Sun Devils’ weaknesses exposed
Stanford RB Love ran for 301 yards
Arizona State’s defensive cracks were on display Saturday in a 34-24 loss to Stanford.
Arizona State on Saturday fell 34-24 at Stanford, the program’s ninth consecutive conference road loss. The Sun Devils dropped to 2-3 and 1-2 in the Pac-12.
Let’s review:
3 takeaways
1. The defense has few options. Stanford’s Bryce Love – who rushed for a school-record 301 rushing yards – exposed the Sun Devils for what they are: an undersized, inexperienced (four ASU players made their first Pac-12 road starts) and mostly overwhelmed defense. Given their limitations, they have done OK at times. But they will continue to have days like this.
2. Negative plays are killing the Sun Devils. This is the team’s biggest problem. On ASU’s first possession, junior quarterback Manny Wilkins took a sack that pushed the Sun Devils out of fieldgoal range. On ASU’s second possession, the Sun Devils had first-and-goal from the 10, but back-to-back negative plays forced them to settle for a field goal. Entering this week, ASU ranks 128th (out of 130) in TFLs allowed (9.2 per game) and 129th in sacks allowed (4.40).
3. N’Keal Harry keeps getting better. No question, Love was the best player on the field. Harry was second. Each week, offensive coordinator Billy Napier keeps coming up with new ways to get his star receiver the ball. Against Stanford, Harry for the first time took snaps out of ASU’s “Sparky” formation. He also threw a 14-yard TD pass, the first of his career.
Offense
ASU started strong but stalled. After Stanford made defensive adjustments, the Sun Devils gained only 141 yards in the second half. The third quarter was particularly bad, ASU collecting just 34 yards and one first down. ASU finished with 409 yards, averaging 5.8 per play. … Junior QB Manny Wilkins completed 15 of 24 for 181 yards with two interceptions. The first pick – deflected by a Stanford linebacker – ended his school-record streak of 192 attempts without an interception. The second was just a poor decision. Wilkins appeared to hurt his left leg after getting tackled while on the run late in the first half. He didn’t come out, however, and seemed to run fine in the second half. … Stanford did a nice job of shutting down ASU’s vertical passing. The Sun Devils entered the game with six pass plays of 50-plus yards, tied for the nation’s lead. Against the Cardinal, however, they had just three passing plays of 20-plus yards. … ASU rushed for a season-high 214 yards. Senior RB Demario Richard ran strong for the second week in a row, rushing 22 times for 80 yards and two TDs. Senior RB Kalen Ballage rushed for 60, averaging 6.7 per carry. … Both Richard and Wilkins had nice blocks on ASU’s biggest play, a 49-yard rush from sophomore WR Kyle Williams. … ASU had success with its “Sparky” formation. Three players (Harry, Ballage and Richard) took direct snaps. Results: Harry 3 yards; Harry 8 yards (first down); Ballage 7 yards (first down); Richard 3 yards (touchdown); Harry 14-yard pass (touchdown); Harry 6 yards (first down).
Grade:C
Defense
Defining moment: ASU pulled within 31-24 with eight minutes left. The Sun Devils needed a stop – and couldn’t get it. Stanford drove 71 yards in 11 plays, kicking a 22-yard field goal that put the game out of reach. Love’s 301 rushing yards were the most against ASU in the sixyear Graham era. ASU knew it had to tackle Love with “population,” but too often the Stanford RB broke a single tackle and was gone. The nation’s leading rusher had rushing plays of 61, 43, 39, 59 and 31 yards. … ASU didn’t have a quarterback sack, but posted four tackles for loss. The Sun Devils produced just three 3-and-outs. … Redshirt-freshman CB Chase Lucas committed two penalties – pass interference and late hit – but overall he was a positive. … Senior spur LB J’Marcus Rhodes in the first quarter had a nice strip and fumble recovery that likely saved a touchdown.
Grade:D
Special teams
The Sun Devils didn’t make much of an impact. Freshman Brandon Ruiz produced touchbacks on four of five kicks. In addition, he kicked a 32-yard field goal and missed a 59-yarder, the latter a desperation attempt in the game’s final seconds. … Sophomore Ryan Newsome’s decision-making on punt returns has been an issue the last two weeks. … Senior Kalen Ballage mishandled a kickoff that resulted in poor field position. … Sophomore Michael Sleep-Dalton averaged 42.3 yards in four punts. He had a long of 50 yards . ... The Sun Devils also gave up a fake punt for a first down.
Grade:C
Personnel
Sophomore Zach Robertson started over junior Quinn Bailey at right tackle. Bailey later replaced sophomore Steven Miller at right guard. … Junior DeMonte King made his first start at down safety in place of junior Dasmond Tautalatasi. After starting the first four games, Tautalatasi didn’t play (I didn’t see him on the field and he was not recorded on the postgame participation sheet), not even on special teams. … Redshirt-freshman Chase Lucas started returning punts but gave way to Newsome. Sophomore John Humphrey (knee) missed his third game. .. WR Curtis Hodges played a few snaps, becoming ASU’s ninth true freshman to play this season.
Up next
ASU is off this week. The Sun Devils are scheduled to practice Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Their next game is Oct. 14 against No. 6 Washington at Sun Devil Stadium.