|
WR
Daryl Lightfoot |
|
|
Coach:
Dirk Koetter
12-13,
2 years |
2002
Record: 8-6
|
|
at
Nebraska |
LOST
10-48 |
EASTERN
WASHINGTON |
WON
38-2 |
CENTRAL
FLORIDA |
WON
46-13 |
at
San Diego State |
WON
39-28 |
STANFORD |
WON
65-24 |
NORTH
CAROLINA |
LOST
35-38 |
OREGON
STATE |
WON
13-9 |
at
Oregon |
WON
45-42 |
WASHINGTON |
WON
27-16 |
at
Washington State |
LOST
22-44 |
CALIFORNIA |
LOST
38-55 |
at
Southern Cal |
LOST
13-34 |
at
Arizona |
WON
34-20 |
HOLIDAY
BOWL
|
Kansas
State |
LOST
27-34 |
|
2002 Final Rankings
AP-UR, Coaches-UR, BCS-UR
|
2003
Outlook
|
Even
with the departure of their two top players,
the Sun Devils have enough talent to make
a run at Pasadena. With sixteen returning
starters and a roster full of savvy veterans,
Arizona State is primed for one of their
most successful seasons in years.
Leading
the way will be preseason All-American candidate
QB Andrew Walter. Though he will be without
his favorite target (Shaun McDonald), he
has the poise and talent to lead the Sun
Devils near the top of the Pac-10. Whether
or not the jump to the top of the conference
is made will depend heavily on the defense.
Seven starters do return, but they will
have to improve without Terrell Suggs. The
LB corps will make or break this defense,
just as the OL's run production will make
or break the offense.
Testing
the will of this veteran team will be a
brutal schedule rivaling that of any other
in the country. Early season trips to Iowa
and Oregon State, followed by home games
against Southern Cal and Oregon, give the
Sun Devils four bowl-opponents and two BCS
teams in their first five games. Their fate
will be set by this time. Even emerging
with one competitive loss should place this
team into the Top 15.
While
a tough schedule and the daunting task of
replacing two of the conference's top players
loom waiting, Head Coach Dirk Koetter and
the Sun Devils can be a/the team to watch
in the Pac-10. A strong returning class
and a hint of carried-over optimism have
fans in Tempe hoping to at least smell the
roses. Look for a repeat flow of 2002, with
a shaky start and an even stronger finish.
Projected
2003 record: 9-3
|
|
|
OFFENSIVE
MVP
QB Andrew Walter
|
DEFENSIVE
MVP
LB Jamar Williams
|
TOP
NEWCOMERS
LB Justin Burks
|
|
|
|
ARIZONA
STATE
*POWER RATINGS
|
Offense
|
Defense
|
QB
- 4.5 |
DL
- 4 |
RB
- 3 |
LB
- 2.5 |
WR
- 4 |
DB
- 4 |
OL
- 4.5 |
.. |
|
RETURNING
LEADERS
|
Passing:
Andrew Walter, 483-247-15, 3877 yds., 28
TD's
Rushing: Cornell Canidate, 130 att.,
493 yds., 7 TD's
Receiving: Daryl Lightfoot, 40 rec.,
552 yds., 2 TD's
Scoring: Hakim Hill, 9 TD's, 54 pts.
Punting: Tim Parker, 79 punts, 42.7
avg.
Kicking: none
Tackles: Jason Shivers, 121 tot.,
66 solo
Sacks: Jimmy Verdon, 4 sacks; Nick
Johnson, 4 sacks
Interceptions: Brett Hudson, 4 for
66 yds.
Kickoff returns: Hakim Hill, 32 ret.,
21.9 avg.
Punt returns: Daryl Lightfoot, 22
ret., 7.2 avg.
|
|
|
P
Tim Parker |
|
|
|
ARIZONA
STATE |
|
|
OFFENSE
- 9
|
----RETURNING
STARTERS----
|
DEFENSE
- 7
|
|
KEY
LOSSES
|
OFFENSE:
Mike Pinkard-TE, Mike Barth-K, Shaun McDonald-WR
(NFL) |
DEFENSE:
Mason
Unck-LB, Solomon Bates-LB, Josh Amobi-LB,
Alfred Williams-S, Terrell Suggs-DE (NFL) |
|
|
|
2003
OFFENSE
|
With
nine starters returning to this lethal offense,
the Arizona State Sun Devils will field one of
the more potent attacks in the entire country.
It all starts under center. Junior QB Andrew Walter
will look to improve upon his impressive sophomore
season, and start his All-American campaign in
Tempe. As a first year starter, his 3,877 yards
passing and 28 TDs ranked him 2nd in the Pac-10and
ASU 19th in all I-A. He topped the 400-yard mark
four different times. He is a gritty young quarterback
and his laudable performance against the dominant
Kansas State defense in last season's Holiday
Bowl epitomizes the aggressive attitude that this
Sun Devil offense still employs.
