Sun Devils Hang 54 On Portland State, Threet Delivers Big Debut

by Cory Williams on Sep 5, 2010 1:27 AM MST in ASU Football

Well, we got what we wanted. Steven Threet played well tonight, and was able to confidently lead the offense in his ASU debut. Cameron Marshall only ran the ball four times, but gained 104 yards. He averaged 26 yards a carry!

While I don't expect that trend to necessarily continue, we must submit that the offense played a lot better tonight than we have seen in previous seasons. New Offensive Coordinator Noel Mazzone has instilled a sense of unpredictability into our scheming.

As a fan, I was pleased with what I saw tonight. The Sun Devils walloped a bad team, but they did it effectively.

The penalties, however, must stop immediately if ASU is to be a factor moving forward. Giving up 93 yards to a Pac-10 school will earn you a loss. One can be pleased that this happened tonight, as to believe that the kinks will be worked out.

Our defense played well on the whole. Vontaze Burfict played extremely aggressive football and was all over the field. Eddie Elder made a nice play to intercept a Vikings pass, and the Devils were able to shut down the offensive attack entirely.

The only bright spot for Portland State is kicker Zach Brown, who looks like a legitimate kicking prospect for professional football (whether or not that is CFL is yet to be determined, but regardless: the kid can kick the ball).

The Sun Devils move to 1-0 on the season, and have a week to prepare for Northern Arizona. Hopefully there is a slightly bigger crowd there to support the troops on September 11.

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Threet looked confident.

It made this game much more watchable than last season. I had confidence throughout the game that Threet was a legit threat, waiting to strike at any moment. This is the fastest Devils team I’ve seen in a while. Now lets do the same to NAU.

by mlev811 on Sep 5, 2010 2:02 AM MST reply actions

Fast is the word I kept thinking last night while watching

Speed at every position (well, maybe not TE).

I know it was Portland State — but my bar was very very low. They played well — I was impressed.

"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan

by Dirk Diggler on Sep 5, 2010 5:07 AM MST up reply actions

I can’t tell you the joy I felt when I saw us run counters and screen passes that actually went for positive yards AND our RB’s didn’t fumble, great game.

by Optical Delusion on Sep 5, 2010 9:40 AM MST reply actions

The new offense looks good

But still, too many penalties, too many dropped passes. This problem was around last year, and it is still around now.

Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].

I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.

by JoeCB1991 on Sep 5, 2010 10:04 AM MST reply actions

Juan Roque blew it

TV commentator Juan Roque owes an apology to the Portland State lineman he accused of dirty and dangerous play for diving at the feet of the ASU player across the line from him. If you look at the replay carefully, and look at the Portland State player’s feet, you’ll see that he was accidentally tripped by the teammate to his right and was falling forward when he went into the lower legs of the ASU player, not deliberately diving into his legs.

by mikesundown on Sep 5, 2010 2:55 PM MST reply actions

Juan Roque just sucks

Period

"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan

by Dirk Diggler on Sep 6, 2010 10:15 AM MST up reply actions

The lack of fans could be due to the excessive heat Saturday. Even in the South End Zone and hydrated I wilted after 20 minutes. Hopefully this Saturday will be cooler and bring out the fans that buy their tickets late.

It's not what you've done but what you are doing that matters.

And the roses in this grand ol' stadium are once again Crimson. - Eli Gold, CTSN Broadcast of the BCS Championship Game at the Rose Bowl, 1-7-2010

by AlabamaJammer on Sep 6, 2010 5:44 AM MST reply actions

Cory...

…don’t forget that the man ran for three touchdowns with those four touches. If the line blocks like that against conference opponents then you guys are looking to have a good year.

It's not what you've done but what you are doing that matters.

And the roses in this grand ol' stadium are once again Crimson. - Eli Gold, CTSN Broadcast of the BCS Championship Game at the Rose Bowl, 1-7-2010

by AlabamaJammer on Sep 6, 2010 5:47 AM MST reply actions