Quarterback

UA sophomore Nick Foles has compiled the third-best passer rating in the conference. Foles once committed to ASU, and the kid with the golden locks has a chance to deepen the wound.

ASU sophomore signal-caller Samson Szakascy displayed improvisational skills, on-the-move accuracy and arm strength in his first career start, throwing two touchdowns while sprinting out of the pocket.

On the flip side, Szakascy also showed his youth in that game. His troubles with ball security played a part in the Sun Devils downfall last week.

In the least, Szakascy remains the most visually entertaining quarterback option.

EDGE: UA

Running Back

The Wildcats have the fourth-best running game, gaining 182.1 yards per contest.

Junior Nic Grigsby and sophomore Keola Antolin are the leading rushers, but they have both been limited by injuries in recent weeks. Three other Wildcats have at least 30 carries to help shoulder the load.

He’s had his struggles and doubters, but ASU senior Dimitri Nance has carved out a nice career with the Maroon and Gold. He’d like nothing more than to finish it by following a 110-yard game against UCLA with a career day against the Wildcats.

EDGE: UA

Wide Receiver/Tight End

Five Wildcats have at least 30 receptions. Sophomore Juron Criner leads the team with eight touchdowns, while senior Terrell Turner leads the team with 44 receptions.

Much of UA’s passing game is predicated on the swing screen, where the Wildcats get isolation matchups on defensive backs.

ASU seniors Kyle Williams and Chris McGaha may have a closing statement before they embark on what could be professional football careers. The duo has combined for 107 catches, 10 touchdowns and close to 1,400 yards this season while catching balls from three inexperienced quarterbacks and playing either sick or injured much of the season.

EDGE: EVEN

Offensive Line

Despite a few breakdowns against the blitz last week, the Wildcats have given up only eight sacks on the season and have one of the most efficient running games in the conference.

ASU senior left tackle Shawn Lauvao plays his final game for the Sun Devils on Saturday, and it’s time to give the Hawaiian who has started since 2006 a hand.

It will also be the last time guard Brent Good, center Thomas Altieiri and tackle Tom Njunge step on the field, though Altieri is out with a knee injury.

EDGE: UA

Defensive Line

UA senior defensive tackle Earl Mitchell and junior defensive end Ricky Elmore have combined for 13 sacks on the year.

The Wildcats have the third-ranked run defense (112.1 yards per game) in the Pac-10 and the fourth-ranked pass defense (208.6 yards per game) despite yielding 44 points to Oregon last week.

ASU senior defensive end Dexter Davis hasn’t had his best year, but he’ll still go down as one of the fiercest edge rushers in school history. Davis has five career sacks against the Wildcats, and nothing would look better to cap off his career than an additional quarterback takedown or two.
EDGE: ASU

Linebackers

Senior Xavier Kelley leads the Wildcats in tackles with 60.
While senior Gerald Munns went down two weeks ago with a dislocated elbow, two of the three wise men — seniors Travis Goethel and Mike Nixon — have a chance to exact a few parting shots against their old nemesis.

The duo has combined for 102 tackles, 13 of which have come behind the line of scrimmage.

EDGE: ASU

Secondary

Sophomore Trevin Wade leads UA with four interceptions on the year.

Sophomore Robert Golden has added two of his own, while senior cornerback Devin Ross and senior safety Cam Nelson have been a major factors in tackle support, ranking second and third on the team.

Senior Pierre Singfield had four tackles against UCLA, and he, along with fellow seniors in safeties Ryan McFoy and Jarrell Holman and cornerback Terell Carr all bid farewell to the ASU faithful Saturday.

EDGE: UA

Special Teams

UA sophomore Alex Zandejas has made 15 of his 19 field goal attempts on the season, and junior punter Keenyan Crier has averaged 40 yards a boot. Junior returner Travis Cobb has taken one kickoff to the house this season.

ASU junior punter Trevor Hankins and junior kicker Thomas Weber likely have NFL legs, but Hankins has struggled in recent weeks and Weber has not made a field goal beyond 30 yards while he continues to recover from a groin injury

EDGE: ASU

Overall EDGE: UA

Reach the reporter at nick.ruland@asu.edu.