Arizona State Football: 3 Takeaways From Sun Devils Blowout Win

3 of 4

TEMPE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 01: Defensive back Chase Lucas #24 of the Arizona State football program celebrates after sacking quarterback quarterback D.J. Gillins #15 of the UTSA Roadrunners (not pictured) in the first half at Sun Devil Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

Chase Lucas, Defense Look Legit

Let me start by saying that I know it was only UTSA.

And that I know the competition only gets better from here.

More from Heat Waved

But man, the Arizona State defense looked confident out there on Saturday night, specifically sophomore Chase Lucas.

Lucas, a guy who I believe has a lot of Sunday football in his future, was a consistent thorn in the side of UTSA through the air and also chipped in with some timely blitzes. Late in the second quarter, Lucas picked up his first-ever sack on a crucial third down that pretty much iced the game for the Sun Devils. Manny Wilkins threw a touchdown two minutes later to go up by four touchdowns and I’m sure a large part of the audience collectively changed the channel to something more competitive.

Including the sack by Lucas, the Sun Devils finished with nine sacks in the game. Junior Darius Slade and freshman D.J. Davidson each had two sacks apiece.

In total, Arizona State’s defense allowed just 220 yards — almost half of their 2017 average (427). Only two of them came on the ground, as the Sun Devils held UTSA to an absurd 0.1 yards per carry average. Additionally, the only touchdown they allowed was in garbage time.

One bummer that comes to mind was the targeting penalty and disqualification by receiver-turned-safety Jalen Harvey. He’s new to the position so it’s understandable, you just would have liked the senior to get some more live reps at his new position in Week 1.

Home/Arizona State Sun Devils