season. He is the first to reach double digits since Jaelen Strong had 10 in 2014.
• The 10 receiving touchdowns were 10th in the FBS regular season and behind only Travis Hunter’s 14 in the Big 12
• Tyson became the first Sun Devil to catch two touchdowns in two straight games since Frank Darby had back-to-back two-score games at UCLA (10/26/19) and vs. USC (11/9/19).
• His 176 receiving yards against KSU were the most since Brandon Aiyuk put up 196 on Washington State back on Oct. 12, 2019. It was the most receiving yards in a road game since Devin Lucien had 200 yards at California on Nov. 28, 2015.
• Tyson’s 11-yard catch at 7:48 in the third quarter of that game gave him a new career high for single-game yardage, surpassing his previous best of 137 yards against Oregon in 2022 while he was a member of the Colorado football team. He also set a new career high with 12 receptions in the game.
• Four of his touchdown receptions this season have come in the final five minutes of a half (two in the first half and two in the second half).
• Three of his touchdown catches have come in the fourth quarter of games – tied for 11th among FBS receivers.
• His 13 third down receiving conversions were 18th in the FBS regular season.
• Tyson was 9th in the country in the regular season with 51 first down/touchdown receptions, third in the Big 12.
• Tyson emphasized Hines Ward‘s “No Block, No Rock” mantra as he was 7th among FBS receivers with 360 run-blocking snaps in the regular season.

GOLD RUSH

• The Sun Devils rank 23rd in the FBS in averaging 198.8 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 rushing first down or touchdown 30.5 percent of the time, good for 38th nationally.
• The rushing attack has been especially efficient in punishing opponents with ASU running backs earning 3.9 yards after contact per rush – 13th in the FBS.
• ASU has forced 157 missed tackles on run plays this season, 3rd-most in the FBS.
• The Sun Devils ranked 10th in the FBS in averaging 0.28 missed tackles forced per running play last season, a tally they have repeated to the dot this year and sit at 11th.
• Since 2020, ASU’s 20.5 percentage of total drives have ended with a rushing touchdown is 11th in the FBS.
• ASU has received a team rushing grade of 98.1 from PFF since the 2020 season, the 16th-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 3.3 yards after contact per rush in that time – tied for 19st in the FBS.
• Since 2020, ASU has picked up a first down or touchdown on 30.6 percent of its rushes – 16th-most in the FBS. The team is averaging 5.3 yards per rush in that time, tied for 33rd in the FBS.
• Since 2018, ASU has rushed for 100+ yards in 61 of 80 games (76.3 percent).
• The Sun Devils have produced a 1,000-yard rusher 10 times in the last 14 seasons  – with one of the lone exceptions being the shortened 2020 season. For comparison, from 1976-2010, ASU had just eight 1000-yard rushers over 34 years.

BUT ALSO NO RUSH

• The Sun Devils have held opponents to just 117.5 rushing yards per game, the 27th-best total in the country and second in the Big 12. This comes despite ASU playing four of the Top-20 teams in the nation this season in rushing offense (7. UCF, 13. Kansas, 15. Texas State, 18. Kansas State). No other team in the Top-30 faced more than two such opponents in the regular season.
• ASU was 36th in the FBS in allowing just 133.5 rush yards per game to opponents last season.
• 11 times in 25 games under Kenny Dillingham and Brian Ward has ASU held an opponent under 100 rushing yards in a game.
• Shamari Simmons ranks 5th among all Big 12 players with a run-blocking grade of 86.0 this season – 2nd among Big 12 corners. Javan Robinson was 15th in the league with a 78.0 mark – 3rd among league corners. They rank 8th and 44th among all FBS corners overall.
• Caleb McCullough has the 11th-best run blocking grade in the Big 12 overall (2nd among linebackers) and 39th among all FBS linebackers (82.3)
• 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 – 127th of 133 teams. It has 22 (15 interceptions and 7 fumble recoveries) through 13 games this year – a total good for 16th in the country.
• The team ranks 8th in the FBS with a +1.08 turnover margin per game.
• The Sun Devils were 129th in the nation in turnover margin a year ago at -11, improving that mark to +14 this year and the No. 6 mark in the country. The 25-turnover swing is the largest turnaround by any team in the FBS this season, the 5th-best in the last 10 years and the 25th-best of any program since the 1996 season
• ASU is tied for 6th nationally with just three fumbles lost this year. It has recovered seven, good for 50th after ranking 110th last season with just four.
• ASU has recorded four defensive touchdowns this season (2 pick sixes, 2 fumble returns), the 5th-most in the FBS.
• ASU has outscored opponents 976-561 in points off takeaways since 2012 and 69-21 this season.
• Iowa State had lost just three fumbles during the entire regular season prior to losing two in the third quarter alone to the Sun Devils in the Big 12 Championship. The Cyclones had entered the contest 17th in the country with a +0.75 turnover margin per game prior to losing three in the third quarter to the Sun Devils.
• Sun Devil true corners (excluded the nickelback) recorded interceptions in four straight games (Keith Abney vs. Utah and at Cincinnati/Javan Robinson at Oklahoma State/Laterrance Welch vs. UCF). It was the first time ASU has had corners accomplish that feat in four straight games since 2013 (Robert Nelson at Stanford/Osahon Irabor vs. USC and Notre Dame/Nelson and Lloyd Carrington vs. Colorado).
• This season marked the first since 2020 (at USC 4 TOs; at Arizona 7 TOs) that the Sun Devils forced three or more turnovers twice in a three-game span (3 vs. Wyoming, 3 at Texas State).
• The Sun Devils picked off Utah’s Cam Rising three times, matching the veteran’s career high for a game. Rising now has 17 interceptions in his career (on over 750 career passes), of which the Sun Devils are responsible for six of them (35.3 percent). The three interceptions in the game were the most for an ASU team since having three against Stanford on Oct. 8, 2021.
• ASU was one of just five teams in the country with a fumble recovery in each of its first three games.
• 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.

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 ARIZONA STATE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS