ASU Football: Who has the edge at each position in Las Vegas Bowl?

Quarterback

Saturday’s game will feature two senior quarterbacks looking to end their collegiate career on the right note.

First, we’ll begin with ASU’s signal caller Manny Wilkins.

Wilkins has had some bumps this season, but he’s been a largely consistent performer week-in and week-out for the Sun Devils.

Despite going on his fourth offensive coordinator in four years, Wilkins completed 63 percent of his passes throwing for 2,896 yards, 19 touchdowns and four interceptions.

Facing off against Wilkins is Fresno State quarterback Marcus McMaryion. A transfer from Oregon State, McMaryion completed nearly 70 percent of his passes throwing for 3,453 yards, 25 touchdowns and three interceptions.

Both also use their legs to gain yards with Wilkins rushing for 416 yards and eight touchdowns and McMaryion rushed for 253 yards and seven touchdowns.

As you can see, the numbers are pretty similar. McMaryion threw for more passing yards than Wilkins, but Wilkins had a running back in Eno Benjamin that ate into his stats.

While Benjamin rushed for 1,524 yards this season, Fresno State’s leading tailback, Ronnie Rivers, rushed for only 531 yards.

You also have to account for Wilkins facing a much stiffer schedule than McMaryion, but they do have a couple of common opponents in UCLA and San Diego State.

Against the Bruins, McMaryion threw for 270 yards and one touchdown while rushing for four touchdowns in a 38-14 win.

Wilkins threw for 199 yards, one touchdown and one interception while rushing for two touchdowns against UCLA in a 31-28 win.

Against the Aztecs, McMaryion threw for 267 yards and one touchdown while Wilkins threw for 341 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for one score. Fresno State defeated SDSU 23-14 while ASU suffered their first loss of the season, 28-21.

In a narrow race, McMaryion has the slight edge over Wilkins due to him showing more consistency and recording fewer turnovers.

Advantage: Fresno State