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Game
5 - Arizona State Sun Devils
Hello
Beaver Fans,
This
week the Sun Devils of Arizona invade Reser Stadium
on Saturday night for the conference opener for
both teams. Arizona State is currently ranked number
24 by Coaches Poll and 28th in the AP poll. The
Beavers are ranked 51st in the CBS Sportsline Top
117 and 50th in the coaches poll.
This
is a big game for the Beavers, their coaching staff
and a certain quarterback. If the Beavers can put
together a solid performance and come out of this
game with a victory it will go along way in silencing
the critics, at least for this week. And if the
Beavers expect to compete for a place in a good
bowl game, this is a must win game.
Arizona
State is 2-1 this season and has been struggling
of late with their offense. Last week they only
put up 2 points against Iowa at Iowa in losing 21-2.
They have beaten Northern Arizona 34-14 and Utah
State 26-16 at Arizona State.
BY
THE NUMBERS
The
Beavers lead in many categories over ASU including
all the major offensive and defensive categories.
Areas that ASU has the advantage statistically are
turnover ratio, sacks taken, penalty yardage, punting,
punt returns and kickoff returns. The Beavers offense
has put up some big number and their defense has
been putting up the small numbers. However the defense
has not returned to the same conference leading
form that it has been at in past years. With the
graduation of key players and the addition of several
new players in key positions, the Beavers have been
giving up more yards then in previous years. It
just goes to show you how good Weathersby and Roberts
were at the corners.
THE
SERIES
Arizona
State holds a 21-7-1 all-time advantage in the series
with Oregon State and has won the last seven meetings
between the two teams. ASU also holds a 5-4-1 edge
in games played in Corvallis, winning the last meeting
there with a 13-10 victory in 1997. Last year, Arizona
State came out on top in a defensive struggle, downing
the Beavers 13-9 on Oct. 12, 2002 at Sun Devil Stadium.
WHO
TO WATCH FOR ON ASU
- Andrew
Walter - Quarterback
- Skyler
Fulton - Wide Receiver
- Derek
Hagan - Wide Receiver
- Loren
Wade - Running Back
- Randy
Hill - Running Back
FOR
THE BEAVERS
- Derek
Anderson - Can he put together another solid game
with no interceptions
- Steven
Jackson - How is his knee? Can he play at all
without risking further injury
- Mike
Hass - Becoming a star receiver
- James
Newson - Had a huge game last week, can he do
it again?
- Dwight
Wright - The ball may rest in his hands if Jackson
cannot play.
- Ryan
Cole - Same as Dwight Wright.
THE
BOTTOM LINE
The
need this win to contend in the PAC-10, if they
loss this game that will put them into the pack
and set a bad tone for the rest of the season. A
win on Saturday will put the Beavers at the top
of the conference and in position to make a run.
The Beavers have a favorable schedule this season
and must win all their home games to contend for
the conference title. That starts on Saturday.
The
defense needs a strong game against the pass and
the corners need to have solid performances and
not give up the big play like they did last week
against Boise State.
Special
Teams is also an area where the Beavers need to
show improvement. They have not had the advantage
in special teams in any game this season and gave
up a punt return for a touchdown last week.
Stupid
penalties need to stop also. The late hits, the
after the play action. Those kind of penalties will
kill a team fast. The Beavers need to play with
intensity but under control.
If
Derek Anderson and Steven Jackson have similar performances
to what they had the last two weeks the Beavers
should put enough points on the board to win this
game. Look for the tight ends and Mike Hass to have
big games this Saturday.
FINAL
SCORE
Beavers
35
Sun Devils 21
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