Quarterback
EDGE: Illinois
Illinois junior quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase practiced Wednesday for the first time since injuring his ankle in the Fighting Illini’s 24-7 win over Western Michigan last Saturday.
He’s questionable to play at Sun Devil Stadium Saturday. If Scheelhaase is ready to go, Illinois gets the edge here.
Given his experience, Scheelhaase is a more polished duel-threat quarterback than anyone at ASU. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Taylor Kelly had a solid debut, but the box score can be deceiving.
He finished 15-of-19 for 247 yards and a touchdown in the 63-6 win over NAU, an FCS team. It looks great but a flaw in his game was exposed — arm strength. His longest completion, a 50-yard pass to senior wide receiver Rashad Ross, was underthrown. If Kelly hit Ross in stride, that’s easily a touchdown.
He didn’t have a turnover due to a conservative pass attack. Kelly’s throws were mainly to receivers running short-yardage routes. We’ll have a better idea of Kelly’s ability at quarterback Saturday against a good Illinois defense.
Redshirt freshman Michael Eubank only attempted one throw against the Lumberjacks. Eubank ran the ball seven times for 36 yards. He’ll likely be used less against the Fighting Illini, and they’ll likely stack the box when he’s in the game to counter his running ability. He can sling the ball, he’ll likely need to show that to stretch Illinois’ defense.
Running back
EDGE: ASU
Junior running back Marion Grice and freshman running back D.J. Foster stole the show on offense in their debuts. Grice finished with 107 yards and three touchdowns while Foster collected 67 yards and a touchdown.
As if the Sun Devils needed two more solid tailbacks.
They clearly have one of the best groups of running backs in the Pac-12. They racked up 325 yards on the ground, while senior Cameron Marshall had just nine carries.
Senior running back James Morrison is back following a one-game suspension for violating team rules. Nicknamed “The Tank” by coach Todd Graham, it’s hard to imagine how the coaching staff will split carries among the running backs.
Illinois redshirt freshman Josh Ferguson returns this season, following a hamstring injury last year that forced him to miss the last 10 games of the season. He finished with 38 yards on 11 carries as the Fighting Illini struggled to move the ball once Scheelhaase left the game in the second half. They were predictable, relying heavily on the run, as sophomore quarterback Reilly O’Toole attempted just three passes.
Sophomore running back Donovonn Young didn’t have a good game on the ground against Western Michigan, finishing with two yards on 11 carries. Sophomore tight end Jon Davis led the team with 54 yards on six carries.
Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends
EDGE: ASU
Neither team has a proven core of receivers.
ASU has a slight advantage with junior tight end Chris Coyle and Foster’s impressive ability to move to receiver.
The Sun Devils will also see the return of senior wide receiver Jamal Miles, who served a one-game suspension in the opener. His presence will take reps away from freshman wide receiver Richard Smith, who had a solid debut.
Illinois junior wide receiver Ryan Lankford caught just one ball and led the team in receiving yards. He had a 64-yard touchdown on the team’s first possession.
Aside from that play, it was a pretty uneventful performance from the Fighting Illini receivers. It didn’t help that once Scheelhaase left, Illinois didn’t air it out at all.
Offensive Line
EDGE: Illinois
The Fighting Illini fit the Big Ten stereotype on the offensive line.
They’re big.
Sophomore guard Alex Hill checks in at 325 pounds. Senior tackle Hugh Thornton, who weighs 310 pounds, made the switch from right guard last season. Senior center Graham Pocic is listed at 6 foot 7 inches, 305 pounds.
Despite a new coaching staff, the Fighting Illini are still strong and athletic up front under Tim Beckman.
And this is not a knock on ASU’s offensive line. The group is deeper than Graham expected and created huge running lanes last Saturday. Offensive line coach Bob Connelly has done a solid job in his short time at ASU.
Defensive Line
EDGE: Illinois
The Fighing Illini lose a consensus All-American in Whitney Mercilus but return five of its top six defensive linemen. Led by junior defensive tackle Akeem Spence and senior defensive end Michael Buchanan, Western Michigan posted 6 rushing yards against Illinois.
It’s not a deep front four, however. Neither is ASU’s defensive line. The absence of junior defensive tackle Mike Pennel, who is serving a one-game suspension, shifts junior defensive end Davon Coleman as the second team nose tackle.
Linebackers
EDGE: ASU
Pre-season All-Big Ten junior linebacker Jonathan Brown anchors Illinois’ linebackers. He finished last season with 108 tackles, six sacks and an interception.
After Brown, it’s a thin group.
While ASU is thin at this position as well, it has a solid core of starters. Led by redshirt senior linebacker Brandon Magee, Graham is still trying to find the best combination of linebackers around Magee. While junior linebackers Steffon Martin and Chris Young and redshirt sophomore Carl Bradford got the start last Saturday, don’t be surprised if redshirt junior Anthony Jones starts Saturday.
Secondary
EDGE: Push
Senior cornerback Terry Hawthorne returns as part of one of the best pass defenses in the country last season. Illinois allowed just 162.3 passing yards a game.
The Fighting Illini lost Tavon Wilson, but Hawthrone finished with 60 tackles and three interceptions last season.
Consistency at the safety position is needed between senior Supo Sanni and junior Steve Hull this season. ASU counters with a solid safety duo in junior Alden Darby and senior Keelan Johnson. Darby collected an interception in last Saturday’s game.
ASU lost two cornerbacks for the year due to injuries. While it has a solid duo of redshirt junior Osahon Irabor and senior Deveron Carr, third cornerback junior Robert Nelson will have to erase the mental errors from last Saturday’s game. The Sun Devils will need him given their lack of depth at the position.
Special Teams
EDGE: ASU
Miles returns and brings that “x-factor” ability on kickoff and punt returns. Davis didn’t get a chance to make an impact on special teams, returning one punt for a yard.
Sophomore Alex Garoutte didn’t get a chance to show why he won the starting kicking job. He didn’t miss an extra point, but he didn’t attempt a field goal. Illinois sophomore kicker Nick Immekus went 1-for-2 last Saturday.
Overall: ASU
The slight edge goes to ASU because it’s a home game. This game will likely play out similar to last season’s low scoring, close affair. The difference could be what Graham preaches constantly to his players — don’t turn the ball over and no penalties.
Last year, ASU had three turnovers and eight penalties for 91 yards. If the Sun Devils’ discipline plays out like it did last Saturday, an aspect that has bit them in close games could sway in their favor for once.
Reach the reporter at Master.Tesfatsion@asu.edu
