Arizona State vs. Stanford Football 2009
Stellar Sun Devils Defense Set to Face Star Stanford Rusher
Oct 22, 2009
Gerhart, Stanford’s bruising 6-foot-1, 235-pound running back, ranks fifth in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision with an average of 124.14 rushing yards per game. He’ll be hard-pressed to match that total against an Arizona State defense that gives up only 57.8.
That, however, will be just one of many themes developing in the 26th meeting between the schools. Stanford (4-3 overall, 3-2 Pac-10) is trying to bounce back from consecutive Pac-10 road losses – including a 43-38 heartbreaker at Arizona last weekend. Another loss could place the bowl hopes of Jim Harbaugh’s team in grave jeopardy.
Arizona State will be seeking its third consecutive win. The Sun Devils (4-2, 2-1) made it a two in a row with a thrilling 24-18 win over Washington, and are looking to stay in the thick of the conference race.
Dennis Erickson’s squad will also try to extend a recent run of domination against Stanford. ASU won its last three games vs. the Cardinal by scores of a 38-3, 41-3 and 41-17. The Sun Devils lead the series 16-9.
The game is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. and will be telecast by Fox Sports Net.
Arizona State’s Sullivan Steps Up
Danny Sullivan hit Chris McGaha with a 50-yard touchdown pass to win it with eight seconds left to lift Arizona State past Washington. The play was a highlight for an offense that’s been shaky while averaging 28.8 points and 369.7 yards per game.
Sullivan struggled badly over a three-game stretch that included losses to Georgia and Oregon State. But against Washington, the senior went 21-for-35 for 263 yards without an interception.
On the season, Sullivan is completing 54.5 of his passes for 1,275 yards and five touchdowns, with five interceptions. His cast of receivers includes Kyle Williams (34 catches, 397 yards, 2 TDs). McGaha (29 receptions, 322 yard, 2 TDs) and Gerell Robinson (16 catches, 191 yards).
The most oft-used weapon, though, has been running back Dmitri Nance. The senior has rushed for 436 yards and five TDs, and caught 20 passes for 167 yards and one touchdown. But Nance has been slowed by a knee injury, so freshman Cameron Marshall and sophomore Ryan Bass could see more action.
Freshman Burfict Off to Solid Start for Sun Devils
Freshman Vontaze Burfict is described by the school as the highest-rated recruit ever signed by the Sun Devils, and he’s made an immediate impact. Burfict is second on the team in tackles with 30 – including five for losses.
The tackles leader is Mike Nixon, the former pro baseball catcher who is now a 25-year-old senior linebacker at ASU. Nixon has 34 tackles, and he’s made three interceptions – which all came in a 50-3 blitzing of Idaho State.
Safeties Jarrell Holman and Ryan McFoy also have three picks, and defensive tackle Saia Falohola leads Arizona State with seven tackles for loss, and four sacks. Linemen James Brooks and Lawrence Guy each have four tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
Arizona State is yielding 247.7 yards per game, ranking seventh in the FBS in total defense; and only Texas is allowing fewer rushing yards. The Sun Devils are averaging three sacks per game.
QB Luck Puts Up Big Numbers for Cardinal
The Cardinal fell to Arizona despite gaining 585 yards – including a career-best 432-yard passing performance by freshman Andrew Luck. Stanford had the ball on the Wildcats’ 17-yard line in the final seconds, but was stopped on downs.
Luck, who passed for three TDs, now has nine on the season against just three interceptions. He’s completed 57 percent of his passes for 1,589 yards, and is also Stanford’s second-leading rusher with 190 yards on 36 attempts.
In addition, Stanford has two dangerous receivers in Ryan Whalen and Chris Owusu. Whalen leads the Cardinal with 32 catches for 554 yards and three TDs. Owusu has 24 receptions for 446 yards and four TDs, and he’s also returned three kickoffs for touchdowns.
But Gerhart remains the heart of the offense. He’s pounded out 869 yards and scored 12 touchdowns, averaging 5.2 yards per carry.
Stanford averages 31.7 points and 429.9 yards per game. But those figures are bound to dip, as the Cardinal faces the Pac-10’s three best defenses – ASU, Oregon and USC – in its next three games.
Stanford Defense Fails to Deliver
But Stanford is surrendering 377.1 yards and 23.6 points per contest – averages that went up dramatically the past two games. A week after startling slowly in a 38-28 loss to Oregon State, the Cardinal defense finished poorly vs. Arizona. Stanford led 38-29 entering the final quarter but gave up two TDs. The Wildcats ended up with 553 yards.
In fairness, Stanford played those games without standout defensive end Erik Lorig, who’s been sidelined by a groin injury. And safety Delano Howell didn’t play vs. Arizona because of a thigh injury.
Howell, perhaps Stanford’s hardest-hitting DB, leads the team with two interceptions, and that’s an area in which the Cardinal has been lacking. It’s forced only seven turnovers this season. Lorig, meanwhile, is Stanford’s most highly touted lineman.
Linebacker Clinton Snyder, in any case, has been a consistent performer, recording a team-high 56 tackles. Free safety Bo McNally is second on the squad with 43 tackles, and Howell has 36 in six games.
Will Powers leads Stanford with six pass breakups from his linebacker spot, and also has three sacks. Defensive end Thomas Keiser paces the team with 5.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss.
