Junior running back D.J. Foster looks out at the crowd after making a 56 yard run for a touchdown against Weber State. ASU defeated Weber State 45-14 at Sun Devil Stadium on Aug. 28. (Photo by Andrew Ybanez)ASU football took New Mexico to school on Saturday, so how did it grade? Let's take a look.
Valedictorian
Junior running back D.J. Foster
Foster was unstoppable on Saturday. He racked up 270 all-purpose yards, easily the most in recent ASU history. He was finally rewarded for his hard work in the fourth quarter with a touchdown run. Foster set a career-record with 216 rushing yards. It's the third time in the last three games that Foster has out rushed his previous career-high, going from 132 in the Holiday Bowl to 147 against Weber State to tonight's record-setting performance. Foster didn't do it all on his own, though. Four others scored rushing touchdowns and eight other players got carries.
Report card
Offense: A-minus
The offense was nearly flawless. It doesn't get much better than a 58-point, 621-yard performance. The only knocks it can take are that it was against an opponent which averaged 517 yards against per game last season and that the passing game wasn't particularly prominent, but it didn't have to be. Coach Todd Graham has said that he will take whatever's available to him, and tonight it was the running game; against Weber State, it was the Taylor Kelly to Jaelen Strong connection. The offensive line also factors into the grade, and it played the best it has played arguably in the past two seasons, at least. Kelly was sacked only once, for only one yard. It also played a big part in getting the running game as productive as it was.
Defense: B-minus
If the game had continued like it was going in the first half, the defense would have received a much lower grade than it did. Thanks to a second half during which the Lobos didn't score offensively, the defense turned in a respectable outing. Outside of a window in the second and third quarters, the Lobos were shut down pretty effectively. There were some discipline issues early on against the triple option, but they were fixed quickly after halftime. Graham said he didn't change anything in the scheme, but told his guys to just remember their assignments better, and New Mexico went from 21 points on offense in the first half to zero in the second.
Special teams: C
When you miss two kicks, a field goal and an extra point, the chances at getting a grade higher than a C go out the window. ASU's kick coverage team, on the other hand, performed well enough, and the Sun Devils executed an impressive two-point conversion. Graham, who has tried to focus on improving special teams play, should be happy with a 14.5-yard average return on kickoffs. It also helps not having to punt, typically a weak spot for ASU.
Overall grade: B+
Reach the reporter at ewebeck@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @EvanWebeck
