TEMPE — It is third-down-and-long, a situation where an offense needs at least seven yards to convert a first down. This down and distance can present a dicey situation for any offense.
ASU football struggled both on third down and on third-and-long last season.
Overall, the Sun Devils converted only 74 of 194 attempts on third down. Their 38.1 conversion percentage ranked ninth in the Pac-12, according to official conference statistics.
In 26 attempts on third down with 7-to-9-yards to go, ASU picked up a first down only six times. In the same situation, under the direction of then-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Chip Lindsey, ASU attempted 17 running plays and turned three of those into a first down.
Under the direction of new coordinator and quarterbacks coach Billy Napier, redshirt sophomore wide receiver John Humphrey and the rest of the offense will attempt to reverse their fortunes.
“We just have to execute the coach’s plan,” Humphrey said. “If they’re (the defense) playing a certain way, we might have to get the ball out quicker.”
Humphrey said receivers can run a multitude of routes on third-down-and-long.
“There are many of them,” Humphrey said. “Fades, out routes, etc.”
What ASU does on third-and-long and extra-long (10-plus yards needed to continue the drive) will also likely depend on who starts at quarterback and the confidence the coaching staff has in the starter’s ability to accurately throw a deep ball.
Head coach Todd Graham has said it is redshirt junior Manny Wilkins' job to lose. But, Alabama transfer Blake Barnett has received first-team reps, and the redshirt sophomore said at Camp Tontozona he is focused on becoming the starter.
“I came here ... to be the starting quarterback,” Barnett said.
Over the course of 11 games last season, the longest pass ASU completed on third-and-long was 13 yards and the longest pass completed on third down and extra-long was seven yards.
Those numbers are representative of ASU’s conservative approach last season.
In 2016, Wilkins started 10 games, completed 12 passing touchdowns and threw for 2,329 yards.
In obvious passing situations, like third-and-long, redshirt junior right tackle Quinn Bailey said protecting the quarterback is priority number one.
“Just giving Manny (Wilkins) the time he needs to make a play,” Bailey said.
Junior tight end Jay Jay Wilson said his role on third-and-long is wide-ranging.
“It can be anything from running inside routes, opening up passes to other people, to even pass protection,” Wilson said.
As far as an ironed plan of attack for downs and distances, ASU’s home opener against New Mexico State on Aug. 31 could provide clarity.
* Third down stats courtesy of cfbstats.com and pac-12.com.
Reach the reporter at jpjacqu1@asu.edu or follow @joejacquezaz on Twitter.
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