Sun Devils’ Harry redefining the ‘50-50’ ball
‘They’re 100 percent balls,’ his QB says
Arizona State quarterback Manny Wilkins has mentioned it more than once. When it comes to N’Keal Harry, there’s no such thing as a 50-50 ball.
“They’re 100 percent balls,” Wilkins said.
Yes, the quarterback is exaggerating, but he’s not far off. When it comes to Harry, those 50-50 balls are more like 7525.
Still darn impressive.
First off, perhaps we should define “50-50” ball. They are the passes that a quarterback strategically puts up for grabs, receiver against defender, may the best man win.
More often than not, Harry does. Check this out: Through four games, Wilkins has targeted Harry 42 times. On those plays, the sophomore receiver has come down with the ball 31 times (73.8 percent). Eleven ended up as incomplete passes.
But about those 11:
Harry caught three, but landed out of bounds, ruling them incomplete. (That means he has at least caught 34 of 42 balls thrown to him this season, which is incredible.) Three were uncatchable, out of reach for any receiver. Defenders knocked away four.
Harry dropped one, probably the easiest pass he has seen all season, a quick strike to the perimeter.
Wilkins said Harry's eyes talk to him on the field. They say, "Throw me the ball." Harry attributes their connection to extra work in practice. It's Wilkins' job to put the ball in his area code. "It's my job to get it," Harry said. Against Oregon, Harry (6-4, 216 pounds) had seven catches for 170 yards and a touchdown, showcasing a variety of skills. He jumped over smaller defenders. He out-muscled them. Ran by and busted through them.
Entering Saturday’s contest at Stanford, the Chandler High product ranks eighth nationally in receptions (31) and 16th in receiving yards (109 per game).
“He’s such an intense competitor,” coach Todd Graham said. “... I think he’s only scratching the surface on how good he can be.”
Graham avoids anthem controversy
A reporter on Monday asked Graham for his opinion on the NFL’s national anthem controversy.
Graham declined.
“I’m focused on beating Stanford,” he said. “I’m not even going to comment on that.”
College teams usually are in the locker room during the national anthem, but not always. During its Sept. 16 visit to Texas Tech, ASU stood on the sideline during the anthem. Players stood with their helmets off.
During his time at ASU, Graham has made the flag part of his program. Each game, a player runs onto the field holding the flag. Another player does the same with the Arizona state flag.
Ruiz honored
As a result of Saturday's strong performance, Brandon Ruiz was named Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week.
The freshman kicker drilled a 41-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter that proved to be the game winner. Ruiz also made field goals of 29 and 24 yards. In addition, he produced touchbacks on six of seven kickoffs. Ruiz also perfectly executed a first-quarter onside kick that the Sun Devils recovered and turned into points.