What does Jordyn Tyson’s impending absence mean for the Sun Devils offense?

TEMPE, Ariz. — Wednesday morning’s practice ended with disappointing news for the Arizona State Sun Devils. Head coach Kenny Dillingham announced that ASU would be without star junior receiver Jordyn Tyson for its game on Saturday against Houston.

Tyson left the game briefly in the third quarter of the Sun Devils’ 26-22 upset over the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Despite the injury, Tyson reentered the game and scored a pivotal touchdown for ASU on the same drive. Later in the game, Tyson brought in a huge 33-yard catch and run on 4th and 2 late in the fourth quarter, setting up the eventual game-winning touchdown.

The injury comes at an especially inconvenient time for the Sun Devils. Saturday’s opponent, the Houston Cougars, sit just outside the AP Top 25 with 34 points.

The Cougars are tied with the Sun Devils for third place in the current Big 12 standings, each with one conference loss.

What will ASU’s offense look like without Tyson?

Now, sophomore quarterback Sam Leavitt will have to work with the rest of his receiver room to make up for the absence of the Big 12’s receiving yards leader. Tyson has caught just under 45 percent of Leavitt’s completions so far this season.

Last season, when ASU was without Tyson, it was graduate receiver Melquan Stovall who stepped up as a top pass-catching option for Leavitt.

Stovall recorded four catches for 94 yards in the Big 12 Championship game against the Iowa State Cyclones. One of those was a massive catch and run on a fourth down early in the game that set the tone for the ASU offense.

Saturday, it may be sophomore receiver Jaren Hamilton’s turn.

It may be time for Hamilton to break out

Hamilton only caught the ball three times in the victory over Texas Tech, but accumulated 101 yards in the limited opportunities, as well as drawing a key pass interference call.

“Every week we are building and grinding,” Hamilton said. “I don’t ever want to take a step back one week and do less the next week. I’m always grinding, try to stay consistent, and try to go up.”

Coming into the matchup, it had been a frustrating season for Hamilton.

Despite his first official reception coming in the Friday night game against TCU back on Sept. 26, Hamilton had three touchdowns called back because of penalties.

Now, Hamilton will be one of the main pass-catchers that Leavitt will lean on in Tyson’s absence.

Tyson isn’t the only big name who may not be suiting up Saturday. Dillingham also said that senior safety Myles Rowser, sophomore safety Adrian Wilson, and senior linebacker Jordan Crook will be listed as questionable.

“I told the guys, nobody cares,” Dillingham said. “We got to get guys healthy, we got to work to get healthy, and we got to get out there, fight and compete.”

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