The
return of all five offensive linemen adds to this
promise. Seniors Regis Crawford, Tim Fa'aita and
Tony Aguilar will anchor this battle-tested group
and provide vital leadership. Junior guard Drew
Hodgdon played well and will be a key performer
on the inside of the line. Rounding out the group
will be sophomore Chaz White. He will be the lone
underclassman on a line full of veteran leaders.
Running was an offensive challenge - their work
is well cut out after only earning 2.5 yards-per-carry.
How this bunch performs on the ground against
the elite teams in the conference will dictate
how successful this offense will be, and therefore
the entire team.
Finding
a go to receiver will be a top offseason priority.
The loss of steady TE Mike Pinkard also leaves
a void. Pinkard was one of Walter's favorite downfield
targets and, like McDonald, he was a reliable
threat to score. How Walter reacts with his two
favorite targets gone is a legitimate concern
and one that Arizona State will have to address.
At wide receiver, Daryl Lightfoot, Skyler Fulton
and Derek Hagan top the returning crew. Walter's
three young receivers each caught 30 or more passes,
but none play at McDonald's level. The headliner
is Lightfoot. Despite not playing in a couple
of games, his 85-yard touchdown reception was
their longest offensive play of 2002. He is a
speedster and, though undersized, he has the ability
to break a game wide open at anytime. Fulton is
a possession-type receiver who runs routes well
with even surer hands. He and Hagan will try to
replace the departed McDonald by committee.
Complimenting
the passing game will be a ground attack that
returns their top three rushers. The trio of Mike
Williams, Cornell Canidate and Hakim Hill combined
for the nation's 111th ranked ground game. In
2002, teams were surprised by State, not a luxury
this campaign. They could throw enough to compensate
for this running lull. Williams has been a steady
runner throughout his career, but he will have
to become more intimately involved in carrying
the offense when needed. Sophomore Hakim Hill
is a great receiver as well, and his flexibility
makes him a dual threat. While the Sun Devil offense
was most effective through the air in 2002, the
return of these three rushers, combined with the
return of two-year starter Mike Karney at fullback,
ensures that the ground game will be a more integral
part of the offense in 2003.
|
|
QB
Andrew Walter
|
ARIZONA
STATE 2003 OFFENSE
Returning Starters in bold
|
OFFENSE
|
QB |
Andrew
Walter-Jr |
Chad
Christensen-So |
FB |
Mike
Karney-Sr |
Mike
Talbot-So |
TB |
Mike
Williams-Sr |
Cornell
Canidate-Fr |
WR |
Daryl
Lightfoot-Jr |
Derek
Hagan-So |
WR |
Skyler
Fulton-Sr |
Matt
Miller-So |
TE |
Lee
Burghgraef-So |
Aaron
Austin-Jr |
OT |
Chaz
White-So |
Andrew
Carnahan-Fr |
OG |
Tim
Fa'aita-Sr |
Adrian
Ayala-Jr |
C |
Drew
Hodgdon-Jr |
Tony
Aguilar-Sr |
OG |
Regis
Crawford-Sr |
Zach
Krula-Fr |
OT |
Grayling
Love-So |
Stephen
Berg-Fr |
K |
Jessie
Ainsworth-Fr |
Tim
Parker-Sr |
|
|
2003
DEFENSE
|
After
allowing nearly 30 points per game in 2002, the
Sun Devil defense will look to improve their 57th
ranked total defense. With experience under their
belt, the seven returning starters look to improve
with added depth in both the secondary and along
their defensive line.
Leading
the way will be the secondary, where the Sun Devils'
top four corners return and leading tackler Jason
Shivers returns at free safety. Accounting for
121 tackles, 3 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles
and 3 fumble recoveries, Shivers was one of the
silent leaders of the 2002 defense. He is a tackling
machine who excels at stopping the run, too. He
will have to take on an even larger load this
season. R.J. Oliver, the team's top cover-corner,
led the team with 18 pass breakups and added four
interceptions as a sophomore. He is an emerging
star and should be a key ingredient to supply
the synergy of team play. Both players should
challenge for All-Conference honors in 2003. JUCO
transfer Brett Hudson is a playmaker at safety.
After playing 2002, his first season of Division
I football, he will now be even more of a threat.
Sophomore Matt Fawley will man the other safety
spot; he has star potential. Versatile Reccardo
Stewart returns as well, and adds more experience
to a talented Sun Devil secondary.
Three
starters return along the defensive line for Arizona
State and should form a strong front four. Jimmy
Verdon is a steady presence at defensive end,
and, with the omission of Terrell Suggs, becomes
a valuable asset. While depth and experience at
linebacker are almost non- existent, Jamal Williams
looks to be a potential star. Junior college All-American
Justin Burke will help as well.
