(Photo: Brady Klain/WCSN)
The Arizona State defense was dominant is its season opener, allowing just 220 yards in a 49-7 victory over UTSA.
This week, however, the Sun Devils face what should be one of their toughest tasks this season when they take on the No.15 team in the nation and BIG-10 powerhouse, Michigan State.
Arizona State defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales knows that, and he said he needs more from his defense than he got last week.
“Play harder,” Danny Gonzales said. “We played hard in spurts.”
Despite holding the Roadrunners to just seven points and 220 yards, including only two rushing yards, Gonzales said his defense has a lot of work to do.
“When you get complacent and everybody’s patting you on the shoulder, its real easy to think you’re better than you are,” Gonzales said. “We’re not very good yet.”
The defensive focus this week is containing Michigan State junior quarterback Brian Lewerke.
“Big, strong guy. Athletic,” ASU head coach Herm Edwards said. “Can make some plays outside the pocket.”
Gonzales took his evaluation of Lewerke, a product of Pinnacle High School in Phoenix, further.
“I think he’s a really special football player,” he said. “He’s a great quarterback. He’s really good with his feet. He has a great pocket presence.”
Lewerke threw for 287 yards in his season opener last week. While Lewerke is a threat, Gonzales is worried about the line that protects him.
“This game is going to be won in the trenches,” he said.
The Spartans put up 452 yards in their season opener against Utah State, 165 of those on the ground. Gonzales noted that Michigan State will likely be run-heavy. He added that he hopes his secondary can make the Spartans pay when they elect to throw it.
“We are going to play hard and try to make them throw it,” he said. “And when they throw it, hopefully we can make some plays in coverage.”
Coming off of their dominant defensive effort last week, there is no doubt the Sun Devils will need more this week against the Spartans.
“The team that plays the hardest the longest wins,” Gonzales said. “We’ve got to play harder and be more physical and be tougher than they are. And if we are willing to throw our bodies around, we’ll have a chance.”
The Sun Devils will play host to No.15 Michigan State on Saturday. ASU is 9-0 all-time against BIG-10 opponents in Tempe.
