No. 13 Utah big favorite on road against reeling Arizona State

TEMPE, Ariz. – Arizona State would have a troublesome activity beating No. 13 Utah this weekend even in perfect circumstances. Nothing concerning the previous week has been perfect.

The Solar Devils will play their first recreation with interim coach Shaun Aguano in cost once they host the Utes on Saturday evening. The varsity fired coach Herm Edwards on Sunday after the group’s embarrassing 30-21 loss to Japanese Michigan.

Aguano known as the chance to steer the Solar Devils a “dream” although he considers Edwards pal. Now it’s his job to assist the Solar Devils (1-2) salvage a season that’s shortly gone south, beginning with the their Pac-12 opener on Saturday.

“Our children and coaches have been by means of loads within the final 24 hours,” Aguano stated earlier this week. “My focus is the following 9 convention video games. How do I encourage these guys to play quick, bodily soccer?”

MORE: Aguano tasked with taking Arizona State in a brand new course

The Solar Devils will face a Utah group that has bounced again from a season-opening loss to Florida with consecutive lopsided wins in opposition to Southern Utah and San Diego State. The Utes (2-1) are nonetheless thought of one of many favorites to win the Pac-12 title, even after dropping to the Gators.

Utah enters the sport as a two-touchdown street favourite. Cameron Rising has accomplished 67% of his passes for 694 yards, eight touchdowns and only one interception. The Utes are additionally averaging 216.5 yards on the bottom per recreation, which leads the Pac-12.

Regardless that simply all the pieces about Saturday’s recreation appears to favor Utah, veteran coach Kyle Whittingham stays cautious of the Solar Devils.

“Arizona State has plenty of good gamers and once you take a look at movie there isn’t a scarcity of expertise,” Whittingham stated. “They’d a troublesome recreation on Saturday evening, however they’ve some guys.”

Later he added: “It’s like a wounded animal. It’s harmful. … You’re taking it with no consideration, they’ll beat you, I promise you that.”

The Utes are simply 4-7 in convention openers since becoming a member of the Pac-12.

EMORY’S PROGRESS

Arizona State quarterback Emory Jones has performed pretty effectively in his first three video games since transferring from Florida in the course of the offseason.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder has thrown for 557 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions whereas additionally operating for 3 touchdowns. He additionally has some playmakers round him: Xazavian Valladay ran for 127 yards and a landing in opposition to Japanese Michigan whereas Elijhah Badger caught seven passes for 88 yards.

TAVION’S TROUBLES

It’s been a troublesome couple weeks for Utah operating again Tavion Thomas, who Whittingham stated continues to be grieving the loss of life of an in depth member of the family.

Thomas nonetheless opted to play final weekend in opposition to San Diego State and completed with 59 yards speeding a landing.

Thomas ran for greater than 1,100 yards final season and 21 touchdowns. He’s had a barely slower begin this yr with 222 yards speeding and 4 touchdowns. He’s averaging 4.4 yards per carry.

SOELLE CAN TACKLE

Arizona State linebacker Kyle Soelle had a whopping 18 tackles in opposition to Japanese Michigan. He has 39 tackles this season, which ranks fourth within the nation.

UTAH’S RISE

Whittingham stated he was more than happy with the play of Utah’s defensive position in the course of the group’s 35-7 win over San Diego State final weekend. The Utes allowed simply 173 complete yards within the victory.

“The defensive tackles have made an impression. Junior Tafuna has actually come again in his personal,” Whittingham stated. “He began the season off a little bit sluggish however he’s now enjoying with an excessive amount of confidence and explosiveness. For those who watch the tape and deal with him, he’s dominant.”

AGUANO’S CHANCE

Aguano was born and raised in Kapaa, Hawaii, however ultimately grew to become some of the embellished highschool coaches in Arizona historical past, main Chandler Excessive to 4 state 6A titles.

Aguano joined Edwards’ workers in 2019, serving to flip the Solar Devils into one of many nation’s high speeding groups.

“We’re 0-0 in Pac-12 play and all our targets nonetheless lay forward of us and inside attain,” Aguano stated. “I nonetheless imagine on this group. Our coaches imagine on this group. And most vital of all, our gamers nonetheless imagine on this group. Because the chief of this program, I do know that I have to embrace them, coach them, mentor them, but additionally — and most significantly — love them.”

___

Extra AP faculty soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/ap_top25. Join the AP’s faculty soccer e-newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/mrxhe6f2