The
obvious concern is how to replace first team All-American,
also Lombardi and Nagurski award winner, Terrell
Suggs. He led the nation with 24 sacks and was
the heart and soul of the defense. Replacing his
pass rushing ability and intimidating presence
will be impossible. While LBs Soloman Bates and
Mason Unck didn't receive the hype that Suggs
did, their importance to the team was as significant.
They left, too. Their departure, combined with
that of reserve LB Josh Amobi, removes all experienced
depth and leaves ASU very thin at linebacker.
The Sun Devils' 4-2-5 basic defensive scheme will
give the young linebackers time to develop, but
in a league as fast-paced as the Pac-10, they
better grow up quickly. The departure of safety
Alfred Williams doesn't help. One idea - until
the LBs are sure of themselves, an extra floating
DB like Shavers should permanently commit to the
box for help.
|
|
FS
Jason Shivers
|
ARIZONA
STATE 2003 DEFENSE
Returning Starters in bold
|
DEFENSE
|
DE |
Jimmy
Verdon-Jr |
Rickey
Parker-Fr |
DT |
Brian
Montesanto-Sr |
Gabe
Reininger-Jr |
DT |
Shane
Jones-Sr |
Ali
Likio-Fr |
DE |
Nick
Johnson-So |
Connor
Banks-Jr |
LB |
Jamar
Williams-So |
Barton
Hammit-So |
LB |
Justin
Burks-Jr |
Jordan
Hill-Fr |
CB |
R.J.
Oliver-Jr |
Mike
Davis-So |
CB |
Josh
Golden-So |
Emmanuel
Franklin-Jr |
S |
Riccardo
Stewart-Jr |
Joey
Smith-So |
S |
Brett
Hudson-Sr |
Lamar
Baker-So |
FS |
Jason
Shivers-Jr |
Matt
Fawley-So |
P |
Tim
Parker-Sr |
.. |
|
|
|
2003
SPECIAL TEAMS
|
Punter
Tim Parker was among the best in the conference. His 42.7-yard
(36.1 team net) average helped ASU win the field-position
battle. He will be a key weapon who can also place-kick.
Hakim Hill, Daryl Lightfoot and Josh Golden should be
the top kick returners. They give the Sun Devils three
legitimate threats on special teams. Coverage was decent
in 2002, something that may change if the kicking game
doesn't produce.
Finding
a replacement for kicker Mike Barth will be crucial.
Nobody on the ASU roster, besides Parker, returns with
any kicking experience. Something has to give here -
State will lose games due to special team's deficiencies
if these areas are not tightened up by fall.
|
|
The offensive line has a comfortable amount
of depth, as seven players are vying for
starting positions. The Sun Devils may be
able to rotate linemen in throughout the
course of a game, which will keep them fresh
and keep Andrew Walter off his back
Hakim Hill was suspended indefinitely for
violating team rules and it is unknown as
to when (or if) he will return. With his
loss, and starter Mike Williams splitting
time between RB and WR, redshirt freshman
Randy Hill got a load of carries at tailback.
Hill gives the Sun Devils a third capable
back and will get the call (alternating
with Candidate) when Williams shifts out
wide. Speaking of those out wide, Skyler
Fulton has established himself as the top
threat this spring. He is a physical receiver
with the jets to spread the secondary. Fellow
receivers Matt Miller and Terry Richardson
have been pleasant surprises this spring
Koetter is very excited at the depth at
TE, as the Sun Devils have four guys with
the ability to start- namely Jamaal Lewis.
With injuries keeping some of the D-linemen
out of drills, backups Gabe Reininger and
Ricky Parker have stepped up and proved
they will be valued contributors this fall.
Speaking of D-linemen, take note of this:
DE Nick Johnson is a STUD! He is bigger
and stronger than Suggs and once his raw
athletic talents are finely cultivated,
he will be an All-American. Expect him to
breakout this season. Overall, the Sun Devils
have one of the best front lines in the
Pac-10, despite losing Terrell Suggs. Don't
expect too much of a drop-off from this
group
The new linebackers, Williams
and Burks, had impressive spring showings
and are better fit for the aggressive 4-2-5
style the Sun Devils like to run. Look for
these two to etch themselves into the national
eye and set up for accolades next season.
They have depth behind them as well. As
much as the offense is publicized, the defense
may be equally as good this season.
The hopes are for incoming freshman Jessie
Ainsworth to nail down the placement chores,
but he will be given a stiff running by
Parker, who impressed with field goal work
this spring. On returns, ASU will send back
Shivers, Canidate and Randy Hill on kick-offs,
with Golden and Lightfoot taking back punts.
|
|
|
|
|
|