Devils in Detail
Fansided

Sun Devils Primer: Game 2 vs Oklahoma State

By Matthew Beebe

TEMPE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 31: ASU students pose for a photo with their Sparky banner during the first half of the Arizona State Sun Devils vs the Southern Utah Thunderbirds football game at Sun Devil Stadium on August 31, 2023 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
TEMPE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 31: ASU students pose for a photo with their Sparky banner during the first half of the Arizona State Sun Devils vs the Southern Utah Thunderbirds football game at Sun Devil Stadium on August 31, 2023 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Arizona State Sun Devils look to continue on the right path to start the 2023 season, Saturday in their second contest of the season vs Oklahoma State.

The Sun Devils are coming off a narrow victory to start the year over Southern Utah 24-21, in head coach Kenny Dillingham and staffs first game in Tempe. The standout performance, although score may not indicate it, was by the defense. ASU’s run defense was stifling and needs to stay in that zone, but recognizing the run is only half the battle. The Cowboys are more of an explosive team with an air raid offense, not quite what they saw in game 1, add that to a seasoned coach with tricks up his sleeve, the Sun Devils are in for a fight.

Stand out Freshman Jaden Rashada will also need to make more of an impact that he did in his debut. Rashada showed flashes of brilliance, but whether it was first game jitters or something else, he needs to let his reads develop consistently and know when to tuck the ball and go. Awareness in the pocket and decision making come in time, however this is D1 football in a power 5 conference, with very little wiggle room for mistakes.

Another standout from game one was transfer Cam Skattebo. The jittery transfer provided a much needed jolt to the Sun Devil offense most of the night, shedding tackles and running with speed, he’s fun to watch. Alongside Skattebo is another transfer in DeCarlos Brooks, who is more of a power back/ fullback than Skattebo, has the ability to be a standout every week. Add to that the play of standout WR Elijah Badger, who had an 81 yard kick return to set up the Sun Devils at a 1st and goal in game 1, a significant threat on the offense for Rashada to go to and makes plays happen.

Overall Arizona State should be able to keep up with the Cowboys high flying offense as they have had some discrepancies over who is their QB1. After having a close game with Central Arkansas in their first game, a win 27-13, there is a lot of hope that the Sun Devils can come to play and walk out of this contest being 2-0 in what is sure to be a battle.