ARIZONA STATE FOOTBALL

By the numbers: Arizona State’s defense stands out through 5-1 start

Oct 11, 2021, 7:45 PM

Arizona State coach Antonio Pierce talks with players during the team’s first preseason practice ...

Arizona State coach Antonio Pierce talks with players during the team’s first preseason practice Wednesday, July 31, 2019, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)

(Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)

Defeating the Stanford Cardinal on Saturday made for the third time in five games that the Arizona State Sun Devils held an opponent below 20 points.

Doing that at better-than-.500 frequency stands out these days.

So far, a 27-17 loss to BYU stands as the Sun Devils’ most points allowed.

It’s not surprising for a team that returned nearly all of its starters from a year ago. But ASU has met expectations despite its defensive backs coach, Chris Hawkins, being put on leave amid an NCAA investigation. And it’s met them after losing arguably it’s most highly touted pro prospect, defensive tackle Jermayne Lole to a season-ending injury.

While defensive coordinator Antonio Pierce is on the job for the first time solo — he held a co-defensive coordinator title prior — he’s getting a passing grade through six games.

“Outstanding job (by Pierce). When you’re only allowing (16.2 point per game), you have a chance in college football to win a lot of games, there’s no doubt about that,” ASU head coach Herm Edwards told Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta on Monday.

“I just think his experience as a former player has helped him. But also being here: I mean, he knows a lot of these players, helped build what we had. He got here when I arrived. He’s done a magnificent job putting his blueprint on it.”

Here’s a quick glance at the Sun Devils defense thus far, by the numbers.

16.2

Arizona State is tied for 12th in college football by allowing 16.2 points per game. That has helped their points differential average at 13.2 points per game, which is 17th-best in the country.

10

Edwards’ crew has created 10 turnovers — eight interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Cornerback Jack Jones and linebacker Darien Butler have the co-lead with two picks apiece.

Jones is coming off a one-pick, two passes defensed game against Stanford.

“I think you’re watching a guy who has bought into the system and really knows he has opportunity to play at the next level,” Edwards said of Jones on Monday. “Him and Chase (Lucas) as well. Chase got a little nicked up, didn’t finish the game, but we have two corners who we feel we can play a lot of man-to-man defense with — just put them out there and let them cover guys.”

39

Through five games, linebackers Kyle Soelle and Butler lead the team with 39 total tackles.

21

Averaging 3.5 sacks per game (21 total this year), the Sun Devils are in the top-11 in terms of sack production. Interestingly, they’ve gotten the most sack production from two local products: Anthonie Cooper (3.5 sacks) out of Millennium High School in Goodyear and Tyler Johnson (3.0) from Highland High School in Gilbert.

34th

Football Outsiders’ defensive points per drive (DPD) statistic, the total net points scored per opponent offensive drive, is 1.68, good for 34th-best in the country.

16th

Arizona State ranks 16th in ESPN’s SP+ rating through six weeks.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona State Football

Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham reacts during the second half of the team's NCAA college footb...

Vincent DeAngelis

Kenny Dillingham talks Jaden Rashada injury, revamped roster ahead of spring ball

ASU football coach Kenny Dillingham addressed quarterback Jaden Rashada's injury, revamped roster and NIL ahead of start of spring ball

6 days ago

Jaden Rashada on the football field...

Arizona Sports

Report: ASU’s Jaden Rashada dealing with thumb injury, will miss spring ball

ASU's Jaden Rashada won't be a full participant in spring ball due to a thumb injury on his throwing hand suffered earlier in the year.

7 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: What is Bobby Hurley’s future at Arizona State?

On the latest State of the Sun Devil podcast the guys react to the end of men's basketball season, and wonder what the future of the program will be and how the offseason will unfold. Plus, reactions to football's pro day.

13 days ago

ASU football field...

Dan Bickley

Arizona State reaches rock bottom at end of Pac-12 stay

Rock bottom is mostly a metaphor, a cliché for sports teams that have fallen and can’t get up. But you can find it on the map at ASU.

13 days ago

Michael Crow, Arizona State University president...

Kevin Zimmerman

Now would be a good time for Arizona State to hire an athletic director

Who's to make a decision on Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley without an athletic director? Michael Crow must make a decision soon.

14 days ago

ASU QB Drew Pyne...

Arizona Sports

Former ASU starting QB Drew Pyne headed to Missouri

After playing in just two games in his ASU football career, quarterback Drew Pyne is moving on to the Missouri Tigers.

18 days ago

By the numbers: Arizona State’s defense stands out through 5-1 start