Just last year, Arizona State led the Pac-12 in total defense. In terms of rushing defense, only one team (UCLA) allowed fewer yards per-game on the ground than ASU’s 132.8.
With four returning starters, and a handful of the same rotation players, the Sun Devils allowed 334 yards rushing, and 487 yards total, in a 30-21 home loss to Eastern Michigan Saturday night. Against Oklahoma State last week, they allowed 197 yards on the ground, but a couple clutch first-half stops let them off the hook compared to the slow offense.
“Obviously, it’s a very disappointing loss from the way we played last week,” coach Herm Edwards said.