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Arizona State Football: Report card for upset win over Cal in Week 5

By Dante Pryor

BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Jayden Daniels #5 of the Arizona State Sun Devils warms up prior to the start of an NCAA football game against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium on September 27, 2019 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Jayden Daniels #5 of the Arizona State Sun Devils warms up prior to the start of an NCAA football game against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium on September 27, 2019 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 27: Christopher Brown Jr. #34 of the California Golden Bears scores on a one yard touchdown run against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the third quarter of an NCAA football game at California Memorial Stadium on September 27, 2019 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 27: Christopher Brown Jr. #34 of the California Golden Bears scores on a one yard touchdown run against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the third quarter of an NCAA football game at California Memorial Stadium on September 27, 2019 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Defense

The defense was outstanding against Cal. They were helped by the Chase Garbers injury, but they began to make adjustments and dial-up the pressure before he got hurt. In fact, he got hurt because he was flushed from the pocket and forced to run. The Arizona State defense is the reason they will have a punchers chance in every game this year.

Defensive Line: B+

The defensive line was outstanding in this game with three sacks and five tackles for loss. They stymied the Cal running game yielding a paltry 2.7 yards per carry. The Sun Devils’ defensive line stalemated the Bears offensive line all night. They forced Garbers and backup Devon Modster off of their spots all game long.

Linebackers: A-

Along with the defensive line, the linebackers did a wonderful job against the run, and did well getting to the quarterback. They mixed pressures and were solid when dropping back into coverage. The most important thing the linebackers did was get guys on the ground when they had an opportunity to; they didn’t miss many tackles.

Secondary: B

Garbers was burning this group early in the game, but they get a B for making really good adjustments, and playing without some key members of the secondary. When Garbers left the game with a shoulder injury, the secondary coverages seemed to confuse back up quarterback Devon Modster, and he had issues completing passes all night.

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Special Teams: C+

Despite the fact that place kicker Christian Zendejas missed two field goals in this game, it wasn’t a bad night for the Sun Devils’ special teams. Brandon Aiyuk had a decent day returning kicks, but it was their own kick coverage that gets top marks. On touchbacks, the ball comes out to the 25-yard line, so if a kickoff is returned, the coverage team’s goal is to tackle short of the 25. California averaged 17 yards per return.

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