Arizona State football coach Kenny Dillingham heaped praise on West Virginia’s run defense, specifically citing the efforts over the last three games, in which the Mountaineers have allowed a total of 229 yards on the ground.
“This is the No. 1 rush defense the last three weeks in our league,” Dillingham said. “They’re doing a phenomenal job stopping the run.”
The Mountaineers have not allowed more than 96 rushing yards in each of their last three contests. While that number is heavily influenced by the team’s 11 sacks over that time, it’s undeniable the ability of WVU to slow the run has factored heavily into better performances for three straight games.
Come Saturday, however, Dillingham believes what will have a large say in how successful his team is against the Mountaineers is the Sun Devils’ ability to slow the ground game when the two teams clash at 1 p.m. inside Mountain America Stadium.
To no surprise, West Virginia is more dedicated to the run than any team in the Big 12, a staple of Rich Rodriguez-coached teams through the years. The Mountaineers lead the league with 46.2 rush attempts per game, a figure rivaled only by Utah’s 45.1.
Although WVU is 13th in the conference at 3.9 yards per attempt, it’s third with 1,822 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground.
“The one thing I admire about [Rodriguez] is his teams play really hard, tough and physical,” Dillingham said. “They know who they are. They’re going to fire off the ball and double your three technique. They don’t care if they get to the backer. They’re going to put your three technique 6 yards deep.
“They have a mindset and a way to play the game that’s attacking, physical and aggressive and that starts with him. Every team you’ve ever watched him coach plays the game with that level of passion and intensity and what I admire about him is the way his teams play. Anytime people say your teams play hard and physical, that’s a win — and his teams do that.”
True freshman quarterback Scotty Fox Jr. has been a key piece of the run game since becoming the starting signal-caller for the Mountaineers’ October 18 matchup at Central Florida. Fox has 49 rushes over four starts and all but 80 of his 203 yards on the ground this season have come in the last two games.
Over the last two games, tailback Diore Hubbard has 172 of his team-high 328 rushing yards and fellow running back Cyncir Bowers has 18 carries for 98 yards.
WVU even solved some of its short-yardage woes in last week’s 29-22 victory against Colorado, utilizing bandit Curtis Jones Jr. at running back near the goal line, a move that paid off as Jones rushed for touchdowns on two of his three carries.
“I don’t know if we’ve faced a team like their scheme,” Dillingham said. “They successfully run the ball at a high rate. They threw the ball successfully last week at a high rate. This team is getting better and it shows.”
Fortunately for Dillingham, rush defense is among the Sun Devils’ best traits this season. ASU (6-3, 4-2) is surrendering an average of 123.2 yards on the ground, and the 3.7 yards per carry opponents amass leaves the Sun Devils third in the Big 12.
A somewhat consistent pass rush that’s produced 25 sacks across nine games impacts the rush defense totals, but Arizona State has made a habit of getting to the ball in a hurry.
Linebackers Keyshawn Elliott and Jordan Crook are defensive standouts and the team’s top tacklers. Elliott has 77 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and four sacks, while Crook shows 66 tackles with 7.5 TFLs and a pair of sacks.
“It’s a very athletic defense and their linebackers are guys that stand out for sure,” Rodriguez said.
ASU enters its 10th game off its second and final bye this season. Dillingham opted to have his team stay off the field last week in an effort to get a banged up bunch healthier for a stretch run.
“I hope our guys are rejuvenated and ready to go these last three weeks,” Dillingham said, “because we face a team that’s going to hit us in the face this week.”