ASU Football: Stanford Rewind
By Mike Slifer
ASU fans are still talking about the Sun Devil victory over Stanford on Saturday night. There is plenty to talk about. This victory over the Cardinal may have been the most complete game of the Todd Graham era. Complete, meaning that this ASU team was solid (if not dominant) in all three phases of the game.
Offensively, ASU was looking at a daunting task. Stanford has been a nationally top-performing defense for the last 3 years. This season, they are tops in the nation in scoring defense. The most points they allowed in a game before coming to Tempe was 14 points to Notre Dame two weeks ago. ASU scored 26. Hand in hand with that, ASU had recently struggled running the ball. Against USC, the Sun Devils rushed for only 31 yards. Against Stanford, they had thirty-one yards rushing in their first possession.
In fact, in a development that nobody predicted, this pass-happy offense with a gun-slinging quarterback actually showed more offensive balance than expected. Four out of the first five plays for ASU were running plays. The offensive line held their own, both in the running game and in pass protection. This offense, at least in this game, showed that they are physical, disciplined and capable of sustaining long drives, as opposed to just hitting the opportunistic home run.
On the other side of the ball, the ASU defense was the big story of the night. After three consecutive games (Colorado, UCLA, USC) of giving up a ton of yards, a bunch of points and displaying poor tackling, this Sun Devil defense was uncharacteristically stout. Whether it was the scheme, the personnel or the attitude. This defense grew up on Saturday night. The defensive front held their ground against the run and got pressure on Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan. The secondary covered up Stanford receivers all night long.
Just two weeks ago, the ASU defense forced only one ‘three and out’ at USC. But they forced Stanford to go three and out on their first two possessions. A month ago, they gave up 14 points to Colorado in the second quarter alone. On this night against the Cardinal, they only allowed 10 total points. No college football analysts anywhere, (including Devils in Detail) would have predicted the ASU defense to perform like they did Saturday night.
Finally, the special teams. The kicking game was a disaster for ASU in both games against Stanford last year. Truthfully, in the first five games this season, the special teams have been sub-par. But ASU’s special teams were almost perfect Saturday night. The only blemish would be Zane Gonzalez’ missed field goal from 48 yards on the second possession for ASU. The coverage units were perfect, the return teams were solid. Both the kickers and punters were spot-on. In fact, it was the Cardinal that had issues with special teams. Stanford return specialist Ty Montgomery inexplicably tried to field a booming punt from ASU’s Matt Haack and muffed it. ASU’s Damarious Randall recovered. Then, late in the game, Stanford fumbled on a kickoff return. Those two turnovers led to 10 ASU points.
Just as the loss to UCLA was a team loss, this was a team win. A complete effort by all units and all players. The ASU team that took the field was fundamentally sound, disciplined, focused, motivated and ready to play. It was a statement win and a timely springboard to the second half of the season.