TEMPE – Sun Devil Football is back on the road for a rematch of last year’s Big 12 Championship game as the team takes on the Iowa State Cyclones in Ames on Saturday, Nov. 1.. Scheduled for a 10 a.m. AZT kickoff (12 p.m. local), the contest will be broadcast nationally on TNT-HBO Max (J.B. Long, Mike Golic Jr., Bridget Howard). 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).

 

ON THE CYCLONES

Last season, 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 in the lone contest between the two programs historically.
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.
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.
The Sun Devils went on 35-0 scoring run that matched the largest in Big 12 Championship Game history and the first since Texas over Colorado in 2005.
This season, Iowa State ranks second among Big 12 teams and 27th nationally averaging 61,500 fans per contest with sellouts in each of the season’s first four games.
Since the start of the 2024 season, ISU owns a .727 winning percentage (16-6), among the nation’s Top 20 during that time. Arizona State has the exact same record as the Cyclones during that time.
Iowa State is one of seven teams nationally with two players with 500 yards rushing in Hansen (500) and Sama (544) and the only Big 12 team on the list.

KICKING OFF

It will be old school smashmouth big boy football this weekend with Iowa State (343) and Arizona State (318) entering the weekend ranked first and second among all teams in plays run out of 12 personnel. The next closest team on that list (Minnesota) has just 265 such snaps.
ASU now has 35 fourth down conversions since the start of last year, resulting in 20 touchdowns and four field goals on drives that included one of them. ASU’s 53 fourth-down conversions since 2023 when Kenny Dillingham took the reins are the sixth-most in the FBS.
Under Kenny Dillingham, ASU have 13 games eclipsing 200 rushing yards, going 10-3 in those.
ASU is 10-1 when leading after the first quarter under Kenny Dillingham and has won 13 straight games when leading at halftime, tied for the longest active streak among current Big 12 teams (West Virginia).
ASU has won eight games in the last two seasons in contests decided by seven or fewer points, which is the second-most in the FBS in that time behind only Arkansas State (nine). ASU has an 8-1 record in such games.
Keith Abney’s 259 snaps in coverage without allowing a touchdown are the fourth-most in the country among corners without giving up a score.
Cameron Harpole had played 835 snaps of college football over the last four years before making his first career touchdown reception against Houston last week.
On that same token, Jeff Sims had gone 787 days without throwing a touchdown pass prior to finding Chamon Metayer in the fourth quarter.
Malik McClain had just eight total receptions over his 25 previous career games prior to the Houston contest, where he recorded seven in one game alone.

 

#10THINGS (Twitter-Friendly Notes)

 

The Sun Devils’ have forced 79 missed tackles on running plays this season, good for tenth-best in the FBS.

 

After an uncharacteristic three interceptions in his first two games this year, Sam Leavitt has since set an ASU school record with 178 consecutive passes (and counting) without an interception.

 

Cameron Harpole had played 835 snaps of college football over the last four years before making his first career touchdown reception against Houston last week.

 

Arizona State is one of three FBS teams to have played at least five conference games this season and have two or fewer giveaways combined in those games (Cincinnati, Georgia Tech).

 

Arizona State is one of five FBS teams this season which have yet to allow any points off turnovers (Connecticut, Miami-FL, San Diego State, Temple).

 

ASU has allowed just three touchdown drives in the final four minutes of the first half dating back to 2024 (at CIN last year, at BAY and at UU this year), holding opponents to a 3-for-34 touchdown drive percentage in that stretch (8.8 percent) that is 7th-best in the nation

 

ASU’s 22 sacks are 18th nationally despite the fact that the team blitzes just 20.8 percent of the time – the second-lowest tally in the country.

 

Arizona State has five games this season with at least 35:00 time of possession, tied with Army for the most in the FBS.

 

The Sun Devils are 8-1 in games of seven points or less in the last two seasons, going 5-0 in such games last year and 3-1 thus far this season. Those 8 wins are tied are the second-most in the FBS in that time.

 

Malik McClain had just eight total receptions over his 25 previous career games prior to the Houston contest, where he recorded seven in one game alone.

