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Know Your Opponent: UCLA Football vs ASU Sun Devils

By Michael Chavez

Oct 1, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Manny Wilkins (5) throws the ball during the first half against the Southern California Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Manny Wilkins (5) throws the ball during the first half against the Southern California Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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ASU Defense

If you are somehow unaware, the Sun Devils blitz. It doesn’t seem to be a phase with them either so long as Todd Graham is the head coach. His aggressive style can force big plays and turnovers for his defense but can also leave them exposed to the big play as well.

In years past the back end of this defense was secured by safety Jordan Simone and corner Lloyd Carrington. However both of those players have moved on and the secondary has struggled for it. The Sun Devils have struggled so much in fact that they rank dead last in college football up to this point in the season by allowing almost 400 yards through the air per contest.

When you take a look at the run defense for the Sun Devils it is substantially better. It isn’t just because teams can throw on them at will either. If you look closely you’ll see the Sun Devils are holding opponents to 3.4 yards per rush meaning that when opponents decide to try and be more balanced, ASU is managing to slow them.

Related Story: UCLA Football: Preparing for the ASU Blitz

The front seven of this defense isn’t anything to shake a stick at. They still feature active players like Tashon Smallwood upfront and he is aided by sophomore JoJo Wicker who is showing plenty of improvement in his second full season at defense end. Gifted with impressive size and athletic ability, Wicker is the kind of piece you can build your defense around.

In the linebacking group, D.J. Calhoun plays like he’s been fired out of a cannon and he’s built like a cannon ball too. Not overly tall, he uses his 230lb frame to force fumbles from ball carriers and is a deadly blitzer.

However his small frame means he can be engulfed by blockers who reach the second level and he would rather go around offensive linemen rather than through them which can mean he isn’t in the best position to make a tackle or simply runs himself out of the play.