(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN) For the last three years, ASU football has been among the worst defenses in the country statistically, rotating through a cast of coordinators and position coaches. Before a 13-7 upset victory over then-No. 5 Washington, the Sun Devils had allowed 30 points or more in 11 straight games. So
Tag: todd graham
ASU Football: Nothing fancy behind Sun Devils midseason turnaround
(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN) Over the course of the last two years, Arizona State had been dragged down a spiraling path to mediocrity. A seven-win season in 2015. A sub-.500 five-win record last year. A 1-2 non-conference start to this fall’s campaign. Over the course of the last two weeks, the Sun Devils have soared
ASU Football: Forget about bowl eligibility, Sun Devils are looking like Pac-12 South favorites
(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN) Changing a narrative is never easy. In college football, it can be near impossible. There was a preconceived notion in Tempe even before this year’s season started about Arizona State: it had coach Todd Graham fighting for his job, quarterback Manny Wilkins having to battle with Blake Barnett for
ASU Football: Sun Devils dominate Utah, point to practice as a catalyst
(Photo: Chaz Frazier/WCSN) SALT LAKE CITY — We’re talking about practice, man. ASU football went on the road and walloped Utah 30-10 on Saturday, turning in its most complete performance of the season. ASU players don’t think it’s a product of personnel or circumstance; they attribute the last two weeks’ performances to
ASU Football: Sun Devils blank Utah, lead 16-0 at the half
(Photo: Chaz Frazier/WCSN) Arizona State picked up right where it left off last week in the first half of Saturday's contest, shutting out Utah 16-0. In hostile Rice-Eccles Stadium, ASU continued to display the various traits that led to last weekend's upset over then No. 5 Washington. The offense worked within the
A Sleeping Giant: Renell Wren coming alive for ASU football
(Photo: Sun Devil Athletics) “Mark my words, I hope all y’all listen to this. Renell Wren is about to have a great rest of the season.” Redshirt freshman defensive back Chase Lucas isn’t shy about hyping up his teammates, even if it might border on hyperbolic. In Wren’s case, however, Lucas’s praise
ASU Football: Sun Devils beginning to find identity after upset win
(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN) After its week two loss to San Diego State earlier this season, Arizona State coach Todd Graham bemoaned his team’s lack of identity. The Sun Devils couldn’t stop the run. Or consistently move the ball. Or play a clean game on special teams. “We’re just not doing a very
ASU Football: Late gamble seals Top 5 upset for ASU
(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN) Dressed in black and dazed with disbelief, ASU fans peered on as Manny Wilkins led the offense back onto the field. There was 2:04 left in the game. ASU was leading No. 5 Washington 13-7 and on the Huskies' 37-yard-line facing a fourth-and-three. A punt could have pinned the Huskies deep in
ASU Football: Sun Devils manufacture chaos in upset over Washington
(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN) Chaos in sports is often viewed as a random confluence of events that produces a shocking result. It happens all the time in college football — particularly early in the season when highly touted teams are still defining their identity. But chaos isn’t random. It’s inevitable, manufactured mayhem that
