I watched the UTSA game a couple more times and wanted to throw out some observations, and see what y'all think.
Quarterback play:
Manny is consistently overthrowing N'Keal, and underthrowing Cam Smith. Manny shouldn't be expected to have chemistry with either one yet, but he needs to get there. Manny plays well with Gammage and Jefferson, so it might be good to see some third down packages that employ Jefferson the same way the offense used Gary Chambers in years past.
He can't keep giving his body up like this. He was punished against UTSA, and I'm surprised he wasn't hurt on more than one occasion.
Demario:
I have the same issue here as I did in the first two games. If you don't allow his first step to be forward, his talents are negated. There needs to be more of an initial push on the line when he's running the ball, or less RPO/draw calls. If his first move is to dance to the side, it's often a wasted rep.
N'Keal:
Since he's going to be on the field the entire game, it opens him up to starter-level scrutiny. If his man is going to cower and crumble to the ground on swing passes and runs to the outside, he needs to look for the next block. If he can do that, it'll create some electric plays.
McCray:
There are plays where McCray absolutely blows up defenders, and then there are plays where he seems like the weak link on an OL that he should be the star player on. I'd like to see Steven Miller or someone else get a shot, but what I've seen of everyone else (especially Miller in pass protection) makes it pretty clear that McCray is the best option.
Smallwood:
The entire defensive line remains solid against the run, and underwhelming in 4-man pass rush situations. I'm looking for Smallwood to change this in Pac-12 play. I find that when the opponent is one that ASU is more familiar with, that's when the steady hands take over.
Mendoza:
Tip of the cap to Carlos for his efforts over the first three weeks, but the sooner he's a rotation player, the better. He's talented enough to make the occasional play, but what used to be his strength (pass coverage) has been something that he's physically outgrown. He's huge now. And his athleticism has suffered.
Whiley:
Can't tackle.
Zane Gonzalez:
All you have to do is turn on any other game on a Saturday to see that what he's able to do is so far and above the standard. The man may very well play Sundays. If Koetter hadn't already wasted a 2nd round pick on a kicker...
Punt Return:
Good thing Tim White has 7 full days off. He needs to heal up. Next time ASU struggles to catch a punt, it need look no further than Chase Lucas. This is one place where he can assist, and his slight build won't get in the way.
UTSA
Two touchdowns were gifts. 4 plays, 38 yards. For 14 points. That's disgraceful. Even if ASU hadn't scored on those drives that ceased to exist because of muffed punts, you're looking at a 32-14 game instead of 32-28. That's a final score you could easily have blamed on depth, youth and road nerves, and been happy to do so.
Furthermore, their QB (Sturm) played out of his mind. Arizona State hasn't had a break when it comes to signal callers. Todd Graham has struggled to gameplan against QBs that seem to just wing it. He's much better preparing for QBs that follow a specific plan, or have easily identifiable tendencies, even if they're "elite."
Encouraging Stat:
The defense has surrendered 82 rushing yards on 57 carries to non-QBs. (1.44 per carry)
To Quarterbacks- 174 (139 net) on 29 carries.
Webb doesn't run.
ASU just has to deal with the RB duo of Enwere and Muhammad (60 carries, 383 yards in 3 games)
Quarterback play:
Manny is consistently overthrowing N'Keal, and underthrowing Cam Smith. Manny shouldn't be expected to have chemistry with either one yet, but he needs to get there. Manny plays well with Gammage and Jefferson, so it might be good to see some third down packages that employ Jefferson the same way the offense used Gary Chambers in years past.
He can't keep giving his body up like this. He was punished against UTSA, and I'm surprised he wasn't hurt on more than one occasion.
Demario:
I have the same issue here as I did in the first two games. If you don't allow his first step to be forward, his talents are negated. There needs to be more of an initial push on the line when he's running the ball, or less RPO/draw calls. If his first move is to dance to the side, it's often a wasted rep.
N'Keal:
Since he's going to be on the field the entire game, it opens him up to starter-level scrutiny. If his man is going to cower and crumble to the ground on swing passes and runs to the outside, he needs to look for the next block. If he can do that, it'll create some electric plays.
McCray:
There are plays where McCray absolutely blows up defenders, and then there are plays where he seems like the weak link on an OL that he should be the star player on. I'd like to see Steven Miller or someone else get a shot, but what I've seen of everyone else (especially Miller in pass protection) makes it pretty clear that McCray is the best option.
Smallwood:
The entire defensive line remains solid against the run, and underwhelming in 4-man pass rush situations. I'm looking for Smallwood to change this in Pac-12 play. I find that when the opponent is one that ASU is more familiar with, that's when the steady hands take over.
Mendoza:
Tip of the cap to Carlos for his efforts over the first three weeks, but the sooner he's a rotation player, the better. He's talented enough to make the occasional play, but what used to be his strength (pass coverage) has been something that he's physically outgrown. He's huge now. And his athleticism has suffered.
Whiley:
Can't tackle.
Zane Gonzalez:
All you have to do is turn on any other game on a Saturday to see that what he's able to do is so far and above the standard. The man may very well play Sundays. If Koetter hadn't already wasted a 2nd round pick on a kicker...
Punt Return:
Good thing Tim White has 7 full days off. He needs to heal up. Next time ASU struggles to catch a punt, it need look no further than Chase Lucas. This is one place where he can assist, and his slight build won't get in the way.
UTSA
Two touchdowns were gifts. 4 plays, 38 yards. For 14 points. That's disgraceful. Even if ASU hadn't scored on those drives that ceased to exist because of muffed punts, you're looking at a 32-14 game instead of 32-28. That's a final score you could easily have blamed on depth, youth and road nerves, and been happy to do so.
Furthermore, their QB (Sturm) played out of his mind. Arizona State hasn't had a break when it comes to signal callers. Todd Graham has struggled to gameplan against QBs that seem to just wing it. He's much better preparing for QBs that follow a specific plan, or have easily identifiable tendencies, even if they're "elite."
Encouraging Stat:
The defense has surrendered 82 rushing yards on 57 carries to non-QBs. (1.44 per carry)
To Quarterbacks- 174 (139 net) on 29 carries.
Webb doesn't run.
ASU just has to deal with the RB duo of Enwere and Muhammad (60 carries, 383 yards in 3 games)
