Looooooooooooooooooooooonnnnnnngggggggg Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh
Another very difficult game to watch right from the outset. Another opponents’ opening drive for a TD in less than two minutes. Another game the Buffs were never really in as they were down 7-I mean 14-no that’s 21-0 before they could blink. Another game where they were completely overmatched. Another game where their lack of speed was achingly apparent. Another game playing with a patchwork lineup and still suffering even more injuries to key players. The fourth consecutive game that a team scored more than 40 points, racked up more than 500 yards of offense and covered a huge spread easily. What can we take from a fourth straight crushing at the hands of a Pac-12 opponent?
§ This defense is a shell of itself without Doug Rippy (and it really wasn’t that good with him). The middle of the field was wide open for rushers and pass catchers alike. Their blitzes were picked up regularly, ASU receivers were given a lot of space and they were constantly chasing guys from behind. The front seven seemed lost and made almost no impact on the game. We rarely heard any defensive lineman’s name called as they made very few plays; Josh Hartigan went down with yet another injury; the LBs were being beat left and right-often they would go exactly opposite of where the play was going; it looked like ASU knew exactly which defense we were going to run on almost every play.
§ S Ray Polk is definitely not at 100% yet, ASU knew it and picked on him quite a bit-scoring two TDs and picking up numerous first downs on him.
§ I don’t think Jon Major is healthy at all either. I have heard rumors of a shoulder injury, but he looks slow also. He tried to blitz wide a few times and never got anywhere near the play.
§ Bright spots were some nice plays from LB Derrick Webb and DE Chidera Uzo-Diribe. They both probably have the speed potential to compete in the Pac-12 and will need to do some serious work with Malcolm Bracken in the offseason (along with the whole team) to develop their speed completely.
§ TFr S Kyle Washington got the start for Anthony Perkins (was actually sorely missed) and has some of the speed that we crave, but he has a tendency to overrun plays and misjudge angles. This is something Greg Brown should be able to work on with him.
§ RFr Josh Moten got the start opposite Greg Henderson and played solid. He of course got beat a few times but he had the play of the game, picking up ASU’s botched screen pass fumble and scored a much-needed defensive TD for the Buffs.
§ Travis Sandersfeld was back in the lineup, starting and spending most of his time at nickel; seemed to play decently-he made batted the pass back that Moten scored on and was never beaten badly that I saw.
§ Vince Ewing was back also and played a little at LB I think or maybe DB?
§ It was again nice to see our young backups play late-I seem to be most looking forward to the fourth quarter for this reason these days. TFr LB Brady Daigh had a few nice tackles, as did Juda Parker.
§ On offense, Nick Hirschman was very ineffective early and they brought in Tyler Hansen on the third series. I guess they wanted to see what Hirschman could do since he got all the prep during the week, but they had to bring in Tyler fairly quickly. Hirschman didn’t seem pleased postgame, but Conor Wood and Shane Dillon probably were. Tyler was definitely rusty, surprise, surprise, overthrowing numerous receivers and throwing two picks, although Embree said neither were his fault.
§ Although they combined for 337 total yards passing, 53 of that was on the ill-fated hail mary’s little lamb all the way to the 6 yard line as time expired in the first half.
§ The offensive line was pushed around a lot by the ASU front seven. Neither Tyler or Nick had much time to throw nor were there many holes for the RBs. They had quite a few false start and formation penalties but only one holding I think. Gus Handler started at center but Kawai Crabb joined the rest of the starters for the last few series.
§ Tony Jones had his moments-a few nice runs and short passes, as well as a few questionable runs where he didn’t hit the hole. They actually started the game with TFr Malcolm Creer but he was injured early and never returned-it looks like he is gone for the season with a MCL and/or ACL tear. Josh Ford got in some and showed the flashes we saw in practices and scrimmages, but also showed why he hasn’t been getting snaps as he fumble twice, once inside the 5.
§ Overall, they had three drives deep into ASU territory that came away with an interception, a fumble and a fourth down stop inside the 1. EB needs to work on his redzone prep and play-calling for the future.
§ Logan Gray and Toney Clemons both had some nice catches, but they were later in the game, not in the first quarter when they really needed them. This team needs P-Rich and the threat of his speed back desperately.
§ Why did we burn Tyler McCulloch’s redshirt?! He has been all but invisible! Freshmen will play at WR next year!
§ TE DeVaughn Thorton finally got some targets, but he was also the receiver Tyler yelled at/blamed for his first pick.
§ Darragh O’Neill was again solid; Wil Oliver is perfect for the year on PATs and got mention by the announcers as a Freshman All-American candidate. Justin Castor’s kickoffs were even okay. Josh Ford also had some nice kickoff returns, but his fumblitis has me worried there. Keenan Canty showed exactly how you are NOT supposed to field a punt with a technically awful fumble of his own, dropping the ball on a fair catch, surrounded by Sun Devils.
§ Mrs. Daniels was happy to see Shawn on the field for some special teams plays.
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