ASU defense turning a new leaf over past 4 games

(Photo: ASU Athletics)

The Arizona State Sun Devils scored a season-low 20 points against the Utah Utes, yet still managed to earn a fourth consecutive victory. Leading the way for ASU was a strong defensive performance, as Utah managed just 17 yards in the fourth quarter.

“Coach [Todd] Graham always says that defense wins championships,” ASU defensive end Gannon Conway said. “As long as they don’t score, we’re going to win. Our offense is going to put some touchdowns on the board.”

Taylor Kelly and the Sun Devils offense did exactly that in the final quarter of the team’s victory over Utah, recording two touchdowns to erase a 12-point deficit. Make no mistake though, it was the strong defensive performance that lifted ASU to victory.

“It does a lot for our confidence,” All-American defensive tackle Will Sutton said of the defensive showing. “It says we’re a real good team, we play defense and defense is what’s going to win us a championship.”

While the dominant 2012 season of Sutton and Carl Bradford drew the most attention during the offseason, the high-flying offense has led the way in 2013. With 43.7 points per game, the Sun Devils have the nation’s 8th-ranked scoring offense, but the defense is beginning to find a rhythm to match it.

After allowing an average of 30 points and 393 yards in the first five games of the season, the defense has given up just over 19 points and 257 yards per game during their four-game win streak.

“We just continue to get better,” ASU head coach Todd Graham said of the defense. “Early in the year, we had some deficits. I think we’ve kind of patched those deficits and the reality is that we have guys playing at a really high level.”

One big difference for ASU has been a pass rush that is finally managing to get to the passer after tallying only seven sacks in the first five games of the season.

During the team’s four-game win streak, the Sun Devils have accumulated 17 sacks, an even better rate than the 3.9 sacks per game that the team averaged in 2012.

“We’re better than we were last year,” Sutton said. “We’re not playing not to mess up this year; guys are just out there playing.”

While Sutton’s production is far from the 12 sacks he racked up during his All-American season in 2012, his contributions have still been felt. With the nationally-praised defensive tackle drawing double teams, players like Bradford, Conway and Davon Coleman have seen their statistics skyrocket.

“It really spreads out our defense,” Conway said of Sutton’s presence in the middle. “Teams have to say ‘We need to stop [Sutton] because he’s a threat,’ but that opens up things for our other defensive players to make plays.”

With the Oregon State Beavers coming to Sun Devil Stadium on Saturday, the Arizona State defense will have to find plays against an offense that has racked up more passing yards than any in the nation.

While a potential game against UCLA with the Pac-12 South Division title on the horizon, the focus of the Arizona State defenders is squarely on stopping the passing attack of Sean Mannion and the Beavers.

“We’re studying for Oregon State and that’s all we’re thinking about,” Sutton said. “Oregon State is the team in our way trying to stop us from what we’re trying to reach.”

Arizona State and Oregon State are scheduled to kickoff at 7:30 local time with television coverage on Pac-12 Network.

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