The 2017 Arizona State Sun Devils football team represented Arizona State University in the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Sun Devils were led by sixth-year head coach Todd Graham and played their home games at Sun Devil Stadium. They competed as a member of the South Division of the Pac-12 Conference. They finished the season 7–6, 6–3 in Pac-12 play to finish in second place in the South Division. They were invited to the Sun Bowl where they lost to NC State.
On November 26, one day after the conclusion of the regular season, Graham and Arizona State agreed to part ways. He continued to coach the team through their bowl game.
Preseason
Coaching changes Arizona State hired Phil Bennett as defensive coordinator on January 11, 2017. Bennett was previously the defensive coordinator at Baylor University. He replaced Keith Patterson, who remained on the staff as linebackers coach.
Arizona State hired Billy Napier as offensive coordinator on January 28, 2017. Napier was previously the receivers coach at the University of Alabama. He replaced Chip Lindsey, who left to become the offensive coordinator at Auburn University.
Recruiting class
Incoming transfers Arizona State had one incoming transfer. Quarterback Blake Barnett transferred from Alabama. Barnett was eligible to play the entire 2017 season at Arizona State following an appeal to the NCAA.
Offseason departures Arizona State lost 18 players in the 2016 offseason, 13 due to graduation and 5 due to transferring or injuries. Name Number Pos. Year Notes Edmond Boateng 97 DE Senior Graduated Tramel Topps 92 DL Senior Graduated Frederick Gammage 89 WR Senior Graduated Kody Kohl 83 TE Senior Graduated Salamo Fiso 58 LB Senior Graduated Evan Goodman 57 OL Senior Graduated Stephon McCray 77 OL Senior Graduated Carlos Mendoza 7 LB Senior Graduated Laiu Moeakiola 12 LB Senior Graduated Tim White 12 WR Senior Graduated De'Chavon Hayes 1 DB Senior Graduated Eric Lauderdale 14 DB Senior Graduated Brandon Mathews 54 OL Senior Graduated Ellis Jefferson 19 WR Senior Transfer James Johnson 18 S Junior Transfer Bryce Perkins 3 QB Junior Transfer Armand Perry 13 CB Sophomore Retired due to Injuries. Kareem Orr 25 DB Sophomore transferred
Schedule Arizona State announced their 2017 football schedule on January 18, 2017. In non-conference play, the Sun Devils played former Border Conference rivals New Mexico State and Texas Tech, as well as San Diego State. In Pac-12 conference play, they played all conference members except cross-divisional foes California and Washington State.
Source: 2017 Arizona State Sun Devils Football Schedule
Game summaries
vs New Mexico State
Statistics NMSUASU First downs 27 19 Total yards 549 400 Rushing yards 30–151 40–79 Passing yards 398 321 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 40–58–2 24–30–0 Time of possession 30:20 29:40 Team Category Player StatisticsNew Mexico State Passing Tyler Rogers 40/57, 398 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT Rushing Jason Huntley 5 carries, 84 yards, TD Receiving Jaleel Scott 8 receptions, 149 yards, 2 TDArizona State Passing Manny Wilkins 22/27, 300 yards, 2 TD Rushing Kalen Ballage 18 carries, 79 yards, 2 TD Receiving John Humphrey 7 receptions, 123 yards, TD
vs San Diego State
Statistics SDSUASU First downs 14 15 Total yards 352 342 Rushing yards 43–279 31–44 Passing yards 73 298 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 9–18–0 20–33–0 Time of possession 31:43 28:17 Team Category Player StatisticsSan Diego State Passing Christian Chapman 9/18, 73 yards, TD Rushing Rashaad Penny 18 carries, 216 yards, TD Receiving Rashaad Penny 4 receptions, 38 yards, TDArizona State Passing Manny Wilkins 20/33, 298 yards, 2 TD Rushing Kalen Ballage 15 carries, 44 yards, TD Receiving Frank Darby 3 receptions, 111 yards, TD
at Texas Tech
