ASU Football: Stopping the run a point of emphasis for the Sun Devils

(Photo: Scotty Bara/WCSN)

The Arizona State defense has been a curious case. Everybody has seen the clutch gene the unit has possessed late in games, when stops are necessary. It’s been the pass defense that has received most of the attention all season, predominantly because of their susceptibility to allowing big plays and the fact that ASU has had multiple interceptions in two of their four games.

Heading into the contest against USC on Saturday, however, it is the run defense that will play a big factor in determining the success of the Sun Devils. Last week, the front seven forced Cal quarterback Davis Webb to shoulder much of the load because they took away the run in the second half, which led to multiple interceptions.

The Golden Bears, led by the duo of Khalfani Muhammed and Vic Enwere, had 159 total yards on the ground last Saturday, but just 24 in the second half.

Part of the success can be attributed to the return of Salamo Fiso, who head coach Todd Graham called one of the most important communicators on the defense. He was one of the team leaders with nine tackles against Cal.

Now, as ASU’s Pac-12 schedule continues, Fiso and the rest of this defensive unit will have to shut down USC in the same way that they handled the Golden Bears.

“They’re the two best running backs we have faced all season,” Graham said about Trojans’ running backs Justin Davis and Ronald Jones II. “We aren’t going to see any better.”

According to Graham, however, the game plan is simple.

“Tackle,” Graham simply said when asked what the defense has to do to shut down the run game.

Missed tackles have been an issue for ASU, especially in the first half of games. Graham’s answer was vague but still true in the sense that fewer missed tackles will lead to more pressure for redshirt freshman quarterback Sam Darnold to throw the ball. This figures to be a point of emphasis in ASU’s game plan, granted he is making just his second career start.

The Trojans have averaged 143 rushing yards per game in their first four contests. They are led on the ground by Davis, who has rushed for 275 yards this season, including 126 in their most recent game against Utah.

Players like Fiso will be huge for the Sun Devils in terms of communication and playmaking, as the success of the defense will hinge largely on their ability to stop the run.

Practice Notes:

• Due to rain, the Sun Devils began practice in the Dickey Dome.
• During the 11-on-11 drills ASU lined up four receivers on either side of Manny Wilkins. N’Keal Harry, Ellis Jefferson, Fred Gammage and Jalen Harvey practiced with the first team.

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