ARIZONA STATE FOOTBALL

ASU football goes classic maroon and gold as heavy favorites vs. NAU

Sep 1, 2022, 8:08 AM

The Arizona State Sun Devils will begin the 2022 football season flush in their school colors, wearing maroon jerseys with gold pants and helmets Thursday against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks.

ASU’s jersey combination will be topped by their pitchfork helmets.

Time

7 p.m.

Radio

ESPN 620 AM and 98.7 FM HD-2

TV

Pac-12 Networks

What’s new at ASU

Thursday marks the debut for ASU’s two first-year coordinators: Glenn Thomas on the offensive side and Donnie Henderson for the Sun Devils’ defense.

It’s also the first game in a Sun Devil uniform for starting quarterback Emory Jones, a Florida transfer who brings 432 passing attempts and four years of college experience to the table for a squad that features massive roster turnover from a season ago.

What’s old at NAU

Entering its fourth season under former ASU defensive coordinator Chris Ball, Northern Arizona has most of its offense back.

That offense features running back Kevin Daniels, who rushed for 1,146 yards a year ago and was 13th in FBS by averaging 128.7 all-purpose yards per game. NAU quarterback R.J. Martinez also returns after he threw 14 touchdowns and two interceptions over eight games as a freshman last season.

Ball served under former ASU assistant Mike Norvell at Memphis for three years before arriving at NAU. Before that, in 2012-15, he was at Arizona State serving as defensive passing game coordinator and safeties coach.

NAU vs. ASU betting odds

The Sun Devils enter gameday as a 26.5-point favorite over the Lumberjacks, according to the FanDuel Sportsbook.

The over/under is set at 52.5 points scored between the two teams.

The moneyline for an ASU victory is at -4000, while it is +1400 for NAU.

Arizona State has won its last 22 home openers. The Sun Devils face an NAU team that last year pulled off a victory against ASU’s rivals, the Arizona Wildcats, in their third game of the season.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Arizona State Football

Arizona State wide receiver Javen Jacobs during 2023 spring ball in Tempe, Arizona. (Sun Devil Athl...
Jake Anderson

ASU’s pass-catcher competition includes ‘deep wideout and tight end positions’

The Arizona State Sun Devils have a plethora of talent on the offensive side of the football when it comes to pass catchers.
4 days ago
Arizona State true freshman quarterback Jaden Rashada gives the "forks up" after a spring ball prac...
Jake Anderson

Arizona State’s QB battle heats up after 1st week of spring ball with Jaden Rashada

There are six on the roster, half of which are returners, while two are transfers and one is freshman five-star dual-threat QB Jaden Rashada.
7 days ago
Arizona State defensive back Chris Edmonds, celebrates his pass interception with linebacker Will S...
Jake Anderson

Communication is key for Arizona State’s new defense early on in spring ball

Communication is key in defense, especially in the modern era of college football where offenses are running quick-tempo, hurry-up offenses.
9 days ago
Arizona State University president Michael Crow interviews with Doug & Wolf on 98.7 FM Arizona'...
Kevin Zimmerman

ASU, Arizona presidents: Not preparing to leave for Big 12

The presidents of Arizona State University and the University of Arizona went on the record reaffirming their commitment to the Pac-12.
10 days ago
Kenny Dillingham. (Twitter Photo/@ASUFootball)...
Jake Anderson

Kenny Dillingham instills ‘just compete’ philosophy on Day 1 of ASU spring ball

The first day of spring ball for ASU with new head coach Kenny Dillingham had a vastly different vibe than previous regimes.
11 days ago
Quarterback Trenton Bourguet #16 of the Arizona State Sun Devils throws a pass during the second ha...
Kellan Olson

ASU QB Trenton Bourguet far more healthy in 2023 after 2-year foot issues

ASU's spring starter at quarterback will be able to utilize his skill set in a way he hasn't been physically able to since training camp of 2021.
12 days ago
ASU football goes classic maroon and gold as heavy favorites vs. NAU