Arizona State Sun Devils Football: Ugly Win Exposes Multiple ASU Flaws

Saturday night’s 41-20 victory over in-state rival Northern Arizona University may look good for Sun Devil fans, but the game was not as pretty as the score. Offensive struggles and penalties highlighted the game and left the majority of the Sun Devils’ fans scratching their heads and wondering what happened to the team they saw last week.

Since Dennis Erickson took over as coach of ASU, the Sun Devils have never ranked higher than 76th in the country in penalties. While penalties may not be anything new to Erickson’s Sun Devils, this weekend’s 13 penalties for 131 yards were the most ever by an Erickson-coached ASU team.

Erickson said he was not happy with how the team played and told the State Press the amount of penalties was “ridiculous.”

“I am beside myself on this. I’m really upset about it,” Erickson said. “We talked afterward and that is all I talked about in the team meeting. We’ve addressed them. Obviously, the bottom line is it is on me. They are not listening or whatever the case may be.”

In addition to penalties, the ASU offense was also hampered by drops and a lack of running game.

The dropped passes also occurred last week, but ASU was able to make up for it by running the ball. However against NAU, the Sun Devils averaged just 1.9 yard per carry and only gained 56 yards on the ground.

The lack of a running game forced the Sun Devils to throw the ball and rely on redshirt junior Steven Threet.

Although he threw two interceptions, Threet finished the night with 391 yards and three touchdowns through the air.

Threet struggled with his accuracy early, but played better as the game progressed.

Vontaze Burfict had his own penalty problems, but he was one of few bright sports for ASU. Burfict forced a fumble and had 11 tackles, leading a defense that limited NAU the 238 total yards.

The Sun Devils seemed to take a step back from last week’s win and have a lot of work to do this week and in the next few weeks.

If they do not improve soon, they will be embarrassed over the next three weeks in which they face No. 11 Wisconsin, No. 4 Oregon, and No. 25 Oregon State.