 

 

BY THE NUMBERS

60 – ASU has held opponents to 30 points or less in 60 of 89 games since 2018 (67.4 percent). That total is notable as it DID allow 30+ in 32 of the 43 previous games (74.4 percent) in a span from 2013- 17. ASU has accomplished this 26 times in 34 games under Kenny Dillingham and Brian Ward. Since 2018, ASU has held opponents to the 400 or less mark for total offensive yards on 53 occasions over 89 games (59.6 percent of the time). For comparison, ASU accomplished the feat just 24 times in the 65 previous games (36.9 percent) from 2013-2017. The team has accomplished the feat 24 times in 34 games under Kenny Dillingham and Brian Ward.

 

53 – Arizona State’s 53 fourth-down conversions since 2023 when Kenny Dillingham took the reins are the sixth-most in the FBS. The squad has 35 fourth down conversions since the start of last year, resulting in 20 touchdowns and four field goals on drives that included one of them. Arizona State has gone for it on fourth down 105 times in the Kenny Dillingham era (including plays negated by penalty), which is the fifth-most among all FBS teams. Ironically, that total is only third-best in the Big 12 behind Baylor (121) and West Virginia (106). The Sun Devils have scored eight touchdowns on fourth down under Dillingham, a total good for 19th in the FBS over the past two-plus seasons.

 

22 –  The Sun Devils are 18th in the FBS with 22 sacks this season and 16th with 55 tackles for loss. The sack total is especially notable as the team had just 24 TOTAL sacks a season ago.   This is a marked change in trend from the past couple seasons, where ASU finished in the lower half of the country in both categories (73rd and 70th in sacks in 2024 and 2023, 83rd and 96th in TFLs). Overall, the team has 79 plays this season that have resulted in a tackle for loss or no gain, good for 38th in the FBS. ASU has had this success despite blitzing just 20.8 percent of the time, the second-LOWEST total in the country. The team has brought four or fewer pass rushers 242 times this year – the 11th-MOST in the country.

 

17 –  Jesus Gomez has already surpassed ASU’s total field goals kicked for the entire SEASON a year ago with his 17 made kicks this season – the third-most in the FBS. ASU made 11 field goals in the entirety of last season. His 70 points this season are 19th among all FBS kickers this season. Gomez is fifth among active FBS players with 63 field goals made in his career and  eighth in total points scored with 303.  He was the first kicker in the FBS this season to make four field goals against a Top-25 or Top-10 team (vs. #7 Texas Tech) and one of just two player’s in the FBS to have two games with four or more field goals this season. . Gomez became just the fifth FBS player since 2015 to make game-winning field goals  in the final two minutes of regulation in back-to-back games (at BAY, vs. TCU)

13 –  Arizona State has won 13 straight games when leading at halftime, tied for the longest active streak among current Big 12 teams (West Virginia) and is 10-1 in the Kenny Dillingham era when leading after the first quarter. The Sun Devils have won six games in the past two seasons in which they were trailing or tied at some point in the fourth quarter – including its last three victories over Baylor, TCU and Texas Tech. The Sun Devils are 8-1 in games of seven points or less in the last two seasons, going 5-0 in such games last year and 3-1 thus far this season. Those 8 wins are tied are the second-most in the FBS in that time (behind Arkansas State’s 9). The Sun Devils are 11-1 in contests where Sam Leavitt does not throw an interception in his time here.

 

0 – Keith Abney’s 284 snaps in coverage without allowing a touchdown are the most in the country among corners without giving up a score. Abney has excelled in man coverage this season, holding opponents to just a 33.3 percent completion rate (6th among Big 12 corners) and a 42.4 NFL QBR when targeted in man (4th in Big 12). His 70.3 grade in man coverage is fourth among Big 12 corners.Abney has allowed just a 46.0 completion percentage this season overall, third-lowest among Big 12 corners and 18th lowest in the FBS (min. 200 pass coverage snaps) while his 10.0 yards allowed per reception are fifth-lowest in the league.

 

AN ASU VICTORY WOULD…

Keep ASU from losing back-to-back games for the first time since the end of the 2023 season
Hand Iowa State just its third loss at Jack Trice Stadium since the start of last season and be the first time the Cyclones lost consecutive games in Ames in consecutive weeks since Oct. 29 and Nov. 3, 2016 against Kansas State and Oklahoma.
Move ASU to 4-2 in Big 12 play to start the conference slate for the second-straight season.

