ASU Football: Danny Gonzales expects more from defensive unit

ASU football‘s defense was nearly perfect in their win over UTSA. Defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales isn’t impressed yet.

There wasn’t much negative to write about Arizona State’s defense last Saturday. The Sun Devils forced two fumbles, intercepted a pass and kept UTSA from scoring until the fourth quarter.

Defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales noted the praise as one of his biggest concerns.

“I think you have to have confidence,” Gonzales said. “You have to believe in yourself. But when you get complacent, and everybody’s patting you on the shoulder, it’s real easy to think you’re a lot better than you are.

“We’re not very good yet.”

Among the few issues present against the Roadrunners were penalties. ASU accrued 11 as a team, and some kept the Devils from ending scoring drives.

It also brought ASU down one of its best players. Senior safety Jalen Harvey was ejected for targeting after diving at the Roadrunners’ Cordale Grundy in the midst of a slide.

“You have to understand the situation of who that is,” Gonzales said. “Quarterbacks–you can’t touch them. When you see a quarterback give himself up and go foot-first, you got to be smart and dive over him and avoid [it].”

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Now facing Michigan State, the Sun Devils must limit their mistakes. The Spartan offense is led by junior quarterback Brian Lewerke, who excels at making plays off play action schemes.

Behind Lewerke are two efficient running backs in LJ Scott and Connor Heyward, who combined for 126 yards and two touchdowns in their win over Utah State. Gonzales knows that if his team has any chance of winning, they’ll have to plug the Spartans on the ground.

“They want to shorten the game,” Gonzales said. “If you want to have any success, you can’t let them run the ball. And that’s the goal.

“We’re going to play hard and try to make them throw it, and when they throw it, hopefully we make some plays in coverage.”

Last week, the Devils had great success in stopping the run. The team held the Roadrunners to two rushing yards on 34 carries, allowing Chase Lucas and the secondary to keep their focus deep in the field.

However, Gonzales noted consistency being an issue since the team’s Spring Game in March. It had him worried during the whole week of practice.

But up to that point, the team had impressed him on the field.

“They came to work,” Gonzales said, “And they said the right things and they had the right attitude. And it’s going to be communicated to them to stay humble. Humility is the best thing. If we can stay that course, you’ll see a lot of improvement between week one and two.”

In a few hours, that preparation will be tested. N’Keal Harry and the offense must produce, but a victory will likely come down to the defense controlling time of possession.

Gonzales understands the task at hand. He wants to ensure his unit does too.

“My philosophy [is] the team that plays the hardest the longest wins,” Gonzales said. “And we’ve got to play harder and more physical and be tougher than they are. And if we’re willing to throw our bodies around, we’ll have a chance. If they ain’t tough enough, we won’t.”

All quotes in this article were obtained firsthand from Devils in Detail unless otherwise noted.