PLAYERS TO WATCH
–RB Eno Benjamin, a Doak Walker semifinalist, is in second place in school history with 256 rushing attempts this season. He is 10 carries shy of tying Freddie Williams single-season record of 266 rushing attempts set in 1975. With Eno Benjamin’s 149 rushing yards against Oregon last week, ASU has had a 100-yard rusher in 12 of its last 16 games dating back to last year (Demario Richard with four and Benjamin with eight). Benjamin’s eight 100-plus yard performances this season ties him with Freddie Williams and Art Malone for most 100-plus yard rushing performances in a season.
–WR N’Keal Harry, a junior, has 100 all-purpose yards in each of ASU’s last five games and 100 or more receiving yards in each of the last four games. Harry has posted 663 all-purpose yards (566 receiving, 4 rushing, 103 punt returns) and a combined six touchdowns (five receiving, one punt return) in that span. Harry, who has 2,834 career receiving yards, needs just 33 receiving yards to move into third in ASU career history and just 160 to move into second.
–PK Brandon Ruiz was a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals within 40 yards against Oregon last week. He is now 23 of 24 in his career on kicks from less than 40 yards.
–QB Manny Wilkins, a fifth-year senior, has accounted for 69 touchdowns in his career (50 passing and 19 rushing). He has also accounted for at least one touchdown in all 11 games this season and in 18 straight games dating to last season. The Oregon game last week was the 11th game in Wilkins’ career in which he accounted for at least one rushing and one passing touchdown. Wilkins has 19 career rushing touchdowns as he moved within two of Mark Malone’s school record for a quarterback of 21.
SERIES HISTORY: ASU has a 41-49-1 record against archrival Arizona dating to 1899. The series has been even with a 15-15-1 record dating to 1987. The home team in the series has won the past five games.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “We fell a little short. That’s how it’s been for us. Lost games by one score. Win a couple more of those and we’re not in this position. It’s the way the cards have been dealt. That’s football.” — ASU coach Herm Edwards after his team’s 31-29 loss at Oregon last week.
