Quarterback
Portland State won two games in 2009 and was ranked 75th in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and second to last in the Big Sky Conference in passing efficiency. The team as a whole threw 23 interceptions in 11 games and did not play a defense anywhere near the caliber of ASU.
Senior Drew Hubel started the first eight games of last season until suffering knee and shoulder injuries. He threw nine touchdowns and 12 interceptions, but did have four consecutive 300-yard games against Southern Oregon, Weber State, Montana and Sacramento State.
Hubel is likely to start the season opener.
Over the last month or so of camp, redshirt junior Steven Threet has outperformed sophomore Brock Osweiler and redshirt junior Samson Szakacsy. Threet, a transfer from Michigan who played on the practice squad last year, seems to have the best feel for offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone’s system, even if both Osweiler (stronger arm) and Szakacsy (faster and quicker) have better athletic attributes.
One of the biggest reasons the Sun Devils lost four games last year by a combined 13 points was because it ranked 102nd in passing efficiency in the Football Bowl Subdivision and 62nd in the country in passing yards under former offensive coordinator Rich Olsen.
Threet and the offense’s performance will likely be the most interesting aspect of the opener, but second would be if ASU shows any packages featuring its other two talented quarterbacks.
EDGE: ASU
Running Backs
The Vikings, a passing team over the last few years, ranked 94th in the FCS last year in rushing yards per game and finished the year averaging just 3.6 yards per carry. Portland State lost its leading rusher from last year, Bobby McClintock, and could look to receiver turned back Cory McCaffrey to help shoulder the load.
The Sun Devils ranked 93rd in the country (FBS) last year in rushing yards per game, averaging just 3.75 yards per carry. Much of that may have been due to the Sun Devils lack of play diversity and incompatible personnel to system relationship under Olsen, as they largely relied on the QB zone read option, with, ironically, an immobile quarterback who didn’t like to run.
While the Sun Devils lose the wiggle of graduated back Dimitri Nance, it is likely a more talented unit this year.
First, sophomore Cameron Marshall will be featured more. Marshall showed glimpses both in-between the tackles and in the open field last year, averaging 4.4 yards per carry. He has a downhill running style that would seem an ideal complement to many of Mazzone’s quick-hitting, field-spreading and misdirection plays.
One of the most promising players in camp has been true freshman running back Deantre Lewis. Lewis ran a 4.36 second 40-yard dash and was difficult for ASU defenders to square up in camp. Electric Sophomore Jamal Miles, perhaps every bit of the athlete Lewis is, will also be heavily featured in many different roles in Mazzone’s offense.
EDGE: ASU
Receivers/Tight Ends
The Vikings return their leading receiver in 2010, senior Ray Fry, who averaged just over 80 yards per game last year, though he only caught three touchdowns.
While the Sun Devils lost standouts Kyle Williams and Chris McGaha to graduation, the receiving corps may have more talent and depth than it did last year. Junior Gerell Robinson and senior Kerry Taylor return, and both will be looking to put up their best years in maroon and gold.
New to the scene is junior transfer George Bell, and he gives ASU a weapon they haven’t had in a while—a player who has the speed and size to stretch the field vertically.
Aaron Plufgrad, a diminutive transfer from Oregon who had to sit out last year because of the transfer rule, should be one of the top slot receivers in the conference with his quickness, hands and elite route-running. Junior tight end Trevor Kohl should provide a dual threat receiving and blocking.
EDGE:ASU
Offensive Line
Portland State ranked 95th in the country in sacks allowed, giving up 28 on the season, and had a difficult time blocking for its running game.
Once again for ASU, the biggest question mark heading into the season is the offensive line. Projected starters, senior Jon Hargis, junior Matt Hustad (career), sophomore Zach Schlink are all out with injury and only Hargis (ACL) has a chance of returning. Much is to be learned of this unit and it may go through much transformation as the year goes on, though redshirt junior Aderious Simmons has been one of the more promising offensive lineman.
EDGE: ASU
Defensive Line
The Vikings ranked fourth in the Big-Sky in sacks created with 24, though they lost their sacks leader on the defensive line to graduation.
Despite losing standout sophomore defensive tackle William Sutton to ineligibility and Dexter Davis to the NFL, the Sun Devils front four still has a chance to be one of the best units in the country. Junior Lawrence Guy and redshirt senior Saia Falahola have a chance to dominate the inside while ends junior Jamaar Jarrett, sophomore Greg Smith and junior James Brooks will be feasting on opposing tackles, tight ends and backs.
EDGE: ASU
Linebackers
Portland State returns its leading tackler junior Ryan Rau, who also had four sacks last year, but lost its third leading tackler Ryan Pedersen to graduation. The Vikings were 43rd last year in the FCS in rush defense.
The Sun Devils were first in the Pac-10 and 13th in the country in total defense, and their linebackers may have been the biggest reason for it. While Mike Nixon and Travis Goethel both graduated, it only means more from the outstanding trio of junior Brandon Magee, junior Shelly Lyons and sophomore Vontaze Burfict.
Redshirt senior Gerald Munns is likely the best fourth linebacker in the country.
EDGE: ASU
Secondary
Portland State had five interceptions in 2009, were last in their conference in pass efficiency defense and nearly last in all the FCS in both categories.
The only unit that seemed to encounter moments of weakness for the Sun Devils defense last year was the secondary, as big plays hurt ASU in big moments. The Sun Devils have greatly improved their athleticism from 2009 with a healthy junior Omar Bolden, redshirt sophomore Deveron Carr and safeties junior Clint Floyd and redshirt sophomore Keelan Johnson. In 2010, ASU’s secondary could be just as talented as its defensive line and linebackers, and that is saying something.
EDGE: ASU
Special Teams
Vikings sophomore kicker Zach Brown was 18 of 25 on field goal attempts in 2009. Portland State was quite average in punting, kick-off and punt returns.
The return of a healthy redshirt senior kicker Thomas Weber could make all the difference for ASU in 2010 if they play in as many close games. Redshirt senior punter Trevor Hankins ranked tenth in the country last year in yards per punt.
EDGE: ASU
Overall EDGE: ASU
Reach the reporter at nick.ruland@asu.edu
