Arizona State Sun Devils 4-2 Overall (2-1 Conference)

This Week’s Score: Arizona State 24 – Washington 17

Next Week’s Opponent: @Stanford

“We were trying to throw a 20-yard comeback to our outside guys and get in field-goal range. We took the tight end and Chris down the seams. I saw him (McGaha) by himself and thought that’s a hell of a play call, Dennis.”- ASU coach Dennis Erickson

The sarcasm in Dennis Erickson’s quote says it all. After all, how did Chris McGaha manage to get 15-20 yards behind the Husky defense? Certainly, Steve Sarksian and Nick Holt will take a lot of heat for the dramatic ending in Tempe, but you have to feel good for embattled quarterback Danny Sullivan. Just a few weeks ago, Sullivan was booed by the Sun Devil faithful as he exited Frank Kush Field after the Oregon State game, but on Saturday night he received thunderous applause for his game-winning 50-yard bomb with 13 seconds left to play.

Will the Devils use this win over the Huskies as a catalyst for a bowl game push? There is still plenty of work to be done, but the Devils appear to be improving each week and that is a very good sign.

The offense is starting to click in Tempe, as ASU racked up 464 yards of offense against the Dawgs. Sullivan played mistake-free, throwing for 263 yards and 1 TD on 21/35 passing. The offensive line continues to get better and better, and it was evident on Saturday as the unit paved the way for 170 yards on the ground while also giving Sullivan more time in the pocket.

Dimitri Nance ran hard on limited carries (13 car. 70 yards) and freshman Cameron Marshall flashed his explosiveness on a 75 yard run. The receivers had a fantastic game, and Kyle Williams even managed to throw a TD to T.J. Simpson (although Williams would later fumble on a sure TD at the goal line).

The defense played with the same fire and intensity that has defined the unit all year, and the night could have been better had it not been for a blown assignment on the first drive of the game (led to a Kearse TD) and the ridiculous penalties throughout the first half (Burfict was responsible for some and the officials were responsible for others). Still, the unit pressured Jake Locker all night and didn’t allow much in the running game.

Now the Devils will try to keep the momentum rolling as they head to Palo Alto for a date with an angry Stanford team. The Cardinal play as physical on offense as ASU does on D, and the battle of #7s (Gerhart vs. Burfict) should be great theater.

Arizona State Sun Devils 3-2 Overall (1-1 Conference)

This Week’s Score: Arizona State 27 – Washington State 14

Next Week’s Opponent: Washington

Having a great day offensively against one of the worst defenses in college football in the Washington State Cougars wouldn’t have magically fixed all of the Sun Devils’ problems on offense; but it could have at least provided a step in the right direction.

Instead, the Sun Devils had a disastrous day on the offensive side of the ball, turning the ball over six times on three fumbles and three Danny Sullivan interceptions. On top of the six turnovers, the Sun Devils were also a woeful 3 for 12 on third down conversions.

The production of Dimitri Nance and Kyle Williams is bittersweet; obviously it’s great to see Nance rush for 113 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries and Williams pick up 126 receiving yards and a touchdown on 13 catches (as well as a huge 53 yard run), but both players, like Sullivan, are seniors. In a game like this, you’d like to see some younger players contribute, especially when the present looks so bleak on offense.

Defensively all systems are still go for the Sun Devils. With the exception of one bad play (ASU obviously didn’t think Jeff Tuel would be throwing long from inside his endzone) that saw Johnny Forzani get behind everyone for a 99-yard touchdown reception, the defense was virtually flawless.

The D racked up 12 sacks, skewing WSU’s rushing total to negative 54 yards, while also forcing two interceptions and two fumbles. Dexter Davis led the way with a sack and an interception, and his unit was impenetrable on Saturday. Taking away the one big play, Arizona State only allowed 82 yards of total offense. That’s just crazy.

Something’s gotta give; either the offense needs to step up and feed off of the defense’s incredible energy, or the offense will continue to sleepwalk and turn the ball over and it will eventually take its toll on the defense. Washington coming to town this week is a big gut check. Riding on the offense’s shoulders is this team’s bowl fate; and quite possibly the fate of Coach Dennis Erickson, too.

And speaking of Erickson, how long before he makes a change at quarterback? What Danny Sullivan lacked in talent he was supposed to make up for with veteran poise and not turning the ball over; but with four interceptions in the last two games, that certainly hasn’t been the case. It may not only be ASU’s season on the line next week, but Sullivan’s starting job as well.

Arizona State Sun Devils 2-1 Overall (0-0 Conference)

This Week’s Score: Georgia 20 – Arizona State 17

Next Week’s Opponent: Oregon State

In their first game against a quality opponent, Arizona State definitely showed us something; they’ve got plenty of compete in them.

Coming into the game as the nation’s top-ranked defense, the Sun Devils did not disappoint, doing an excellent job slowing down the juggernaut Georgia offense. The Bulldogs were held to only 334 yards of total offense, and Joe Cox threw two interceptions; both to Jarrell Holman, who took one of them to the house for a go-ahead score in the third quarter.