Statistics ASUTTU First downs 27 33 Total yards 494 615 Rushing yards 44–168 29–72 Passing yards 326 543 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 27–41–0 37–50–0 Time of possession 32:29 27:31 Team Category Player StatisticsArizona State Passing Manny Wilkins 27/46, 326 yards, 3 TD Rushing Kalen Ballage 16 carries, 56 yards, TD Receiving N'Keal Harry 13 receptions, 148 yards, TDTexas Tech Passing Nic Shimonek 37/50, 543 yards, 6 TD Rushing Justin Stockton 12 carries, 47 yards Receiving Keke Coutee 12 receptions, 186 yards, TD
vs No. 24 Oregon
Statistics OREASU First downs 20 23 Total yards 401 489 Rushing yards 30–120 53–142 Passing yards 281 347 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 19–35–0 24–39–0 Time of possession 21:54 38:06 Team Category Player StatisticsOregon Passing Justin Herbert 19/35, 281 yards, 3 TD Rushing Royce Freeman 15 carries, 81 yards, TD Receiving Jake Breeland 4 receptions, 95 yardsArizona State Passing Manny Wilkins 24/39, 347 yards, TD Rushing Demario Richard 21 carries, 64 yards, TD Receiving N'Keal Harry 7 receptions, 170 yards, TD
at Stanford
Statistics ASUSTAN First downs 22 17 Total yards 409 501 Rushing yards 46–214 33–328 Passing yards 195 173 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 16–25–2 15–24–0 Time of possession 32:15 27:45 Team Category Player StatisticsArizona State Passing Manny Wilkins 15/24, 181 yards, 2 INT Rushing Demario Richard 22 carries, 80 yards, 2 TD Receiving Demario Richard 3 receptions, 57 yardsStanford Passing K. J. Costello 15/24, 173 yards, TD Rushing Bryce Love 25 carries, 301 yards, 3 TD Receiving J. J. Arcega-Whiteside 4 receptions, 63 yards, TD
vs No. 5 Washington
Statistics WASHASU First downs 14 17 Total yards 230 285 Rushing yards 31–91 32–40 Passing yards 139 245 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 17–30–0 29–41–0 Time of possession 25:05 34:55 Team Category Player StatisticsWashington Passing Jake Browning 17/30, 139 yards Rushing Myles Gaskin 14 carries, 67 yards Receiving Dante Pettis 7 receptions, 56 yardsArizona State Passing Manny Wilkins 29/41, 245 yards Rushing Demario Richard 8 carries, 23 yards Receiving N'Keal Harry 9 receptions, 79 yards
at Utah
Statistics ASUUTAH First downs 21 18 Total yards 345 265 Rushing yards 46–205 25–110 Passing yards 140 155 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 19–29–1 19–35–4 Time of possession 36:19 23:41 Team Category Player StatisticsArizona State Passing Manny Wilkins 19/29, 140 yards, INT Rushing Demario Richard 18 carries, 93 yards, TD Receiving N'Keal Harry 8 receptions, 72 yardsUtah Passing Tyler Huntley 19/35, 155 yards, 4 INT Rushing Zack Moss 12 carries, 49 yards Receiving Darren Carrington 6 receptions, 56 yards
vs No. 21 USC
Statistics USCASU First downs 29 15 Total yards 607 357 Rushing yards 46–341 30–79 Passing yards 266 278 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 19–35–0 18–31–1 Time of possession 34:03 26:57 Team Category Player StatisticsUSC Passing Sam Darnold 19/35, 266 yards, 3 TD Rushing Ronald Jones 18 carries, 216 yards, 2 TD Receiving Tyler Vaughns 6 receptions, 126 yards, 2 TDArizona State Passing Manny Wilkins 17/29, 259 yards, TD Rushing Demario Richard 15 carries, 70 yards Receiving Kyle Williams 7 receptions, 121 yards, TD
vs Colorado
Statistics COLOASU First downs 23 27 Total yards 454 583 Rushing yards 39–109 54–381 Passing yards 345 202 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 23–41–1 18–34–0 Time of possession 26:50 33:10 Team Category Player StatisticsColorado Passing Steven Montez 23/41, 345 yards, TD, INT Rushing Phillip Lindsay 23 carries, 80 yards, 2 TD Receiving Shay Fields 6 receptions, 128 yards, TDArizona State Passing Manny Wilkins 18/34, 202 yards, 2 TD Rushing Demario Richard 25 carries, 189 yards, TD Receiving N'Keal Harry 6 receptions, 81 yards, TD
at UCLA
Statistics ASUUCLA First downs 29 25 Total yards 584 573 Rushing yards 61–294 33–192 Passing yards 290 381 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 21–37–1 25–45–1 Time of possession 36:08 23:52 Team Category Player StatisticsArizona State Passing Manny Wilkins 21/37, 290 yards, TD, INT Rushing Demario Richard 21 carries, 125 yards, TD Receiving N'Keal Harry 6 receptions, 95 yards, TDUCLA Passing Josh Rosen 25/45, 381 yards, TD, INT Rushing Bolu Olorunfunmi 15 carries, 79 yards, TD Receiving Jordan Lasley 7 receptions, 162 yards, TD
