By Pat Marrujo for DieHardDevil.com

3

Against UC Davis & Missouri, the Sun Devils showed improvement in ball security over 2010’s turnover problem. But last week’s game in Champaign was different. The ASU offense turned the ball over three times, two interceptions and one fumble. The fumble, in which Osweiler was hit from behind around the ASU 40 yard line, led to Illinois go-ahead touchdown drive.

If ASU wants to be a force in the Pac 12, it is essential that turnovers are minimized.

6

Prior to last week’s game, arguably the brightest spot of the 2011 squad had been the play of the offensive line. However, that all changed last Saturday. Brock Osweiler was sacked six times and pressured on countless downs as the offensive line looked confused and overwhelmed by the Illinois defensive front.

However, not all the blame should be directed to the big guys up front. Osweiler was taking a very long time checking his reads and seemed to be confused by the Illini coverage at times.

6

From 6 weeks to the remainder of the season, defensive end Junior Onyeali may not be in the huddle. He partially tore his meniscus against the Fighting Illini on Saturday. The extent of the damage will be determined after the surgery procedure which will happen in the coming week. The defense is already without linebacker Brandon Magee, cornerback Omar Bolden, cornerback Devan Spann, and possibly safety Eddie Elder. Another injury was the last thing they needed. Davon Coleman, who had a solid performance against Illinois, will be expected to replace Onyeali moving forward.

8-91

Both bad numbers. The first represents total penalties, and the second is penalty yards. For the second week in a row, this has been a killer for the maroon and gold. The penalties have been a consistent theme during the Dennis Erickson era in Tempe. The preparation and mental focus required on a college football field is as much a part of the game as executing plays for yardage. If this is not fixed starting Saturday against USC, the edge will be lost on close games like Illinois and others where the margin for error is very small.

17-14

It’s ugly and too familiar, and it happened again. The Sun Devils did the right things to lose this game as they had too many times in ’10. They played a solid team in Illinois, but from most angles, the Devils had the edge. However “ASU came up short” which is basically a nicer way to say “The Devils Lost”. The books are closed on September 17, 2011.

A solid season will be shaped by Victory in the close ones. Sun Devils must close.

18-305-4

Aaron Plfugrad – These are his receiving stats to start the season. He has 18 catches for 305 yards and four touchdowns. Pflugrad has been one of the best receivers in the country, and he’s continuing to put up gaudy numbers game in and game out.

32

At the end of the first half, kicker Alex Garoutte lined up for a 32 yard field goal…and missed. The Sun Devils ended up losing by three points, and Garoutte’s struggles are a concern moving forward. Arizona State will need Garoutte to find his range and start hitting these easy looks, or else his inconsistency is sure to cost the Sun Devils a game down the road.

240

The Sun Devil defense managed to hold a solid Illinois offense to just 240 yards.

Just one week after a disappointing showing against Missouri, the injury-riddled defense showed that they are still a top threat in the Pac 12. Linebacker, Vontaze Burfict looked like an All-American for the first time this season, and the defensive line played their best game to date. If ASU can continue to play this way on the defensive side of the ball, wins will come easier.

362

After gaining a combined total of 1,009 yards in the previous two games, the Sun Devils only managed to gain 362 total yards on the Illinois. Quarterback Brock Osweiler and the offensive line had their most challenging game of the season, and running back Cameron Marshall got banged up early in the game.

The 362 yards is not horrible, but Sun Devil fans have already come to expect better from this ASU offense.

. . . and It all comes back to one.

After Saturday at Illinois, the 2011 Sun Devils have recorded two Wins and a Loss. This Loss hurts, but it is not necessarily devastating to the season. Conference play starts this week, and most of the hangover from ASU’s trip to Champaign can be eased with one game, a Victory over the Trojans at Sun Devil Stadium on Saturday.

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