In the end, the difference ended up being one of the most explosive players in the sport in A.J. Green. He was the only Bulldog player that the Sun Devils didn’t have an answer for; and there aren’t many teams in the country that do.

Worries about the offense, especially in regards to Danny Sullivan, still remain in the wake of this game. Sullivan was only able to go 10/32 for 116 yards, a touchdown and an interception; not particularly re-assuring against a Georgia team whose defense hasn’t been all that strong this season.

On the positive side of things on offense, Dimitri Nance provided a big spark, racking up 92 rushing yards on 25 carries and 47 yards and a touchdown on four catches. His 139 total yards made up for nearly 70% of the team’s total offense (204 total yards). Kyle Williams led the receiving corps with three catches for 45 yards, and also added 51 yards on three kick returns and 29 yards on two punt returns.

The Georgia game seems to have confirmed what many of us have been assuming would be the case; Arizona State’s defense is strong enough to give them a chance to win against anyone on any given Saturday, but the offense isn’t quite there to put them over the top yet.

Moral victories are never close to as good as the real thing, but the fact that it took a blocked field goal late in the game to prevent ASU from taking the late lead and potentially pulling off the upset should re-enforce the feeling that they can compete with anyone. Dennis Erickson will have his team ready to play against Oregon State, and even with a less-than-stellar offense, there is no reason the Sun Devils shouldn’t be confident heading into conference play.

Arizona State Sun Devils (2-0) vs. Georgia Bulldogs (2-1)
Saturday, September 26, 4:00 PM PST
Las Vegas Favorite: Georgia -11.5

Sam’s Take (20 – 7):

Here are the facts: Georgia is battle-tested already, as the Bulldogs have played three quality opponents with great coaching and talent (especially on offense), while ASU has played two cream puffs.

Does that mean ASU can’t win? No. We still don’t know what the Devils are capable of. But we do know what Georgia is capable of and I don’t think ASU stands a chance if the game becomes a shootout.

Georgia’s offense is clicking on all cylinders right now. QB Joe Cox has been tremendous the last two weeks and A.J. Green may be the best receiver in college football. The Bulldogs also have a variety of other offensive playmakers, so the Sun Devils D cannot cheat too much on Green (as Arkansas did with little success last week). The Devils will need a huge day from DE Dexter Davis and DT Lawrence Guy in order to stop the run and pressure Cox.

Offensively, ASU must continue to play turnover-free football (as was the case in the first two games). QB Danny Sullivan has been solid, but now he will have to prove that he can make plays down the field because I am not sold on the explosiveness of the offense at this point. Losing a Groza Award winning kicker like Thomas Weber to injury doesn’t help either, as he was arguably ASU’s best offensive weapon.

I expect Arizona State’s defense to put up a strong fight, but I also think the unit will be on the field too much. Unless the Devils offense turns it up to another level this Saturday, I think Georgia’s high-powered attack will be too much.

Prediction: Georgia 33 – Arizona State 17

Arizona State Player to Keep an Eye On: WR Kyle Williams - Williams is ASU’s best hope for generating explosion plays, and he will have to deliver on punt returns and as a receiver for the Sun Devils to have a chance.

Georgia Player to Keep an Eye On: TE Orson Charles - A fast, athletic tight end that may be the Bulldogs biggest mismatch option. The freshman is starting to emerge as a reliable target for Joe Cox.

Dave’s Take (20 – 7):

Blowout home win over Idaho State. Bye. Blowout home win over Louisiana-Monroe.

Now the real fun begins; the first road game of the season and it’s against a ranked opponent whose offense has looked downright lethal.

The Sun Devils haven’t done anything in their first two games to change my opinion about how strong their defense is, but this game will really give them a chance to enforce that opinion.

After losing a surprisingly low scoring game in the opener against Oklahoma State (24-10), Georgia has gone into full shootout mode, outshooting South Carolina 41-37 and Arkansas 52-41. The offense has been fantastic, but the defense has been anything but, averaging just under 5 touchdowns surrendered a game (34 PPG).

If the game devolves into a shootout, Georgia will likely overpower the Sun Devils. But if Arizona State’s defense can play their game, I think ASU has a very real shot of winning this one, especially if Georgia’s defensive efforts don’t improve.

With the limited information at my disposal, I just don’t know enough about the offensive line and Danny Sullivan starting in a hostile environment to take the Sun Devils in the outright upset here. I do predict, however, that Georgia will have their hands full for most of the game.

Prediction: Georgia 28 – Arizona State 24

The Sun Devils return three of their top four receivers from 2008 (losing Mike Jones to graduation). All three are upper classmen, and should assist Sullivan in his transition as the new starting QB.

