2 weeks Ago
Texas Tech hopes to move to 2-1 on the season with a win over Arizona State on Saturday at Jones AT&T Stadium as Big 12 play kicks off for the Red Raiders . The Red Raiders begin the conference portion of their schedule at home as a new Big 12 foe comes to town in the Arizona State Sun Devils. Second-year coach Kevin Dillingham was given a tall task last year in rebuilding the program after the dismissal of Herm Edwards amid recruiting violations and NCAA sanctions.
Patrick Breen/The Republic/USA Today Network Dillingham got the Sun Devils to 3-9 with wins over UCLA, Washington State and Southern Utah. So far in 2024, Dillingham has worked magic in Tempe with a 3-0 record and wins over Wyoming, Mississippi State and Texas State. The young ASU coach is young and offensive-minded but still has enough of a defense to be competitive in 2024.
Between Dillingham and offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo, there's a lot of coaching talent in Tempe, and that's eventually going to be manifested with big plays. But the offensive line had to be better than it was in 2023 and it has been. Let's take a look at three key offensive players who could give the Red Raiders' defense trouble on Saturday.
QB Sam Leavitt Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK Leavitt transferred to Arizona State after one season with the Michigan State Spartans where he completed 15 of 23 passes for 139 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in part-time play in 2023. In 2023 as the Sun Devils' starter, he's racked up 573 yards on 43 of 72 passing with three touchdowns and one interception. RB Cam Skattebo © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK Skattebo has been one of the top backs in the nation in 2024 with 373 yards on 68 carries and three touchdowns across three games.
He's averaging 5.5 yards per carry behind a line that struggled mightily last season but has been better this year. The Red Raiders have struggled against the run this year and are outside the top 100 in rushing yards allowed per game in 2024.
WR Jordyn Tyson © Owen Ziliak/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK Tyson returns after missing part of last season with a knee injury and has quickly become one of Leavitt's favorite targets. His emergence has become key to the success of the Sun Devils' offense under Dillingham in a wideout room that lost Elijhah Badger to the transfer portal and has Xavier Guillory still slowed due to an injury last season. Related: Red Raiders in the NFL Week 2 Recap: Mahomes Wins on Final Play Again Bookmark Red Raider Review for news, commentary & opinion all season.
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