MILESTONE WATCH

Wide receiver Jordyn Tyson is 301 receiving yards away from 2,500 career receiving yards (currently at 2,199). Tyson is three touchdown receptions away from 25 career TD catches (currently at 22). Tyson is one total touchdown shy of 25 career total touchdowns (currently at 24; 1 rushing, 1 punt return, 22 receiving).
Linebacker Keyshaun Elliott is two games played away from 50 career games played (currently at 48).
Defensive back Myles Rowser is three games played away from 50 career games played (currently at 47). Rowser is now 32 tackles away from 300 career tackle.
Defensive lineman Prince Dorbah is two sacks away from 15 career sacks (currently at 13.0). Dorbah is 3.5 tackles for loss away from 25 career TFLs (currently at 21.5).
Quarterback Sam Leavitt is four total touchdowns away from 50 career total touchdowns (currently at 46 = 36 passing; 10 rushing).

MAKING THE GRADE (NOTABLE PFF GRADES)

Chamon Metayer posted the nation’s No. 6 receiving grade among tight ends in Week 9 at 73.0. Teammate Malik McClain was 25th among FBS receivers with his 74.2 grade. McClain and Metayer were the No. 4 and 5 highest graded receivers in the Big 12 for the week.
Justin Wodtly (82.0) was the third-highest graded edge defender in nation in Week 9 on run defense with his 82.0 grade. Myles Rowser posted the nation’s ninth-best run defense grade among safeties at 80.1.
Keith Abney (90.4) and Javan Robinson (90.0) have the nation’s No. 5 and No. 11 tackling grades among all FBS defenders and the second and fourth-highest grades among all FBS corners.
Jordyn Tyson is the FBS’s No. 8 graded wideout on overall offense this season (84.1) and the No. 4 highest receiving grade (85.1).
Sam Leavitt has the FBS’s No. 3 rushing grade among quarterbacks at 83.2.
Max Iheanachor is the nation’s 18th-highest graded tackle as a pass blocker this season with his mark of 77.7.
Jordan Crook is the FBS’s No. 31 linebacker in run defense this season with his grade of 80.7.
Keith Abney is the FBS’s No. 30-highest graded corner on overall defense (78.1) and No. 32 in coverage (76.3).

SIX DEGREES OF SUN DEVIL-ATION

            GOLD RUSH

ASU enters the weekend ranked 48th in the country in averaging 174.9 rushing yards per game. The Sun Devils ranked 20th in the FBS in averaging 199.9 rushing yards per game last year.

The team has rushed for 200 or more yards 13 times under Kenny Dillingham, compiling a 10-3 record when it does. 

ASU is posting a first down or touchdown when it rushes the ball 30.6 percent of the time this year, good for 37th nationally. ASU averaged a rushing first down or touchdown 31.0 percent of the time in 2024, good for 23rd nationally.

The team ranks 41st this season in averaging 3.4 yards after contact per rush. The running backs were especially efficient in punishing opponents last year earning 3.6 yards after contact per rush – 21st in the FBS.

The Sun Devils have forced 79 missed tackles on running plays this year, good for 10th in the FBS. ASU forced 177 missed tackles on run plays last season, second-most in the FBS and were tied for third in the FBS in averaging 0.31 missed tackles forced per running play.

ASU has received a team rushing grade of 95.4 from PFF since the start of 2023, good for 10th-best nationally.

The team’s 0.30 missed tackles forced per rush since 2023 are second in the FBS. The team has averaged 3.3 yards after contact per rush in that time – tied for 24th in the FBS. The team’s 30.6 first down/touchdown percentage since 2023 is 26th in the FBS.

ASU has rushed for 100+ yards in 24 of the team’s 34 games under Kenny Dillingham.

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

ASU will compete with 16 young men this season that have already earned their undergraduate degrees:

Xavion Alford, BA Liberal Studies, 2024
Coben Bourguet, BSE Engineering Management, 2024
Ben Coleman, MA Communication, 2024
Anthonie Cooper, BA Interdisciplinary Studies (Communication/Nutrition and Healthy Living), 2022
Prince Dorbah, BS Communication, 2024
Adama Fall, BA Liberal Studies, 2024
Zyrus Fiaseu, BA Liberal Studies, 2025
Cameron Harpole, BA Communication, 2025
Max Iheanachor, BA Liberal Studies, 2025
Chamon Metayer, BA Liberal Studies, 2025
Elijah O’Neal, BA Liberal Studies, 2024
Kyle Scott, BS Psychology, 2025
Ian Shewell, BS Clinical Exercise Science, 2025
Jeff Sims, BA Liberal Studies, Graduated SP24 (Nebraska)
Clayton Smith, BA Liberal Studies, 2025
Justin Wodtly, BA Liberal Studies, 2025