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

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TEMPE, AZ – NOVEMBER 03: Running back Eno Benjamin #3 of the Arizona State Sun Devils rushes the football against the Utah Utes during the first half of the college football game at Sun Devil Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Running Back

Arizona State running back Eno Benjamin had a breakout season in his first season as a starter.

He’s filled the shoes of former Sun Devils Kalen Ballage and Demario Richard quite well rushing for a school-record 1,524 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Benjamin tallied eight 100-yard rushing games including a record-breaking 312-yard performance against Oregon State on Sept. 29.

If Arizona State had shifted to more of a balanced offense early in the season, Benjamin would have posted even more yards and touchdowns.

It was facing Washington in Week Four that shifted the Sun Devils’ offensive philosophy to lean on Benjamin as the workhorse and it paid dividends.

Benjamin finished as the Pac-12’s leading rusher and the nation’s third-leading rusher as he was named as an AP Third-Team All-American.

While Benjamin gets the majority of carries, Fresno State uses multiple running backs in their offense.

Sophomores Ronnie Rivers and Jordan Mims were the team’s leading rushers as Rivers ran for a team-high 531 yards and eight touchdowns. Mims ran for 436 yards and six touchdowns.

Arizona State ranked 52nd nationally in rush offense while Fresno State ranked 96th in the same category.

Safe to say, Arizona State’s offensive success begins with Benjamin. His ability to break tackles and pick up big plays gives the Sun Devils the nod in the backfield.

Advantage: Arizona State

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