One of the biggest challenges the Arizona State Sun Devils faced in 2016 was protecting the quarterback. One game into 2017, things didn’t look any better, despite picking up a win.
Redshirt junior quarterback Manny Wilkins was left battered and bruised, as he was sacked seven times by New Mexico State last Thursday in ASU’s season-opener. In all, 13 of Arizona State’s plays sent the Sun Devils backward and another 10 went for no gain.
With nearly 30 percent of ASU’s snaps failing to produce a positive outcome, many were left wondering what happened, especially against a team that went 3-9 a year ago in the Sun Belt Conference, a league not exactly known for its firepower.