Arizona State football by the numbers

The second half of the 2023 Arizona State football season has officially begun. Last night the Sun Devils took on the No.5 Washington Huskies in a tightly contested defensive battle. Unfortunately for Kenny Dillingham and Co. Arizona State fell short. Despite not giving up an offensive touchdown, to one of the best offenses in college football, ASU lost 15-7.

ASU is now 1-6 overall on the 2023 campaign and still winless in PAC 12 play.

Despite their record, the statistics on the season paint a more accurate picture of the true quality of this team.

Let’s take a look at some of those numbers.

Arizona State football 2023 season by the numbers

The offense:

It’s no secret that the offense has not been up to par this season due to the number of injuries. Despite the lack of points being scored, Dillingham has remained steady in his play call and his aggressiveness on fourth downs.

• Third down conversion rate – tied for 110th(33%)
• Fourth down conversion rate – tied for 73rd(48%)
• Completion percentage – 96th(57.6%)
• Total penalties –46th (44 penalties – 11 spot improvement after UW game)
• Penalty yards per game – 63rd (53.5 yards)
• First down offense – 103rd (131 total first downs)
• Fumbles lost – tied for 85th (five fumbles lost)
• Interceptions thrown – tied for 108th (nine thrown)
• Passing offense – 47th (249 yards per game)
• Passing yards per completion – 98th (11 yards per completion)
• Red zone offense – 70th (84.6% – were 18^th prior to UW game)
• Rushing offense – 121st (93.7 yards per game)
• Scoring offense – Tied 124th (17points-per-game)
• Team passing efficiency – 119th (111.43)
• Sacks allowed – 114th (22 total)
• Tackles for loss allowed – Tied 97th (46 total, or 6.5 per game)
• Time of possession – 45th (30 minutes per game – up from 82nd after UW game)
• Total offense – Tied for 100^th (343 yards per game)

A lot of ugly numbers there for the Sun Devil offense.

The defense:

On the other hand, Brian Ward has turned this defense into one of the best in the PAC-12. Their numbers may not be super flashy but their effect on the quarterbacks has been much greater this season.  In their last game against Heisman hopeful Michael Penix Jr. and Washington they did not allow a single offensive touchdown. The Huskies have not gone a game without a touchdown in nearly three seasons while winning.

• Third down defense – 68th (38.2%)
• Fourth down conversion defense – tied for 123rd (75%)
• First down defense – 35th (128 first downs given up – up 25 spots after UW game)
• Fumble recoveries – 77th (three fumble recoveries)
• Interceptions –Tied 125th (Two interceptions)
• Passing yards allowed per game – 68th (225 yards per game)
• Red zone defense – 77th (85.2%)
• Rush defense – 21st (105 rushing yards per game – up 24 spots)
• Scoring defense – 78th (26 points per game – up 8 spots)
• Team pass efficiency on defense – 54th(127.35 – up 14 spots)
• Sacks per game – Tied for 36th (2.5 per game)
• Team tackles for loss per game – Tied for 51st (6.1 per game – down 10 spots)
• Total defense – 34th (332 yards per game – up 7 spots)

Special Teams:

• Net Punting – 119^th(35.65  per punt)
• Blocked kicks allowed – Tied 125^th (3 total)

Despite the loss against Washington, these numbers show the team is making vast improvements through the course of the season.

“Once we figure out how to win we are going to be a dangerous team,” head coach Kenny Dillingham told the media after the Washington loss.

Let’s see what type of numbers the Sun Devils can put up next week when they host the Washington State Cougars in Tempe.

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