Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here
Otherwise, follow the link below to join.
To Our Valued Readers –
Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.
For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.
Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.
Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.
Need to set up your free e-Newspaper all-access account? click here.
Non-subscribers
Click here to see your options for becoming a subscriber.
Register to comment
Click here create a free account for posting comments.
Note that free accounts do not include access to premium content on this site.
I am anchor
NCAA Football
No. 18 Arizona State faces high-powered Washington State
Posted
The Associated Press
Here's what you need to know as Arizona State University and Washington State University prepare to throw down in Tempe, Arizona.
Who: Washington State (3-2, 0-2 Pac-12) at No. 18 Arizona State (5-1, 1-1), Saturday at 3:30 p.m. EDT (Pac-12 Network).
Line: Arizona State by 1 1/2.
Series record: Arizona State leads 17-5-2.
WHAT'S AT STAKE?
Arizona State is hoping to avoid the same fate it suffered after joining the AP Top 25 earlier this season. The Sun Devils moved into the rankings after beating Michigan State on the road, but lost the following week to Colorado. Washington State is looking for its first Pac-12 win after rolling through its nonconference schedule. The Cougars are coming off a bye week.
KEY MATCHUP
Arizona State's secondary vs. Washington State's passing game. The Sun Devils have some good athletes on the back end of their defense, but the Cougars put pressure on teams no matter how many quality players their opponent has. Washington State senior quarterback Anthony Gordon leads the nation with 2,146 passing yards, is second with 22 touchdowns and has spread it around to 11 different receivers. Arizona State will have safety Cam Phillips (dislocated elbow) back, but the Sun Devils will not doubt be tested by an offense that scores nearly 45 points per game.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Washington State: WR Easop Winston Jr. The senior is not only Gordon's favorite target with a team-leading 28 receptions, he's also Washington State's top TD receiving producer with eight, good for fourth nationally.
Arizona State: QB Jayden Daniels. The first freshman to start a Sun Devils' opener at QB has handled the spotlight well. Daniels has made good decisions and been productive through the air and with his legs, accounting for 1,422 yards and seven TDs.
FACTS & FIGURES
Arizona State has scored at least 10 points in 124 consecutive games, the FBS' longest active streak and second-longest in the modern era, behind Louisiana Tech's 125 games from 2008-18. ... Washington State is fourth in total offense at 546.8 per game. ... The Sun Devils have forced a turnover in 11 straight games. ... The Cougars lead the Pac-12 with seven fumble recoveries.