One of the conference’s most experienced receivers is sure-handed senior Chris McGaha. The 6-1 199 pound wideout has 112 career receptions for 1,569 yards and five touchdowns. Last season, he finished second on the team in catches and yards with 35 receptions for 501 yards and one touchdown. He had career highs in 2007 with 61 catches for 830 yards, which earned him honorable mention for All-Pac-10 honors.

McGaha is a fan favorite for the Sun Devil faithful because of his unique ability to make catches that seem impossible. The Phoenix (AZ) native has abnormally long fingers, which he uses to stab almost any ball in his area, often using only one hand. His crisp route running and deceptive speed make him ASU’s number one receiver.

Chris McGaha hauls one in by the fingertips

McGaha had a nagging toe injury for most of last season, but seems to be fully recovered. He ran very well during the spring and enters his final season in Tempe ready to make a big impact.

The most explosive Sun Devil receiver is senior Kyle Williams. Williams is an all-purpose threat, capable of scoring from anywhere on the field. The Chaparral High School (AZ) standout made 19 receptions for 364 yards and four touchdowns last season (19.2 yards per catch). His four touchdown grabs tied a team high from 2008, and all four of his scores were catches of 20 yards or more. For his career, Williams has 52 catches for 811 yards and 10 TDs.

Williams is an electric return man as well. He led the Pac-10 with 17.0 yards per punt return during 2008, and was named first-team All-Pac-10 as a returner in 2007.

At 5-10 186 pounds, Williams has tremendous speed and quickness, making him ideal for the slot receiver spot. He enters 2009 as the big-play threat in the ASU passing attack.

The third starter at the position is junior Kerry Taylor. Taylor is a cross between Williams and McGaha, possessing excellent hands and good acceleration. The 6-0 197 pound receiver made 27 receptions for 405 yards and three touchdowns. Taylor averaged 15 yards per catch and had a reception in nine of the team’s 12 games.

Last season was Taylor’s first as a steady contributor, playing in all 12 games and making six starts. He displays excellent route running technique, and is not afraid to go across the middle. The Chandler (AZ) native will be counted on to contribute quite a bit, as he is one of the Devils main receiving threats for 2009.

Kerry Taylor runs in for the score

The x-factor at receiver could be true sophomore Gerell Robinson. At 6-4 230 pounds, Robinson is a towering receiver with incredible natural ability. He played sparingly in 2008 and finished with only three catches for 26 yards. Robinson was one of Dennis Erickson’s signature recruits for 2008, and he’s worked hard in the off-season hoping to meet the high expectations that were set for him when he arrived in Tempe. He has next-level ability, and could be a perfect option in the redzone.

Assuming he progresses this season, Robinson will give the Sun Devils a tall receiving target similar to Michael Jones role with the team over the last few seasons. The Rivals.com 4-star prospect out of Hamilton High School (AZ) was a U.S. Army All-American selection as a prep star. He figures to see significantly more playing time this season than he did as a freshman.

Tight Ends

The tight end spot may feature a number of providers for ASU in 2009.

Versatile senior Jovon Williams lacks a significant body of work, but possesses the type of athleticism that could make him a receiving threat for Danny Sullivan to utilize. At 6-4 231 pounds, Williams also has the size to be a solid blocker. The Covina (CA) native has only four career catches for 44 yards, but should see a ton of action in 2009.

Sophomore Dan Knapp showed great promise early in 2008 before missing the rest of the season with an injury against USC. In his limited action, he had three catches for 29 yards and one touchdown. The Reno (NV) native has the best combination of blocking and receiving skills of all the ASU tight ends. He is also the tallest of the group, measuring 6-5 258 pounds. Knapp missed some of spring ball with injuries, but should be healthy and ready to contribute frequently this fall.

True freshman Chris Coyle could be called on for Arizona State in 2009. The 6-3 235 pound standout from Oaks Christian (CA) was selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American game as a high school senior, and was known as a great pass-catching tight end during his prep career. Coyle will attempt to work his way into the rotation this fall.

Other receivers and tight ends that could see time in 2009 are: seniors Brandon Smith and Stanley Malamala, sophomore T.J. Simpson, and freshmen Max Smith, A.J. Pickens, Allante Battle, Jarrid Bryant and Steven Figueroa.

My Take

The Devils have some proven commodities at wide receiver. I love McGaha’s circus-catch ability, and I’m looking forward to watching him play injury free. Williams is a dynamic all-purpose threat, and Taylor is a very good compliment to both of them.

The tight ends don’t have as much upside, and the unit must quickly develop an identity. Jovon Williams is talented but unproven, and the same could be said for Knapp. Obviously the offensive line will need help blocking from these tight ends, so it is important that a go-to-guy surfaces.

Gerell Robinson could be the most exciting difference between the 2008 receiving corp and the one debuting this fall in Tempe. He seems ready to make a splash, and I believe he will have a breakout year for ASU.

If Danny Sullivan has time to throw, this group of wideouts should help revive the Sun Devil’s offense in 2009.