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The concern after the game was more about the status of starting quarterback Taylor Kelly, but the Sun Devils still had a strong team performance in their 38-24 win over Colorado. Who led the Sun Devils in their first conference matchup? Here are the game balls for Arizona State's win in Boulder.
D.J. Foster
The only player who can consistently expect a spot on this list, Foster was brilliant on Saturday. The junior carried the ball twenty times on the night, rushing for 147 yards and a touchdown. Foster also contributed in the passing game, hauling in four catches for 59 yards and a score. Foster is now at 512 yards rushing through the first three games, with 139 yards receiving. The junior will be heavily-leaned on in Arizona State's next game versus UCLA, especially if Kelly does not return to the field soon.
Jordan Simone
A walk-on at safety, Simone earned a starting spot at safety this year as a replacement for Alden Darby, and he's shown promise so far. On Saturday he had his best game, picking off Colorado starter Sefo Liufau in the first quarter and forcing a fumble in the second quarter and recording 13 tackles. Arizona State scored touchdowns on both offensive possessions following Simone's takeaways.
A smaller player than Darby, Simone's proved that he is just as tough and tenacious as the former Sun Devil star.
Matt Haack
Haack was the subject of much criticism last year as the Sun Devil punt team struggled mightily in big games last year. But over the offseason Haack cleaned his game up and he's been booting the ball beautifully this season, with no better game than last night in Boulder.
Getting a rare seven shots to punt, he netted 337 yards on the night, averaging nearly 50 yards a punt. Haack hasn't had many chances to demonstrate his offseason improvement as Kelly and the offense don't give him many fourth downs. But when the offense sputters as it will against good teams, Haack is clearly more prepared to help Arizona State win the battle of field position.