ASU Football: Why the offense is clicking at the right time
By Trevor Booth
The Growth of a Distinct Defense
Danny Gonzales has been no stranger to criticizing his defense. Week after week, he retains his unit wasn’t “good enough,” that they weren’t doing enough to win and he would quit if things weren’t better within two years.
Maybe, just maybe, he can now admit they’re turning the corner.
Against Utah, the Sun Devils met a dual-threat offense straight on. With a focus on Tyler Huntley and Zack Moss, ASU brought pressure on the former, leading to rushed throws for interceptions by Aashari Crosswell and Merlin Robertson and another snag from Kobe Williams on backup Jason Shelley.
The plays turned momentum, as Crosswell’s pick led to a 14-0 lead and Williams’ allowed ASU to close the game with an 18-point advantage.
Over time, we’ve seen how the 3-3-5 scheme affects the opposition. With defensive linemen dropping in coverage and safeties swarming for tackles, it’s hard to predict which looks are coming.
Now, the freshmen-heavy unit has become one of the program’s biggest improvements. The Sun Devils may be the nation’s 53rd-ranked defense, but the steps from the previous two seasons are well documented.
If this unit keeps forcing takeaways, it will continue to help the battle for time of possession and sustaining offensive momentum.