TEMPE — Coming off their first Southeastern Conference (SEC) opponent win against the Mississippi State University Bulldogs last week, Arizona State heads east to San Marcos to play the Texas State University Bobcats. Both teams enter Thursday night’s matchup with 2-0 records in the early season.
ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham harped on the difficulty of this matchup.
“This is the best football team we’ve played,” Dillingham told reporters on Monday. “These guys play hard. You watch the tape, these guys they play with passion, they play with a chip, they’re explosive, they’re really good with the ball in their hands.”
Last season, the Bobcats went 8-5 (4-4 in the Sun Belt Conference (SBC)) and won a bowl game against Rice University. Texas State enters the contest with home wins over Lamar University (34-27) and The University of Texas at San Antonio (49-10).
Redshirt senior quarterback Jordan McCloud highlights TSU’s offense. The James Madison University transfer racked up 43 total touchdowns for the Dukes last season. Similar to ASUs redshirt freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt, McCloud proposes a dual-threat ability with 747 career rushing yards entering Thursday.
Dillingham commented on the reigning Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week’s abilities.
“In his first few games he’s efficient with the football,” Dillingham told reporters on Monday. “He can extend plays, keeps his eyes down field when he extends plays, he’s got a really really quick release.”
As for the other side, Leavitt will play in his first road game of the season. After only passing for 69 yards last week, the Sun Devils’ offense rushed the ball effectively for 346 yards on the ground. Furthermore, senior running back Cam Skattebo recorded the second-highest rushing game total in Arizona State’s history with 262 yards.
Skattebo was named the Big 12’s Offensive Player of the Week after nearly posting a 300-all purpose yard total game.
Dillingham highlighted the importance of his team helping Skattebo get the recognition he was deserving of.
“It’s a team award,” Dillingham told reporters on Monday. “Obviously he was the one who got the ball and he dominated and he played great, like we all know that. He played like a man possessed in the football game in a positive way.”
Texas State’s aggressive style of defending is something Dillingham and his staff will keep an eye out for this week. The Bobcats have posted seven sacks in two games.
Dillingham’s assessment of TSU’s defense was clear.
“They’re going to blitz and they’re going to blitz a lot on early downs,” Dillingham told reporters on Monday. “Their d-line is really athletic, they create chaos.”
However, ASU defensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo’s defense has not been one to sleep on either so far. The Sun Devils have scored three defensive touchdowns, posted six sacks and two interceptions.
Sophomore defensive lineman C.J. Fite also received recognition after his scoop-and-score fumble recovery touchdown last week. He was named the Big 12’s Beef of the Week (awarded to the most outstanding lineman each week).
All in all, Dillingham’s team has their work cut out for them as Arizona State enters a short week road game. Will ASU be up to the test against a sneaky good Texas State team on the road? Or will the Bobcats get the best of the Sun Devils, handing them their first loss of the season? Nonetheless, the game will take place at Jim Wacker Field at UFCU Stadium with kick-off set for 4:30 P.M. MST on Thursday.