Sun Devils hope to rise to the occasion versus No. 5 USC

(Photo via Bec Striffler/WCSN)

Thus far this season, Arizona State football has been on a downward trajectory. Following a promising start to the season in the first half against Southern Utah, the Sun Devils’ quality of play has progressively deteriorated due to over a dozen injuries to key personnel, which lead to six consecutive scoreless quarters.

The path forward for the Sun Devils (1-2) doesn’t get any easier as they start Pac-12 play. Saturday, ASU will welcome No. 5 USC (3-0) to Mountain America Stadium for what will be the last matchup between the two sides as conference opponents. USC is home to the reigning Heisman Trophy winner junior quarterback Caleb Williams, and the Trojans are coached by Lincoln Riley, one of the most accomplished active head coaches in college football.

USC has one of the most prolific offenses in college football. With Williams at the helm of USC’s passing attack, the Trojans have paced the nation with 59.3 points per game. Redshirt senior receiver Tahj Washington has been Williams’ lead target with 233 yards and three touchdowns on the young season.

“To say you’re going to stop [Williams] is almost unrealistic,” head coach Kenny Dillingham said. “The goal should be to limit him, limit the explosive plays. Don’t let him get comfortable and in a rhythm. Don’t bust and give them open people for him to get in a rhythm. But to say you’re going to stop Caleb Williams, that’s tough to do.”

USC’s offense is also bolstered by a talented backfield that includes three running backs who have already breached the 100-yard rushing mark: redshirt junior MarShawn Lloyd; freshman Quentin Joyner; and redshirt senior Austin Jones. Lloyd, Joyner and Jones have also combined for six rushing touchdowns this season.

“They have the ability to run the football,” defensive coordinator Brian Ward said. “[Lloyd] is the best that I’ve seen in the last two years. They’ve got Jones from last year, but he’s the best (running back) that I’ve seen in the last two years in this league. He’s big, he’s physical, he has great feet. When you combine that with the best quarterback or arguably the best quarterback in the country, there’s not much better skill. They can be a pretty dynamic force on offense, so we’re going to have our hands full.”

While the Sun Devils’ defense has been the team’s strongest facet through the first three weeks, the offenses they’ve faced haven’t been close to the caliber of USC’s. Still, ASU has impressed on the defensive side of the ball, especially considering the frequent challenging positions and infrequent rest it has had to face due to the offense’s struggles.

ASU has nine sacks and is frequently applying pressure in the passing game. The Sun Devils’ front has also held strong in the run game, holding opponents to just 89.7 rushing yards per game. Last weekend against Fresno State, the Sun Devils limited the Bulldogs to just 15 points off eight turnovers, an impressive feat in spite of the 29-0 loss.

“USC, they’re more of a dynamic offense, and this quarterback is more of a creator,” Ward said. “He’s obviously as good as he is, and we’re going to try to continue to affect the quarterback in everything we do. If we can affect that guy, eventually, the ball’s going to start bouncing our way.”

ASU’s special teams will also have to be on high alert more so than in past weeks. USC freshman receiver Zachariah Branch has already established himself as an incredibly dangerous speedster on punt and kickoff returns. He’s broken free for two return touchdowns and has a combined 283 return yards. With graduate punter Josh Carlson only averaging 36.4 yards per punt, the Sun Devils’ defense could, once again, find itself in compromising positions due to Branch’s propensity for prolonged returns.

On offense, the injury bug has ravaged ASU’s starting lineup throughout the first three weeks. However, several players seem to be on the mend, with star redshirt junior tight end Jalin Conyers set to return and graduate receiver Melquan Stovall available to provide depth in the slot. The most glaring injury losses are those on the offensive line and at quarterback.

With freshman quarterback Jaden Rashada expected to miss considerable time and redshirt junior Trenton Bourguet not practicing throughout the week, Dillingham said on 98.7 Arizona Sports that his starting quarterback would be redshirt sophomore Drew Pyne, who was also banged up in ASU’s game against Fresno State. Pyne only managed to throw for 52 yards and two interceptions before exiting the game in the third quarter.

The sliver of hope for ASU may come on the ground. USC has given up an average of 152 rush yards per game, the second-worst mark in the Pac-12. Junior running back Cam Skattebo has spearheaded a Sun Devil rushing attack that may finally have a chance to break out behind an offensive line that’s now had a full week to build chemistry in practice.

“They’ve got a lot of fancy stuff,” redshirt senior offensive lineman Joey Ramos said. “They’ve got a lot of fancy players, but we’re just going to continue to focus on the foundation of us as an offensive line, our foundation and how we function, how we do things, how we get things done. We’re just going back to the basics for us and building that chemistry.”

On paper, the outlook for the Sun Devils isn’t favorable. At this point, some may consider scoring points a win for the Sun Devils on Saturday. Either way, Dillingham has promised to fix the offense and make changes. ASU’s defense will also get a chance to prove its true capability level against one of the nation’s best offenses. A lot of pride is at stake for Dillingham and his Sun Devils as they start Pac-12 play, and the journey only gets tougher from here.

“If you don’t expect to win every game, you’ve got a problem,” Dillingham said. “I don’t care if I’m playing Michael Jordan in basketball. I’m not playing him to lose. Otherwise, why would I play? I’m not just going to play him because it’s fun. No, what’s fun is competing to win, so you’re playing to win. That’s it. … If you don’t take the field and expect to win the football game, something’s wrong. You should expect to win, otherwise, you shouldn’t be on the field.”