Sun Devils Gameday
October 10th, 2008, 12:59 pm · Post a Comment · posted by Dan Zeiger
Arizona State at Southern California
Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Memorial Coliseum; Los Angeles
TV/Announcers: Ch. 15/Terry Gannon, David Norrie and Todd Harris (sidelines)
Radio: KTAR (620 AM)
Records: ASU 2-3 overall, 1-1 Pac-10; USC 3-1, 1-1
Rankings: ASU unranked; USC No. 8 Associated Press/No. 9 USA Today (coaches)
Series: USC leads 15-9 and has won the last eight meetings
Last meeting: Nov. 22, 2007, at Tempe — USC 44, ASU 24
SUN DEVILS’ KEYS TO VICTORY
1. First-down success: ASU must get in the habit of starting off a series with a decent gain, or it will continue to find itself in lower-percentage third-down situations. True freshman running back Ryan Bass might get a few carries today. Considering the condition of the Sun Devils’ ground game, nothing could hurt.
2. Defensive anticipation: The ASU defense has been unspectacular, but solid. However, playing USC requires another level, as the Trojans love to get the ball to their playmakers to elude single tacklers. Good reads and gang pursuit will be essential.
3. Element of surprise: Against an opponent like the Trojans, an unexpected score — say, via a blocked punt or turnover — can provide vital momentum. Two years ago, an interception return for a touchdown helped the Sun Devils hang in during a hard-fought 28-21 loss at USC.
INJURY REPORT
Arizona State
OUT: S Jonathan Clark (knee); S Angelo Fobbs-Valentino (knee); LB Brandon Magee (pectoral); DL David Smith (stinger); S Max Tabach (knee) DOUBTFUL: QB Rudy Carpenter (ankle) QUESTIONABLE: RB Jarrell Woods (ankle); PROBABLE: OL Thomas Altieri (stinger); OL Matt Hustad (knee)
Southern California
OUT: RB Allen Bradford (hip); OL Michael Reardon (hip); CB Shareece Wright (neck) DOUBTFUL: OL Zack Heberer (toe) QUESTIONABLE: OL Jeff Byers (knee); LB Michael Morgan (concussion) PROBABLE: RB Stanley Havili (neck); WR Vidal Hazelton (ankle); LB Rey Maualuga (knee); QB Mark Sanchez (knee)
SCOUTING THE SUN DEVILS
ASU has prepared as if Danny Sullivan will be the starting quarterback, but coach Dennis Erickson said that a decision could come at game time. As a result, do not be surprised if Rudy Carpenter makes his 37th straight start under center. The Sun Devils will likely utilize more of the two-tight end formation that forced California out of a Cover 2 defense and enabled ASU to take some shots downfield. However, until the run game is established, most passes will be of the quick-out and underneath variety.
USC outside linebacker Brian Cushing, who played in the middle last week while Rey Maualuga sat out with a knee injury, is one of the sparkplugs of a defense that leads the nation in tackles for loss.
SCOUTING THE TROJANS
Was anyone shedding a tear for USC because backup quarterback Mitch Mustain might have had to play for Mark Sanchez? Didn’t think so. Regardless of who is taking the snaps, the Trojans’ offensive mission is the same — use a deep corps of running backs and receivers to pound or dazzle an opposing defense into submission. Given ASU’s woes in the running game, a Trojans front seven led by linebackers Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing has to be licking its chops. USC held Oregon’s productive running attack to 60 yards last week.
THE INTRIGUE
With the Sun Devils’ struggles, this contest — which before the season had the look of a key Pac-10 matchup between ranked teams — could simply be the Trojans’ next step on the road to a seventh straight league title. The Sun Devils are in need of a pick-me-up, which Erickson exemplified during an uninspiring performance by the starting offense in a practice earlier this week. Between plays, the coach told the scout-team defense, “Nice job of making these guys work.” Then, turning back to the offense, he added, “I assume we’re tired of losing.” Plain and simple, it is gut-check time. ASU needs to play well enough to build confidence and hope with the schedule softening in November.
TEAM REPORTS
ASU OFFENSE
SE 1 Michael Jones; LT; 59 Jon Hargis; LG 67 Shaun Lauvao; C 56 Thomas Altieri; RG 63 Paul Fanaika; RT 74 Tom Njunge; TE 88 Andrew Pettes; SLOT 6 Kyle Williams; FL 13 Chris McGaha; QB 15 Danny Sullivan; RB 31 Dimitri Nance
ASU DEFENSE
LE 49 Luis Vasquez; DT 50 Lawrence Guy; DT 54 Paul Unga; RE 58 Dexter Davis; SLB 44 Travis Goethel; MLB 52 Morris Wooten; WLB 25 Mike Nixon; CB 3 Omar Bolden; CB 31 Pierre Singfield; FS 14 Troy Nolan; SS 9 Clint Floyd
USC OFFENSE
SE 1 Patrick Turner; LT 71 Charles Brown; LG 53 Jeff Byers; C 61 Kristofer O’Dowd; RG 56 Alex Parsons; RT 68 Butch Lewis; TE 86 Anthony McCoy; FL 7 Vidal Hazelton; QB 6 Mark Sanchez; TB 4 Joe McKnight; FB 31 Stanley Havili
USC DEFENSE
DE 84 Kyle Moore; NT 44 Christian Tupou; DT 75 Fili Moala; DE 47 Clay Matthews; SLB 10 Brian Cushing; MLB 58 Rey Maualuga; WLB 43 Kaluka Maiava; CB 7 Cary Harris; CB 36 Josh Pinkard; FS 2 Taylor Mays; SS 4 Kevin Ellison