Quarterback
EDGE: Even
One week after committing three turnovers in the first quarter alone, junior quarterback Brock Osweiler righted the ship with a near perfect performance against Utah.
He completed 25 of his 41 passes for 325 throwing yards and three touchdowns in what was the third 100-yard passing game of his career. The ASU signal caller now owns a 66.7 completion percentage this season with 1,677 passing yards and 13 touchdowns.
Osweiler is no stranger to Autzen Stadium. He made his first career collegiate start in Eugene as a true freshman and finished 5-for-10 in passing for 15 yards before an injury in the second quarter knocked him out of the game.
Junior quarterback Darron Thomas is coming off a 198 yard, three-touchdown performance in last week’s contest at home versus California. He has tallied a 159.3 efficiency rating to go with a 59.4 completion percentage this season. Thomas has also thrown a touchdown pass in 18 straight games.
Running Back
EDGE: OREGON
The Sun Devils struggled to accomplish much of anything on the ground last week. Junior running back Cameron Marshall was held to 47 rushing yards and a single touchdown.
Nonetheless, Marshall is ninth in the conference in rushing and third in the Pac-12 with eight touchdowns. He’s scrambled for 421 yards this year, and eclipsed the 1,500 career-yards mark in the Utah game.
But there are few, if any, players that are more explosive in college football than junior running back LaMichael James. His 4,219 career rushing yards places him fifth in conference history while he became just the second player in Pac-12 history to eclipse the 4,000 yard mark as a junior.
He’s been spectacular and then some for the Ducks through the season’s first five games. James has bolted for 852 yards, eight touchdowns, and averages 170.4 yards per game. He’s ran for three 200 yards in three straight games.
Last week, the All-American and Doak Walker Award winner ran for 239 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries. His stellar play earned him Pac-12 Player of the Week honors, while he also won the Walter Camp National Player of the Week award.
James could, however, miss Saturday’s game due to an elbow injury. When he’s on the field, he is undoubtedly a game changer for the Ducks.
Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends
EDGE: Even
ASU entered the season knowing it had a ton of depth at wide receiver. It seems as if a new wide out steps up and has a career game every week.
Senior wide receiver Gerell Robinson notched the first 100-yard receiving game of his career last Saturday. He hauled in seven catches for 101 yards.
Senior wide receiver Mike Willie also caught seven Osweiler passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Junior wide receiver Jamal Miles added to his impressive 2011 stats by catching a five- yard touchdown pass in the opening quarter.
Miles is the lone player in the nation that has collected a touchdown on a reception, kickoff return, and punt return while also throwing a touchdown pass.
UO boasts no shortage of playmakers on offense as five Duck players own 100 or more receiving yards this season.
Freshman De’Anthony Thomas leads that group with his 17 receptions for 286 yards and four touchdowns. Senior wide out Lavasier Tuinei is not far behind with 17 catches for 190 yards and four scores.
Freshman tight end Colt Lyerla has made three catches this year and all have resulted in touchdowns. With his 20-yard catch against Nevada, he became the first UO true freshman to have his first reception be a touchdown.
Offensive Line
EDGE: OREGON
ASU’s experience offensive line has taken several hits this season. Sophomore lineman Evan Finkenberg is out with a knee injury. In his place was redshirt freshman Tyler Sulka, who filled in nicely at right tackle for the Sun Devils.
Senior center Garth Gerhart fell victim to a severe ankle sprain against Oregon State but fought through the pain and played last week.
UO’s offensive line does its part in providing James with plenty of room to run. Additionally, Thomas has been sacked just three times this season.
Senior linemen Mark Asper and Darrion Weems, along with junior Nick Cody and Carson York, returned this year after helping the Ducks lead the FBS with a 47 points per game average a season ago.
Defensive Line
EDGE: Even
Sophomore defensive end Junior Onyeali returned to practice on Tuesday, but his status for Saturday is undetermined. Senior defensive end Jamaar Jarrett remains a formidable piece of the ASU defense. He’s notched 80 career tackles, 20 of which have come for loss.
The 2010 campaign was a breakout season for UO senior defensive end Terrell Turner. He was the co-winner of the Clarke Award, which is given to UO’s most improved player. Turner made five and a half tackles for loss during Pac-10 play.
Sophomore defensive tackle Taylor Hart has collected 13 tackles this season after earning 18 all of last year. He reeled in three tackles against ASU on Sept. 25.
Linebackers
EDGE: ASU
The Sun Devils lead the Pac-12 in third down conversion percentage this season. Opposing teams have successfully converted just 25% of their third down opportunities this season.
The ASU linebacker core has played a significant role in shutting down opponent’s offenses. Junior linebacker Vontaze Burfict is tied for second in the Pac-12 with four solo sacks.
For UO, sophomore linebacker Boseko Lokombo has made just one interception in his career. But it became a memorable one when he ran it back for a 67-yard touchdown against Nevada.
Senior linebacker Josh Kaddu started all 13 games for the Ducks last season. He tallied 6 1/2 tackles for loss, which tied him for fifth most on the team.
Secondary
EDGE: ASU
Over the previous four games, ASU has forced an incredible 17 turnovers including five in each of the past two contests. It now leads the Pac-12 with 10 interceptions.
The Sun Devils recorded four interceptions versus Oregon State, and three more last week in Utah. Senior safety Eddie Elder practiced his catching after practices the week before, and it paid off as he hauled in the third pick of his career.
Sophomore safety Alden Darby has burst onto the scene in recent weeks. All of a sudden, Darby has accumulated three interceptions in two games.
Senior safety Clint Floyd also grabbed an interception against Utah.
The UO secondary is anchored by senior rover/safety Eddie Pleasant. His 65 tackles last season placed him fifth on the team.
Special Teams
EDGE: OREGON
Saturday’s game will showcase what could be two of the best return men in both the conference and nation in ASU’s Miles and UO’s James. Both have wreaked havoc on opposing kickoff and punt teams all season long.
Miles unleashed a 78-yard punt return for a touchdown in the Oregon State game. That score marked the first ASU punt return for a touchdown since 2005.
James has amassed 116 punt return yards and averages 19.3 yards per return.
Behind junior punter Jackson Rice, UO leads the Pac-12 in punting with a 46.2 average. Junior kicker Rob Beard is a perfect 33 for 33 in PAT’s this year and is two for three in field goal attempts.
Overall
EDGE: OREGON
ASU travels north to Eugene fresh off an encouraging road victory over Utah. The Sun Devils proved they could be victorious away from Sun Devil Stadium, but competing at the Ducks’ Autzen Stadium is a whole new ballgame. UO has won 19 consecutive games on its home turf.
Nonetheless, Saturday’s nationally televised event will provide a strong indicator of just where ASU stands heading into the second half of the season. With playmakers like James and a lightning quick offense, the Ducks hold the edge in this highly anticipated battle.
Reach the reporter at greg.dillard@asu.edu
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