Sun Devils host Michigan State in first Big Ten matchup since 2013

Herm Edwards’ time at Arizona State started about as well as it could’ve, with the Sun Devils cruising to a 49-7 victory over UTSA.

Despite Edwards calling the offense “vanilla” in the postgame press conference, the unit accumulated 503 yards. Manny Wilkins completed 16 passes on 24 attempts for 237 yards and four touchdowns, and N’Keal Harry caught six passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns.

The defense also stood out in the opener, allowing just one touchdown in the fourth quarter and forcing three turnovers, including a pick six.

“We created a lot of negative plays,” Edwards said. “I think our defensive line did a nice job of really establishing the line for us.”

Following the win, the Sun Devils now turn their attention to No. 15 Michigan State, which survived a close call against Utah State last Friday.

Essential Info

What: Arizona State vs. Michigan State

When: 7:45 p.m.

TV: ESPN

Storylines to follow

Will penalties continue to haunt ASU?

While ASU fired on almost every cylinder Saturday, penalties were an issue.

The Sun Devils committed 11 penalties for a total of 95 yards, eight of which were in the first half. Most notably, Jalen Harvey was ejected from the game following a targeting call.

Edwards seemed irritated with the team’s discipline in the press conference, so expect to see fewer penalties in week two. In his Monday press conference, Edwards said the team will have to fix the penalties if it wants to have a chance against MSU.

“We made some boneheaded plays and you gotta alleviate it because you can’t have 11 penalties in a game and expect to win,” Edwards said. “You’re not going to have 11 penalties against this team and expect to win.”

Which Brian Lewerke will show up?

Despite high expectations, Michigan State quarterback Brian Lewerke was inconsistent in 2017. He once again came into the season with high expectations this year, and his first game of the 2018 campaign showed both his strengths and weaknesses.

He struggled to start the game, throwing a pick six and losing a fumble early against Utah State, but Lewerke gained confidence as the game went on. Lewerke finished the game 23-for-33 with 287 yards and two touchdowns.

Prior to his Michigan State career, Lewerke attended Pinnacle High School in Phoenix. Often times, players get distracted when they return home, but Edwards said Lewerke is experienced enough to not lose focus.

“Coming home can be a burden to a young guy, sometimes because of all the requests and all the guys that will want to talk to him all week,” Edwards said. “But, like I said, this team is a team that is used to the spotlight. That’s why they’re so successful.”

If ASU’s defense can put as much pressure as they did on UTSA’s Cordale Grundy, it will be interesting to see how Lewerke performs.

Will Sun Devil Stadium be packed?

In the opener, the students did a phenomenal job of filling the Inferno at the south end zone, but the attendance in the rest of the stadium was spotty. Since the game wasn’t close, the crowd didn’t play a major role in affecting the outcome, but this week, the crowd could be a big factor.

Michigan State opens as 6.5-point favorites against the Sun Devils, so having a good crowd could give ASU an advantage as the game progresses.

Will the running game continue its effectiveness?

Throughout the offseason, Edwards referred to his running backs as the team’s “best-kept secret.” On Saturday, the backs proved he may have been correct.

Sophomore Eno Benjamin and JUCO transfer Isaiah Floyd were lethal on the ground, combining for 210 yards and a touchdown each. What was most impressive about how they played is the way they burst through the hole with speed and shed tacklers.

Edwards had high praise for Benjamin in Monday’s presser.

“Eno is quite the player as you witnessed,” Edwards said. “He’s tough. He can run inside, run outside. He does it all, he’s a complete running back.”

However, Michigan State’s run defense is one of the best in the country, and the Spartans limited Utah State to just 25 rushing yards on 25 carries in the opener.

Key Sun Devils

WR N’Keal Harry

In the season opener, N’Keal Harry did N’Keal Harry things. Catching six passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns, Harry was the offensive juggernaut he usually is against the Roadrunners.

With Michigan State’s stout run defense, Wilkins and the offense will likely rely on the passing game, and Harry is his go-to target. Expect to see tight coverage, and possibly a double team, on Harry.

DE Shannon Forman

ASU’s defense was disruptive early in the opener, thanks in part to Shannon Forman. The 299-pound defensive end intercepted and returned a Cordale Grundy pass for a touchdown to give ASU an early 14-0 lead.

Michigan State’s offensive line played poorly against Utah State and allowed three sacks, and if it plays like that against ASU, the front six could put significant pressure on Lewerke.

Key Spartans

RB Connor Heyward

Despite not getting much push from the offensive line, Connor Heyward shined Saturday. The sophomore rushed for 42 yards and two touchdowns on just five carries.

Heyward’s performance against Arizona State is dependent on the success of his offensive line.

WR Felton Davis

ASU has one of the nation’s premier receivers in Harry, but the Spartans also have an elite wideout on their roster: Felton Davis.

In the USU win, Davis made an acrobatic catch to put Michigan State right outside the red zone. That was one of his three catches in the game, and he also scored a touchdown in the second quarter.

If the Sun Devils struggle to defend him early, he could see a double team as the game evolves.

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