Devils in Detail
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ASU Football: A look behind enemy lines, UTSA edition

By Cody Whitehouse

MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 04: Running back Tyrell Clay #22 of the UTSA Roadrunners carries during the second half of the game against the FIU Panthers at Riccardo Silva Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 04: Running back Tyrell Clay #22 of the UTSA Roadrunners carries during the second half of the game against the FIU Panthers at Riccardo Silva Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images) /
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The first edition of ASU football‘s “A look behind enemy lines” is an interview with a UTSA beat writer as the Roadrunners face the Sun Devils Saturday.

Each week this season, Devils in Detail will be publishing a Q&A with a writer covering Arizona State’s upcoming opponent in a series branded “Behind Enemy Lines”.

This week we caught up with Ryan Garza (@RyanGarza63), who is the sports editor at The Paisano, UTSA’s independent student newspaper.

The Roadrunners face ASU at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe at 7:30 p.m. MST on Saturday. Check out Garza’s work at The Pasiano.

After having a top-10 defense in many statistical categories last season including ranking fifth in total defense, how will UTSA overcome the losses of first-round draft pick Marcus Davenport and defensive coordinator Pete Golding?

I believe that even though Davenport and Pete Golding are gone, I still believe that the foundation that coach Golding has laid will still find success. The front seven for the Roadrunners is still pretty deep and reliable. Senior defensive tackle Kevin Strong Jr. will be a key playmaker for this defense and junior defensive end Eric Banks was a leading tackler last season. Senior linebacker Les Maruo is poised to be a strong veteran presence for this defense along with Josiah Tauaefa.

What kind of production can we expect from linebacker Josiah Tauaefa after suffering a season-ending knee injury a year ago?

Josiah is a fighter and arguably the heart and soul of our defense, I expect him to bounce back to his normal self and more than likely lead the team in tackles by the end of the season. This guy is something else and has what it takes to elevate a team to new levels.

After an offseason quarterback competition that saw head coach Frank Wilson announce junior Cordale Grundy as the starter against Arizona State, what can we expect from Grundy this season?

Grundy winning the starting QB job was actually something I’m glad happened because I think the former JUCO player can bring an immediate impact to our team. Grundy had over 1,400 passing yards and over 500 on the ground playing at Northeastern Oklahoma and helped his school to a Southwest Junior College Football Conference Championship and a bowl game. He’s performed very well during the offseason so if he can fend off backup D.J Gillins (who will split reps with Grundy this weekend) I think he will have a very productive year.

In your opinion what is the biggest strength of this team?

The biggest strength of this team would have to be the defense. The front seven is stacked and under the right leadership with former LB coach Jason Rollins being promoted to DC I expect Rollins to keep a lot of the same schemes and have similar production to last season again this year.

What is the biggest overall weakness?

The biggest weakness I would say is the young receivers and a new quarterback trying to gain chemistry. These groups have been practicing all offseason but I’m just not sure how well the groups can gel with each other this season.

After averaging over 180 yards per game last season on the ground, what can we expect from the running back position for the Roadrunners?

I expect the RB position to be performing at a very high level this season and it has to with new OC Al Borges who is a running back guru. Senior RB Jalen Rhodes will lead the pack for the ‘Runners. Rhodes had 1,728 yards rushing last season along with 17 touchdowns and I don’t expect his productivity to fall off this season. Backup RB B.J. Daniels was named the 2018 spring offseason MVP, so I expect that success to carry over this fall.

Who are some key players you expect to make an impact in Saturday’s game?

I expect RB Jalen Rhodes to have a strong day on the ground. I also think that LB Josiah Tauaefa to have a very solid day on the defense. Starting QB Cordale Grundy will prove the case that he should remain the starting QB for the rest of the season. Small side note here but I am a guy who loves kickers and I think if things get tight this weekend that sophomore kicker Jared Sackett can get the job done for us.

What is your prediction for this Saturday’s game?

I think the game will be very chippy and close one for both teams, but I think that the Sun Devils can come out on top when it’s all said on done since there is a just a lot of questions for the Roadrunner offense. My final score is 35-24 ASU.

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