That is the question, is it not? Yes, it is all well and good that quarterback Taylor Kelly is out of the game between UCLA and ASU, but it is not about him, not anymore. It can be argued that it never was about Kelly, despite him throwing for 625 yards, 6 touchdowns and 61.8% passing completion. No! This is about D.J. Foster.
Betsided
If you do not know about Foster, you will this Thursday night when the Bruins visit the Sun Devils in Tempe, Arizona. Foster is ASU’s premier running back that is making a name for himself on the national stage. In three games, Foster has accumulated big numbers in rushing and receiving. Though he has 11 receptions for 139 yards and 1 touchdown, it is his work in the running game that is catching everyone’s eye.
On the ground, Foster has 54 carries for 510 yards and 5 TDs. Another interesting statistic is that he is averaging 9.4 yards per carry. Yes, he is almost running for a first down on every single carry and that is frightening. To put it another way, Foster is 8th in the nation in total rushing yards and 7th in the nation in average yards per carry. The Bruins, without a doubt, will have their hands full trying to contain him. But that is the next question… Can UCLA slow down Foster?
To look at it from ASU’s point of view, they have not really played against a team that has a tough defense. UCLA will be their first, although the Bruins have had some miscues against opposing offenses. But focusing on the Sun Devils, ASU has played FCS team Weber State, New Mexico (120th total defense, 127th rushing defense) and Colorado (57th total defense, 91st rushing defense). These teams are not exactly tearing up Sports Center with their defensive prowess. For all intensive purposes, these teams are “cupcakes”. Even Colorado. So how will Arizona State do against UCLA (74th in total defense, 55th in rushing defense)?
Nov 30, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Mike Bercovici against the Arizona Wildcats in the 87th annual Territorial Cup at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Bruins need to tight things up on D as they are allowing 392.3 yards of total defense, but when you think about who they have played, you can see that UCLA has mixed it up with a better class of competition. Virginia is averaging 380.o yards per game. Memphis is averaging 523.3 yards per game with 244.0 on the ground. Texas is averaging 311.0 yards per game. The Sun Devils will be taking on their toughest defensive opponent, but equally, UCLA will also be facing the best offense they have seen so far.
Back-up QB Mike Bercovici has said to be starting in place of Kelly, which probably means that the play calling will be simplified to adapt to what he can do. Bercovivi probably will not pass as much as Kelly, so UCLA has to not only put pressure on him, but also know that Foster may see more time with the ball. To survive, the Bruins need to shut down Foster… as best as they can.