Less than a minute: It's a short time, but not for ASU's defense.
Redshirt junior linebacker Zyrus Fiaseu led the San Diego State Aztecs in tackles last year and was their defensive MVP. Less than a minute into the Sun Devils' season opener, Fiaseu was already flying around the field. He secured the first ASU takeaway of the year and took it to the house to get the stadium rocking, with the biggest student section since 2014.
It took ASU four games to force a turnover during the 2023 season. This season, it only took ASU two defensive plays to create a turnover. What changed?
The defensive culture.
"Our kids love football," head coach Kenny Dillingham said. "I think that was the easiest thing to take away is the passion they have for the game. They play hard. They practice hard, though, so it is a reflection of how we're practicing."
ASU forced two more turnovers in a dominant 48-7 win over Wyoming. The culture has seemingly changed with Dillingham getting another offseason under his belt. It's been something that he has been crafting for months within the team, harping on effort and takeaways during film sessions.
"I don't show somebody make a superstar catch. I don't show superstar juke moves," Dillingham said.
READ MORE: ASU football dominates Wyoming in season opener
After only giving up 118 yards, ASU was ranked third in the country in defensive efficiency with a score of just over 99. Dillingham said he wasn't surprised by the team's defensive performance.
Two main transfers from the offseason are Fiaseu and junior linebacker Keyshaun Elliott, who both led their teams in tackles a year ago. The incoming linebackers are holding their new team's defense to a higher standard.
"At almost every practice we cheer for any takeaway that we get, whether it's versus the scout team or versus the one offense," Elliott said. "It's something that we hold ourselves accountable for. I think if you get three turnovers that’s a crazy percentage of winning."
READ MORE: ASU football relying on deep transfer class heading into season
The rebuilt defense has bonded throughout the offseason. The team feels they're as close as ever with new faces at all three levels of the defense.
"Camp T definitely (brought) us together as a group," Elliot said, referring to ASU's preseason camp held in Payson. "I feel like this team is really connected. We do a lot of stuff off the field together."
The Sun Devils have a chance to do something never done before in program history: beating an SEC team. Mississippi State enters the desert after a 56-7 win against Eastern Kentucky.
Mississippi State brings a more fast-paced SEC style of play than the Wyoming squad ASU faced a week ago. The ASU defense will need to build off of a dominant season opener to keep head coach Jeff Lebby's team at bay.
"Mississippi (State) is more talented, faster guys," Elliott said. "We're gonna prepare for every game just like we will the others."
The defense is ready to step up to the challenge by showcasing their talent on ESPN on Saturday.
"We really want to be a top defense in the country. No if, ands or buts — that starts today," defensive back Xavion Alford said. "I tell the team, you win the game throughout the week. You don't just show up on Saturday and win."
Edited by Jack Barron, Abigail Beck and Madeline Schmitke.
Reach the reporter at danielr1102@gmail.com and follow @daniel_rios72 on X.
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Daniel is a senior studying sports journalism. This is his first semester with The State Press. He has also worked at WCSN, OC Riptide, 1550 Sports and AZPreps365.
