Since Oct. 11, ASU has not played a single game at Mountain America Stadium, with two road tilts sandwiching a bye week in the middle. On Saturday, the Sun Devils will return home and host UCF, a team they haven’t faced since 2002.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Arizona State (6-2, 3-2) is fresh off of achieving bowl eligibility after blowing out Oklahoma State 42-21 and reaching the six-win mark. UCF (4-5, 2-4), who were on a five-game losing streak heading into last weekend, crushed the University of Arizona 56-12 to snap the skid.
Here are five keys to the matchup for the Sun Devils to win against UCF:
Stop R.J. Harvey
While ASU’s defense passed the test in defending Oklahoma State running back and reigning Doak Walker Award winner Ollie Gordon II last week, UCF’s R.J. Harvey is having a much better season and may be the best rusher the Sun Devils have faced this year. Harvey is third in the country in both rushing yards (1,201) and yards per game (133.4). Against Arizona last week, the Florida native recorded three touchdowns and 184 rushing yards from 22 carries.
With UCF not having found a permanent solution at the quarterback position, expect Harvey to be utilized heavily in Tempe. In their case, the Sun Devils have been good at defending the run, ranked second in the Big 12 in rushing defense and conceding only 111.9 yards per game.
Running back depth steps up without Skattebo
In the early stages of the fourth quarter against Oklahoma State, Cam Skattebo suffered an undisclosed injury which saw him take off his shoulder pads and jersey for the remainder of the game. He did not practice this week after collecting 274 yards of offense and three touchdowns in the win over the Cowboys, indicating that the injury could keep him out for the game vs. UCF. The Arizona State star has now been ruled out and will not play against the Knights, a huge blow to how Sun Devil offense clicks.
For ASU, however, running back is arguably the position on the roster with the most depth.
With Skattebo inactive Saturday and Raleek Brown (hamstring) out for the rest of the season, Kyson Brown and DeCarlos Brooks will be called upon more than have been all season. Kyson Brown scored two touchdowns and rushed for 63 yards off of 15 carries vs. Oklahoma State, signifying that he will most likely be the running back who Sam Leavitt will hand off the ball to the most without Skattebo.
Alton McCaskill IV, who transferred from Colorado in the offseason, hasn’t played since Arizona State’s home opener against Wyoming. Freshman Jason Brown Jr. also hasn’t featured since Aug. 31 like McCaskill.
Make UCF quarterbacks falter
Before they obliterated Arizona last week, the Knights had a hard time trying to pick a quarterback who could produce offense regularly. UCF has used four quarterbacks this season despite all of them staying healthy. K.J. Jefferson, an Arkansas transfer, started the season as the No. 1 quarterback, then E.J. Colson stepped in against Cincinnati. Getting a spark from one of its options, UCF saw redshirt freshman Dylan Rizk lead the team to crush Arizona amidst the uncertainty at the position.
With Rizk the latest to perform well, albeit being against a woeful Arizona team, he will most likely get the nod and will be under center for the Knights once again.
Leavitt remains consistent
Despite sustaining a rib injury vs. Utah on Oct. 11 and missing the 24-14 loss to Cincinnati, Leavitt came back against Oklahoma State and picked up right where he left off. The Michigan State transfer completed 20-of-29 passes for 304 yards and three touchdowns in Stillwater. He rushed seven times for five yards.
Though ASU struggled with Jeff Sims against Cincinnati a few weeks ago, Leavitt should start for the rest of the year and will look to build on his remarkable season thus far vs. the Knights.
ASU starting linebacker ruled out vs. UCF, Cam Skattebo remains ‘doubtful to questionable’
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers the Phoenix Mercury, Suns and ASU Athletics for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
