(Photo: Scotty Bara/WCSN)
Trying to jump start this season isn’t getting any easier for ASU as it prepares to play the No. 7 team in the country in UCLA. Perhaps the most talented team ASU will play all year, Graham will have to not only get the most out of his guys, but make sure they stop the abundance of talent UCLA head coach Jim Mora has to work with.
With UCLA junior linebacker Myles Jack being declared out for the year due to a torn meniscus, the Bruins are certainly without a crucial part of their defense, but that doesn’t mean that the Bruin defense should be expected to perform at a lower standard than their usual selves.
Ishmael Adams, redshirt junior cornerback, #1
In back-to-back weeks, ASU will have to face what most say are the two best corners in the conference with USC’s Adoree’ Jackson, and now Ishmael Adams. Adams and Jackson were the two cornerbacks selected to the preseason All-Pac-12 team after Adams was selected to the all-conference team last season.
Adams’ season had to start a little late than he would’ve liked after being suspended the first three games of the season for an offseason arrest. His debut came in last week’s blowout victory over Arizona, and Adams’ impact was felt immediately as he recorded an interception as well as a pass breakup.
Similar to Jackson, Adams is also a kickoff returner for UCLA, and actually had a kickoff return for a touchdown when the Bruins played ASU last year.
The road will not be any easier for ASU redshirt senior quarterback Mike Bercovici in trying to control a game. UCLA’s defense has already forced seven turnovers in four games, and adding Adams makes controlling the ball all the more difficult.
Paul Perkins, redshirt junior running back, #24
The reigning Pac-12 leading rusher is off to a great start this season as well, currently second in yards among all conference running backs through four games. We shouldn’t expect anything less of Perkins, especially considering his brother, Bryce Perkins, will be on the opposing sideline.
Unlike what the Sun Devils saw against USC, Perkins will be handling a majority of the workload coming out of the backfield. Perkins has 82 carries on the year, and the next highest on the roster is 24. If you combine the rest of the team’s rushing yards, it still adds up to be 48 less than Perkins’ total for the year of 514.
The all-conference running back is also a big help to his freshman quarterback Josh Rosen, being the team’s third leading receiver.
Being the focal point of one of the most balanced offensive attacks in the country, Perkins will prove himself to be a handful for Todd Graham’s defense in the running and passing game. Especially if the ASU defensive unit tackles like they did against USC, the Sun Devils will be in for a long day in trying to limit Perkins’ impact.
