SB Nation - Jovon Williams

Spaulding Roundup: "Arizona State. Nothing Else Matters"

Nestor — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:57:14 -0000

by Paul Connors - AP

Erickson and his ASU are in the same boat as Neuehisel's UCLA program

Well I knew one of these days football was going to put Ben Ball in the backburner here on Bruin Nation but I didn't think it was going to get here so fast. lol As much of a downer the unthinkable loss (and we will probably have few more of those this season) against Cal State Fullerton was last night, right now my mind is completely locked into the huge football game on Saturday. I really hope everyone around Southern California - students, alums and fans - make an effort to pack the Rose Bowl this weekend because to me this might be the biggest game of the season.

While given our "Bruin instincts" it is natural for all us to think about that last game of the season, right now nothing else except ASU matters. CRN set that message yesterday in Westwood (emphasis added):

Just don't ask the Bruins to talk about any bowl games or crosstown showdowns that might exist beyond their home finale Saturday.

"Arizona State. Nothing else matters," coach Rick Neuheisel said Monday. "There's conversations all around about things that can't help us. Our conversations will center around the Sun Devils and what we have to do against a fine football team, and we'll give ourselves a chance for all of those other conversations to matter."

He knows full well how big this game is for both teams:

"I know they, like us, are trying to finish the season with a flurry," Neuheisel said. "And I know this game looms large for both programs, so looking forward to the game ahead, (we) keep grinding and keep pushing. (We're) very excited about the challenge. I think we're improving. I see signs."

Bruins will look for more signs this weekend taking on an Arizona State defense which plays at a whole different level than our previous two opponents. Jon Gold from the Daily News writes:

The Sun Devils rank 15 th in the country in total defense while surrendering just 301 yards per game and are 29 th in scoring defense at just 21 points per game.

Arizona State has 68 total tackles for loss and 22 sacks, with nine players registering more than five tackles for loss. Leading the way is defensive tackle Saia Falahola with 72.

"This is a very, very good defense, no question about it," Neuheisel said.

"Solid across the board. They've got a great pass rush, great run-stopping. We're going to have to make some plays and be a balanced team this week. It's going to require a great offensive plan."

A great offensive plan this weekend will entail providing some balance to Kevin Prince's recent breakout performances in last few weeks. More on that after the jump.

Arizona State is not going to throw a lot of surprises at our offense. They are going to bring the heat with their defensive front and try to disrupt Kevin Prince from getting into any kind of rhythm. Saturday is going to be a challenge for Prince. I think he will have opportunities to go deep here and there during the game. However, more importantly for him he will have to keep moving the chains by spraying short and medium range passes to make that defense a little more elastic.

Hopefully Prince through some early completions will able to get the Sun Devils front-7 a little off balance and set up the running game for JetSki, Coleman and Knox. Speaking of our running game, the LA Times has the following from CRN:

"We believe we have the makings of a good running game," Neuheisel said. "We just have to keep banging away to find the right combinations."

Franklin leads the team with 532 yards rushing, but his fumbles have been a concern for two weeks.

"He just needs to get his confidence back," Neuheisel said. "Sometimes talking about something so much it becomes like, 'Don't think about the blue elephant over there.' "

Another option is fullback Chane Moline, who the Bruins have been turning to in the red zone the last two weeks.

While Chane is finishing off his senior season in style, we need Jet Ski to get back into it. We need him badly. If we can somehow manage to get him back in the same groove he found himself in before he tweaked his ankle against Cal, it would be a huge boost to our offense.

Meanwhile, on the other end ASU's QB situation remains unclear:

Coach Dennis Erickson said he won't decide on a starter for Saturday's game at UCLA until seeing how healthy senior Danny Sullivan (right biceps) and true freshman Brock Osweiler (left shoulder) are during practice. Also, sophomore Szakacsy's right elbow, an issue since the preseason, could be a factor coming off his most-extensive playing time.

"We've got to see how his elbow is," Erickson said of Szakacsy. "When he throws for a long period of time, it bothers him. His arm is not as strong as it was last spring, but it's getting there. He's got a pretty good chance to get back to full strength by spring (2010). He's very accurate and made some good throws (against Oregon)."

Erickson, like CRN has also been dealing with injury issues:

Players out for the season are offensive linemen Matt Hustad (knee), Zach Schlink (knee) and Mike Marcisz (shoulder); tight ends Dan Knapp (knee), Stanley Malamala (jaw) and Chris Coyle (foot); wide receivers T.J. Simpson (ankle) and Brandon Smith (knee); defensive linemen Corey Adams (back), Otis Jones (knee) and Jonathan English (knee); linebacker Gerald Munns (elbow); and cornerbacks Omar Bolden (knee) and Osahon Irabor (wrist).

Irabor and Coyle are true freshmen who would have played this season but instead are redshirting.

The most-recent losses are Hustad, Knapp and Munns.

Tom Njunge will replace Hustad at right tackle. Jovon Williams, if healthy, or Trevor Kohl will play at tight end, with Steven Figueroa also an option. Travis Goethel, the starting strong-side linebacker, also becomes the backup at middle behind Vontaze Burfict.

