ASU Football: Edwards, team not concerned with Oregon’s struggles

Oregon’s recent skid hasn’t affected the preparation of ASU football, which is looking to move closer toward a Pac-12 South title on Saturday night.

Give Herm Edwards credit.

When asked about evaluating Oregon, a team that has lost three of their last four games after starting 5-1, the first-year college coach didn’t budge.

“I really don’t [evaluate that],” he said. “I worry about us.”

There were tons of ways Edwards could’ve answered the question. He could’ve pointed out a connection, as the Sun Devils had their own streak of four losses in five games. He could’ve discussed the injury to left tackle Penei Sewell, a loss that has left star quarterback Justin Herbert out to dry.

He even could’ve refused to answer the question altogether. But instead – he made it about his team, adding a trend to sum things up.

“There’s a flow in this conference, period,” Edwards said. “I can’t study what’s happened to them [Oregon]. I’m more worried about us. I just try to get our players prepared every week to play a talented football team.”

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With how the flow has gushed in recent weeks, Arizona State is two wins away from a Pac-12 South Title and three wins away from a Rose Bowl appearance. Their midseason struggles have been offset by a first three-game win streak against 15th-ranked Utah and both Los Angeles schools.

Historically, the wins were significant. Saturday marked the first time ASU won three straight since opening 4-0 in 2016. It was also the fifth time in program history they beat USC and UCLA in the same season.

But more importantly, the wins were a realization through what the players have endured.

“When the picture was taken away from us of going to a Pac-12 Championship and all these things, guys were like, ‘Dang, well now we’re playing to go to a bowl [game],'” said quarterback Manny Wilkins. “When that picture was now presented to us again and now we have an opportunity and it’s in our hands – what are you going to do with that?

“It’s on us.”

In his last two games, the redshirt senior has played some of his best downs in a Sun Devil uniform. He completed 76 percent of his passes while averaging 242 yards and two touchdown passes in the two victories.

Saturday’s game will mark the second time Wilkins has faced Oregon in his career. Last season, he tallied 347 yards and three total touchdowns en route to a 37-35 upset over the 24th-ranked Ducks in Tempe.

The year prior, he had to watch on the sidelines as his team fell in a 54-35 shootout at Autzen Stadium. Now suiting up in Eugene for the first time, he knows the challenge won’t be easy.

“It [Autzen Stadium] is probably built to make it louder than the amount of people that are actually there,” he said. “I remember the last time being there, just being on the sidelines, I know it’s a hostile environment.

“Their fans are going to be into it. It’s the only team they have there that’s a big football team there in Eugene. They’re going to come ready to play too, so it’s going to be a fun one.”

While Wilkins can only manage the offense, defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales will be tasked with slowing down Herbert, a potential top-five pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

At 6-feet-6 inches tall and 234 pounds, the junior may be the top quarterback the Sun Devils face this season. Gonzales knows to throw him off, his unit will have to bring pressure early in the game.

“He throws the ball really well in the pocket,” Gonzales said. “He’s got great feet, he can run, he’s smart with his decisions. If he thinks he’s going to get hit from two angles, he’ll slide and make defenders run into each other or take targeting calls.

“He’s potentially the first pick in the NFL Draft this year if he comes out. I hope he does. He’s dangerous.”

If the Sun Devils win, losses from Arizona and Utah would wrap up the Pac-12 South a week before the Territorial Cup. Sure, it wouldn’t be as fun, but it’d be beneficial to know ASU’s fate a week early.

However, one thing is guaranteed this weekend – the Sun Devils aren’t thinking about that. Oregon is who they play on Saturday, and that’s their focus.

“I think every game is important,” Edwards said. “They all matter. If you get caught up in all that other stuff, people try to build games up, and they’re all important because they all count.”

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