Stanford senior Ty Montgomery had three punt or kick returns for touchdowns coming into 2014. Halfway through this season, he already has one — a 60-yard punt return for the first Cardinal score of the season.
ASU coach Todd Graham called him the "best in the country." Nobody's disputing that, but the conjecture means the No. 17 Sun Devils have yet to face the best, even though they've performed among the worst.
The Sun Devils have given up the 11th-highest kick return average in the nation (24.8 yards) and the third-highest punt return average (18.8 yards). Luckily for ASU, its opponents have only returned six punts. Of those six, however, one has already gone for a touchdown — a 53-yard return from USC junior Nelson Agholar.
"Last week, you saw the punts weren’t as high as they needed to be, and it hurt us," sophomore punter Matt Haack said.
Sophomore punter Matt Haack punts the ball in a game against USC on Oct. 4, 2014. ASU won against USC 38-34. (Photo by Alexis Macklin)Hang time has to improve, or else the coverage on kicks and punts doesn't stand a chance, especially against dynamic return men such as Agholar and Montgomery.
The boot from Haack to Agholar lasted about 3.5 seconds in the air. His punts in practice have ranged from around that number to as high as 4.6 seconds, a respectable number, and one that allows the coverage to get into position.
"You can’t go out here and punt a 4.5 (second hang time), then have the next punt be a 3.8," Haack said. "You just have to be consistent about it.”
His strategy is as simple as practice, practice, practice — where Graham and other coaches preach the same thing: hang time. More consistency will come as Haack continues to assimilate live action. He punted 16 times last season and assumed full-time duties this season.
"I’ve had quite a few games now experience," Haack said. "I know what to expect, so yeah, (I'm feeling) pretty comfortable.”
Throughout the bye week, Graham focused on continuous improvement. He attributes much of the success any college football team has to improving throughout the season. That rings no more true than for ASU's special teams.
Stanford senior Ty Montgomery runs with the ball in a game against USC. (Photo Courtesy of The Stanford Daily)Graham continues to put a large focus on special teams, and he plays many of his offensive and defensive starters on the kick and punt units. On a young team with many areas it can improve, special teams might prove most critical, both against Stanford and for the rest of the season.
“Field position is vital every week," Graham said. "It’s big. We have to check the box ‘We won special teams.’ That’s a must. … Win special teams, you win the game.”
Three things to watch for
1. ASU defensive packages
Every year, No. 23 Stanford presents a unique offense. Not that it's anything unique to Stanford or football, but it's an offense no other team in the Pac-12 uses. This includes lots of jumbo sets with zero or one receiver and the opposite, with no true quarterback, running the Wildcat. ASU has been prepping defensive schemes to match up with the Cardinal and working in personnel not typically seen in prominent roles or working players in different roles than in ASU's base defense. With a bye week to prepare, the Sun Devils could hold an upper hand they didn't in the two match ups last season.
2. Have the Sun Devils overcome the hump?
On Tuesday, junior defensive lineman Jaxon Hood admitted the Sun Devils were a little too hyped for the two Stanford games last season. Stanford was experienced in big games, and ASU wasn't. Hood went on to say the Sun Devils are now over the hump, which he said was essentially the only reason ASU lost the two games last year.
"The Bulls had to overcome the Pistons, the Pistons had to overcome the Celtics, and that's the way it is in sports. ... I think we overcame the hump last year," Hood said, alluding to the NBA dynasties of the mid-to-late 20th century.
3. Injury watch
The Sun Devils are a banged-up team right now. Redshirt sophomore linebacker Laiu Moeakiola has hardly practiced all week, and when he has, it's been in a green no-contact jersey. Redshirt senior quarterback Taylor Kelly, as we all know, hasn't played the last two games, and his status for Saturday's showdown is still unknown. Graham said redshirt senior De'Marieya Nelson is getting healthy, and he expects big things from his tight ends for the remainder of the season. Being the physical team Stanford is, it will be interesting to see how Graham handles his players who don't have major injuries but could face setbacks if the Cardinal knock them around.
TV/radio information
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Radio: KTAR 620 AM/98.7 FM
Prediction: No. 23 Stanford 24, No. 17 ASU 17
Reach the reporter at ewebeck@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @EvanWebeck
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