Burfict is a handful. I hope Kevin Prince takes some sliding lessons this week because if he gets an opportunity Burfict is going to do to Prince what Maluauga did to Cowan few years ago. This is a game in which Prince will have to play it safe when he finds himself in a collision course.

On our end it looks like Pressley will be out for another weekend. We could also get Jerzy Siewierski and Ryan Taylor back in action this weekend. Their replacements - Jess Ward and Darius Savage (respectively) - did a solid job last weekend. Hopefully the rest of the team can come out this weekend with the same tunnel vision they displayed up in Pullman.

GO BRUINS.

First Half Recap, California @ ASU; Second Half GameThread

Cory Williams — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:13:30 -0000

More photos » by Marcio Jose Sanchez - AP

We need more McGaha in this half.

Browse more photos »

After a quarter of unmentionable play, the Sun Devils were down 14-0, with Danny Sullivan sporting an obscene 2-6 passing line for 10 yards.

As the quarter turned, the Devils came alive on offense, and a tag team of Sullivan, Gerrell Robinson and Ryan Bass delivered the ball inside the 5 within 3 minutes.

Coach Erickson went with redshirt sophomore Samson Szakacsy to hand the ball off within the 2, but Bass immediately fumbled and lost the ball to the hands of the Golden Bear defense.

This was seemingly the final spurt from the Sun Devils, who could feel their record slipping back to .500 on the year. But the defense would not have any of that, with a fumble recovery by Vontaze Burfict on the 3-yard line bringing ASU right back into the game.

Szakacsy then rolled out to his left and hit Jovon Williams for a TD on his first career pass attempt. It was also Williams' first career TD reception.

ASU's defense on the ensuing drive, however, was unable to refrain from catching the penalty bug once again, with a personal foul and an offsides call giving the Bears great field position.

On the next play, the Devils got a 15-yard facemask penalty, putting the ball at the ASU 23.

Despite ASU's best attempts to lose, a quick missed field goal by Cal was turned around for an 80-yard touchdown pass from Danny Sullivan to Kyle Williams.

Want to find out what else happened, and comment on the second half? More after the jump...

This type of QB competitiveness between Szakacsy and Sullivan is exactly what the Sun Devils needed. One is a young, fleet-footed Californian, while the other is an older, slow-footed... Californian.

After a terrible drive by Cal, Anger punted the ball out at the ASU 1-yard line. The running game of ASU game through, and got them a first down.

Immediately thereafter, Sullivan threw a bomb and is intercepted for a 38-yard run back to the ASU 32-yard line.

3^rd and 5 with 1:13 to go; California is located on the ASU 12, attempting to get a first down. Riley was nearly sacked several times, but completed a pass to his WR Ross for a 4-yard gain. The Bears successfully converted a field goal this time to take a 17-14 lead.

With one minute left, Jamal Miles ran back the kickoff to the ASU 41, where two short completions later, the Sun Devils found themselves on the Cal 38 with :33 to go.

After a fumble on the next play by Danny Sullivan and an incomplete pass to Kyle Williams, the Devils punted to run out the half.

Two quarters down, California 17, ASU 14. Interesting game so far. Lets discuss the second half right here.

Poll

Who is your ASU QB of choice?

Danny Sullivan

7 votes

Samson Szakacsy

14 votes

Brock Osweiler

6 votes

27 votes | Poll has closed

The UNLV Rebels Upset ASU, or "The Sun Devils Ruined My Life"

Cory Williams — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 06:28:16 -0000

I am disgusted.

Disgusted that we could lose to UNLV at home. Angry that their quarterback knew just how to pick apart our supposedly solid defense. Depressed that our season is circling the drain, and can only be salvaged by running the table and going to the Rose Bowl.

But the worst part?

I didn't think it could ever happen. I was 100% certain we would be 3-0 next week, taking on Georgia in a battle of conference supremacy.

Today, we learned the Pac-10 is a joke. Outside of USC, we are a horrible conference with very little talent at this point in the season. Oregon looks suspect at best, and everyone else lost. Oregon State? Meh. UCLA lost by FIFTY NINE POINTS and didn't score ANY.

There are no words that can truly describe how I feel. Arizona State let me down today, in the worst way. I will be in the student section next Saturday, screaming at the Devils to beat the 'Dogs, but I am beyond dejected at this very moment. Going 8-0 to start the year in 2007; it's like I took it for granted to just get to 3 wins. Shame on me, and shame on the Devils for doing the same thing.

Who do I blame?

The O-line gave up too many sacks and let too many people through. Rudy didn't find Jovon Williams when he was open in the end zone in overtime. Dennis Erickson didn't push the accelerator enough. Shaun Dewitty was benched at the worst possible time.

You want more scapegoats? Okay.

Omar Bolden played like a high schooler, giving up all kinds of first downs. UNLV's receiver core is unheralded, but looked solid. That catch in the corner in the 4th was mind-blowing.

In the end, I know we have no one to blame but ourselves. And that is the type of attitude that just might win us some more games.