By Greg Boeck, USA TODAY
TEMPE, Ariz. — Since offensive guru Dirk Koetter arrived in the desert six years ago, Arizona State has earned a reputation as a light-up-the-scoreboard juggernaut. So where did this lights-out defense come from that has bailed out QB U twice in a 3-0 start? "By no means have we arrived," cautions veteran defensive coordinator Bill Miller. "We're a long way athletically from being where we want to be. But we are making strides."
Just how big will be determined in the next month. The Sun Devils, No. 18 in the USA TODAY Coaches' Poll, open Pacific-10 play Saturday at No. 20 California, followed by a home game against No. 12 Oregon and date at No. 2 Southern California on Oct. 14 after an off week.
"As the opponents get better, that's what counts, how you play against them," says Miller, in his second year after stints at, among other schools, Miami (Fla.), Michigan State and Florida. The four California schools are Koetter's nemeses; he's 0-10 against them on the road. "These three games, we play not only three of the best offenses in the Pac-10, but three of the best in the country, and Cal might be the best," Koetter says. "This will be a big test for our defense." So far, the defense has passed with flying colors, twice coming to the rescue of the celebrated offense. Quarterback Rudy Carpenter has passed erratically, and his unit has played inconsistently, with four turnovers and nine penalties in a 21-3 victory Saturday at Colorado.
Carpenter, who has been intercepted four times and has put up big numbers once, in a 52-21 rout of Nevada, welcomes the help. "It's not like last year and the year before when they were just trying to maintain or get off the field," says Carpenter, who won the job after a messy battle with incumbent Sam Keller in fall practice. "Now they feel like, 'Hey, the offense needs us to win, like we're the reason we're winning.' " For the first time in Koetter's reign, the defense has stepped out of the shadow of an offense annually among the nation's most potent, albeit against teams that are a combined 2-7. Now it's the defense with the lofty rankings: first in sacks (18, after totaling 22 last season), second in tackles for loss (32), eighth in interceptions (five, including two for touchdowns) and 23rd in scoring (12.7 a game).
The defense has yet to allow a rushing touchdown, but perhaps most significantly, it has allowed just seven points in the second half, an indicator of its depth. Koetter says this is the "deepest we've been" and cites defensive tackle Jordan Hill, one of 55 players who played Saturday. Last season, the senior averaged more than 60 plays a game; this year he's averaging 35. "That's got to be helping those guys stay fresh," Koetter says. They'll need help against California and Heisman Trophy candidate Marshawn Lynch. Because of a sprained ankle, he saw action on just three drives Saturday in Cal's 42-16 romp against Portland State but gained 112 yards, including a career-long 71-yard burst. Cal coach Jeff Tedford expects Lynch to be 100% Saturday, but the Sun Devils also have to contend with running back Justin Forsett, quarterback Nate Longshore and wide receivers DeSean Jackson and Lavelle Hawkins.
Cal lost its opener at Tennessee, but has 84 points in its two rebound victories. Cal's running game concerns Miller the most. "We haven't been tested yet in that area, but we're fixing to Saturday," he says. "They (the defense) believe in what we're doing, but it's like everything else. What have you done for me lately? We have to go out Saturday against the best opponent we've played and try to slow those two backs." Carpenter and the offense have to answer the bell, too. Carpenter knows all eyes are on him. Asked about his start, he says he's a "little disappointed, because I'm not used to turning the ball over as much as I have been. That's a big thing for a quarterback." So is a reliable defense.
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