Pac-12 South lead at stake when Sun Devils, Bruins clash
By The Associated Press - Sep. 30, 2021 04:15 PM EDT
Arizona State defensive back Jordan Clark (1) deflects a pass intended for Colorado State wide receiver Dimitri Stanley (14) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept 25, 2021, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Arizona State defensive back Jordan Clark (1) deflects a pass intended for Colorado State wide receiver Dimitri Stanley (14) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept 25, 2021, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
UCLA wide receiver Kyle Philips (2) celebrates after catching a pass for a touchdown in front of Stanford safety Kendall Williamson (21) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Stanford, Calif. UCLA won 35-24. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
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Arizona State (3-1, 1-0 Pac-12) at No. 20 UCLA (3-1, 1-0), Saturday at 10:30 p.m. EDT (FS1).

Line: UCLA by 3 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Series record: UCLA leads 22-14-1.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

The winner will become the heavy favorite to win the Pac-12 South. Both the Sun Devils and Bruins bounced back from non-conference losses with comprehensive wins last Saturday, as UCLA picked up a 35-24 victory at Stanford while Arizona State had a 35-13 romp over Colorado. All but one of the past five games in the series have been decided by a one-score margin.

KEY MATCHUP

Arizona State’s offense against UCLA S Qwuantrezz Knight. The Sun Devils have a variety of productive options at running back, and they’ll get sophomore DeaMonte Trayanum back after missing the past three games because of a sprained ankle. Trayanum averaged 5.9 yards per carry and scored four touchdowns last season, and the bruising 235-pounder could be what it takes to crack the best run defense in the Pac-12. The Bruins are allowing 2.43 yards per carry and 63.75 yards rushing per game, with Knight accounting for 4 1/2 tackles for loss.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Arizona State: QB Jayden Daniels threw an interception, lost a fumble after a botched exchange at the goal line and was sacked five times in a 25-18 loss to the Bruins last season. UCLA has been vulnerable to the pass, allowing a Pac-12 worst 330.3 yards per game.

UCLA: QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson played through an injury against the Cardinal, passing for 251 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for 30 yards and two touchdowns. The big play has been Thompson-Robinson’s strength as his average of 10.3 yards per pass attempt is tied for fourth in the FBS. He has 10 pass plays of at least 35 yards, including two 75-yard touchdowns.

FACTS & FIGURES

UCLA coach Chip Kelly is 6-1 in his career against Arizona State. The lone loss came in his first season with the Bruins in 2018. … Sun Devils RB Rachaad White leads the team in rushing yards (262) and receiving yards (187). … UCLA has outscored its opponents 45-9 in the first quarter. … Arizona State has rushed for at least 150 yards in nine consecutive games. … The Bruins have scored at least 35 points in each of their past six games, dating to last season.

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