at Oregon State
Statistics ASUOSU First downs 24 23 Total yards 453 375 Rushing yards 49–286 33–106 Passing yards 167 269 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 12–19–0 26–37–2 Time of possession 27:32 32:28 Team Category Player StatisticsArizona State Passing Manny Wilkins 12/19, 167 yards, 2 TD Rushing Demario Richard 17 carries, 119 yards, 3 TD Receiving N'Keal Harry 3 receptions, 68 yardsOregon State Passing Darell Garretson 26/37, 269 yards, 2 INT Rushing Ryan Nall 12 carries, 42 yards, TD Receiving Noah Togiai 5 receptions, 88 yards
vs Arizona
Statistics ARIZASU First downs 2418 Total yards 439390 Rushing yards 51–24549–227 Passing yards 194163 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 15–21–111–17–1 Time of possession 32:0727:53 Team Category Player StatisticsArizona Passing Khalil Tate11/13, 132 yards Rushing J. J. Taylor12 carries, 74 yards, TD Receiving Shawn Poindexter2 receptions, 53 yardsArizona State Passing Manny Wilkins11/17, 163 yards, 3 TD, INT Rushing Demario Richard22 carries, 165 yards, 2 TD Receiving Frank Darby1 reception, 48 yards
vs No. 24 NC State (Sun Bowl)
Statistics ASUNCST First downs 24 23 Total yards 469 482 Rushing yards 30–117 43–164 Passing yards 352 318 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 25–40–3 24–29–0 Time of possession 25:31 34:29 Team Category Player StatisticsArizona State Passing Manny Wilkins 25/40, 352 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT Rushing Demario Richard 13 carries, 50 yards Receiving N'Keal Harry 9 receptions, 142 yards, TDNC State Passing Ryan Finley 24/29, 318 yards, TD Rushing Nyheim Hines 16 carries, 72 yards, 3 TD Receiving Stephen Louis 3 receptions, 115 yards NC State running back Nyheim Hines was named MVP.
Personnel
Final roster 2017 Arizona State Sun Devils roster Quarterbacks Brady White, Sophomore Manny Wilkins, Junior Blake Barnett, Sophomore Ryan Kelley, Freshman Dillon Sterling-Cole, Sophomore Kevin Brown, Freshman
Running backs Eno Benjamin, Freshman Demario Richard, Senior Kalen Ballage, Senior Trelon Smith, Freshman Nick Ralston, Sophomore Jacom Brimhall, Senior Brandon Lamarche, Freshman
Wide receivers N'Keal Harry, Sophomore Kyle Williams, Sophomore John Humphrey, Sophomore Ryan Jenkins, Senior Jeremy Smith, Freshman Daniel Sanders-Effiong, Freshman Ryan Newsome, Sophomore Terrell Chatman, Sophomore Trent Gilbert, Sophomore Frank Darby, Freshman Tyler Eggers, Junior Trevor Russell, Freshman Andrew Noble, Freshman Curtis Hodges, Freshman Jalen Harvey, Junior Tight ends Jay Jay Wilson, Junior Frank Ogas, Senior Kyle Remo, Sophomore Mark Walton, Freshman Jared Bubak, Freshman Josh Pokraka, Junior Tommy Hudson, Sophomore Ceejhay French-Love, Junior Michael Gombert, Freshman Alexander Otero, Sophomore
Offensive lineman Zach Robertson, Sophomore Connor Humphreys, Junior Alex Losoya, Sophomore Tyson Rising, Junior Quinn Bailey, Junior Kyle Breed, Freshman Jesse Cozens, Freshman A.J. McCollum, Senior Mason Schell, Freshman Jonathan Sanchez, Freshman Michael Tate, Freshman Steven Miller, Sophomore Cade Cote, Sophomore Cohl Cabral, Sophomore Corey Stephens, Freshman Tyler McClure, Senior Sam Jones, Junior Mason Walter, Sophomore Marshal Nathe, Freshman Defensive line JoJo Wicker, Junior Tyler Johnson, Freshman George Lea, Sophomore Corey Smith, Senior Jordon Hoyt, Junior Tashon Smallwood, Senior Jamie Diaz, Sophomore Emanuel Dayries, Junior Christian Hill, Senior Renell Wren, Junior Jalen Bates, Sophomore Shannon Forman, Freshman D.J. Davidson, Freshman Dougladson Subtyl, Junior Darius Slade, Junior
Linebackers Christian Sam, Junior D.J Calhoun, Senior Koron Crump, Senior Khaylan Kearse-Thomas, Sophomore Marcus Ball, Senior Kyle Soelle, Freshman Malik Lawal, Sophomore Alani Latu, Senior Loren Mondy, Freshman Bailey Huggins, Freshman Ochuko Duke, Junior Jared Francis, Freshman Parker Higgins, Freshman Benjamin Winans, Freshman Abe Thompson, Sophomore Defensive backs Langston Frederick, Freshman Kobe Williams, Sophomore Evan Fields, Freshman