Key Arizona State Defensive Stats as Week 7 Approaches

Brian Ward's unit has stood up when called upon in 2025.

Sep 6, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils linebacker Keyshaun Elliott (44) reacts after a tackle during the first quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

TEMPE -- Arizona State is now in game week - the week seven duel is set to be against the physical Utah Utes.

The Sun Devil offense has received a significant amount of attention due to the presence of Sam Leavitt and Jordyn Tyson, but Brian Ward's defense deserves an ample amount of credit for the 4-1 start to the season in their own right.

Sep 26, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils linebacker Martell Hughes (18) celebrates game winning interception with teammates defensive lineman Prince Dorbah (32) defensive back Rodney Bimage Jr. (0) and linebacker Jordan Crook (8) against TCU Horned Frogs in the second half at Mountain America Stadium, Home of the ASU Sun Devils. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Reiner-Imagn Images | Jacob Reiner-Imagn Images

Arizona State on SI explores key numbers that have defined the Sun Devils' season on the defensive side of the ball below.

77

This is the total number of tackles that the linebacker duo of Keyshaun Elliott and Jordan Crook have accrued this season.

Sep 26, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils linebacker Jordan Crook (8) looks on against the TCU Horned Frogs prior to the game at Mountain America Stadium, Home of the ASU Sun Devils. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Reiner-Imagn Images | Jacob Reiner-Imagn Images

The star LB duo has consistently been praised by both head coach Kenny Dillingham and Ward. Elliott has been labeled as the strongest player on the squad by Dillingham, while Crook has been lauded for stepping up as a leader during the offseason and the massive improvements made to his game.

Ward's 4-2-5 and 4-3 defensive sets benefit greatly from having two athletic, astute, and active linebackers at starting spots.

9

Dec 7, 2024; Arlington, TX, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Keith Abney II (1) celebrates after intercepting a pass against the Iowa State Cyclones in the third quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images | Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

This is the number of turnovers that the Arizona State defense has generated this season - four interceptions and five fumble recoveries.

One of the trademarks of Ward defenses is the ability to create a substantial amount of turnovers - that trend has continued this season, as they are now on pace to generate around 20 in the regular season.

Expect even more turnovers to be created upon the return of safety Xavion Alford.

19

Arizona State defensive lineman Prince Dorbah (32) celebrates a strip sack against TCU during a game at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Sept. 26, 2025. | Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

This is the number of sacks that the Sun Devil defense has generated through five games, which placed them second in the country heading into week six games.

Prince Dorbah, Clayton Smith, Elijah O'Neal, and a balanced team effort around the three major players have resulted in a much more potent pass-rushing attack compared to 2024.

78.2

Sep 26, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils defensive lineman C.J. Fite (99) celebrates tackle for loss against Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half at Mountain America Stadium, Home of the ASU Sun Devils. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Reiner-Imagn Images | Jacob Reiner-Imagn Images

This is the amount of rushing yards per game that have been ceded by the Arizona State defense so far - which is good for 10th in the entire FBS.

The total would be even lower if not for a singular 41-yard run ceded to Bryson Washington of Baylor - which skewed the total averages a bit.

C.J. Fite, Jacob Rich Kongaika, and others have headed what has been a borderline elite run defense for the better part of a calendar year - the hope is that this will continue over the final seven games of the season.

Arizona State defensive lineman Jacob Rich Kongaika (98) puts his helmet on before a drill during the first day of fall practice in Tempe, Ariz. on July 30, 2025. | Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Read more on major takeaways from Arizona State's clutch-time victory over TCU here, and more on why Arizona State fans should be feeling confident about the outlook of the season following the win here.

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