TEMPE – After losing Cam Skattebo to the NFL, many thought that the Arizona State rushing attack would not be as efficient this year compared to last year. In week one against Northern Arizona, junior running back Kyson Brown stood out. In week two against Mississippi State, junior Kanye Udoh stood out. Redshirt junior Raleek Brown finally got his chance to stand out on Saturday, and he did just that.
Arizona State football (2-1) defeated Texas State (2-1) by the score of 34-15. The Sun Devils continued their ground-and-pound style offense.
“Running the ball is one of those things you have to be really dedicated to,” Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham said.
Raleek Brown had logged two solid games in the first two weeks, but was not the primary back in either one. With Kyson Brown out, Raleek got his chance against the Bobcats. He had 12 carries for 144 yards and a touchdown. His statement run was a 75-yard house call to start a drive.
“He made the jump I feel (Jordyn Tyson) did last year,” Dillingham said. “He’s been the diamond people forget about.”
Redshirt sophomore Sam Leavitt had a good game, which was needed after his shaky performance last week at Mississippi State. He had 188 yards in the air with a 149.6 quarterback rating. The Oregon native had 59 rushing yards and a touchdown.
To the surprise of no one, Leavitt’s favorite target was redshirt junior Jordyn Tyson. Tyson had six catches for 105 yards and a touchdown. He continued to make multiple insane catches.
“The was nowhere else to go but up,” Tyson said on his touchdown catch.
The tight ends got some action as well. Junior Khamari Anderson caught his first catch as a Sun Devil. Redshirt senior Chamon Metayer caught a career-high six balls for 60 yards, and he took one to the crib for a touchdown.
The third down conversion rate was the only negative on the offense as they were 5-13. This is improved from previous games but leaves a bit to be desired.
The defense had two takeaways. Junior defensive back Keith Abney forced a fumble that was recovered by fellow defensive back in senior Myles Rowser. Junior defensive lineman C.J. Fite forced and recovered a fumble.
Arizona State had five players each record a sack. Senior linebacker Jordan Crook had 3.5 tackles for loss, the most of all the Sun Devils, as the team had ten total.
The run defense held Texas State to 2.8 yards per carry on 42 attempts. The pass defense allowed 184 yards on 36 attempts. The team was without redshirt senior defensive back Xavion Alford, and redshirt sophomore Adrian “Boogie” Wilson played well.
Redshirt senior kicker Jesus Gomez made all of his kicks. Redshirt junior punter Matthew McKenzie struggled with 35.5 yards per punt as sophomore Kanyon Floyd was dealing with an injury. Redshirt junior running back Jaylen Jenkins had a 41-yard kick return for Texas State, so that will be something that the Sun Devils need to clean up.
“We put pride in our backs, three (Raleek Brown), six (Kanye Udoh) and one (Kyson Brown) are (heck) of a players,” Leavitt said.