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ASU soccer’s Clayton Smith on his mindset heading into 2025 season
Arizona State soccer defensive lineman Clayton Smith explains what his staff’s mindset is at Big 12 Media Day.
- Key video games for Arizona State soccer this season embrace matchups in opposition to Baylor and rival Arizona.
- ASU’s success hinges on quarterback Sam Leavitt and a robust returning roster.
There are make-or-break video games in each season. The Arizona State Sun Devils gained each a kind of in 2024, and it proved essential as they captured their first Big 12 championship of their inaugural season in that convention.
Now comes the robust process of defending that title. And that process features a concentrate on what we imagine are — at this level, anyway — the 5 video games more likely to decide ASU’s destiny within the third yr of the Kenny Dillingham period.
Most say it’s harder to remain on the high than to get to the highest. ASU not looms because the underdog opponents would possibly look previous. Instead, coach Dillingham’s squad might be each opponent’s “big” recreation. Are the Sun Devils as much as that problem?
The phrase heard most frequently throughout Big 12 soccer media days in Texas was “parity.” That is mirrored in that 5 completely different faculties have been pegged as the favourite in numerous media preseason publications. ASU, which returns 16 starters, was amongst these.
Nine of the 16 groups return their beginning quarterback, so that appears like a place of power conference-wide. ASU, with Sam Leavitt, actually qualifies as a faculty led by an elite returning starter at QB.
The Sun Devils formally begin camp July 30 in preparation for the Aug. 30 regular-season opener in opposition to Northern Arizona at Mountain America Stadium. Big 12 play begins for ASU Sept. 20 at Baylor.
Here are these 5 most vital video games, 4 of that are in opposition to opponents ASU defeated final yr.
Sept. 20 at Baylor: This would be the Big 12 opener for each faculties. The Bears went 5-1 at house final season, the lone loss coming to Brigham Young by six factors. Baylor returns 14 starters from a staff that gained its final six video games of the common season earlier than dropping the Texas Bowl to LSU, 44-31.
While ASU quarterback Sam Leavitt has been singled out as the highest quarterback within the Big 12, one pegged Baylor senior Sawyer Robertson forward of Leavitt. Four Bears have been named to the preseason All-Big 12 staff. That quartet included working again Bryson Washington, return specialist Josh Cameron, linebacker Keaton Thomas, and punter Palmer Williams.
Oct. 11 at Utah: Utah is a staff that dominated Arizona State lately. That modified final season when ASU chalked up a 27-19 win over the nationally ranked Utes, a victory that served because the catalyst for final season’s historic run. It put ASU at 5-1 on the season and attracted nationwide consideration.
Utah is coming off an uncharacteristically dangerous season at 5-7, simply the third dropping season in Kyle Whittingham’s 20 seasons. No doubt the Utes head into the brand new marketing campaign searching for redemption. The steadiness of the beginning rotation returns, led by offensive linemen Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu, each all-conference preseason picks. Devon Dampier, a switch from New Mexico, inherits the beginning quarterback position.
Oct. 18 vs. Texas Tech: The Sun Devils come into this one searching for some payback, as they have been dealt a 30-22 loss in Lubbock final season in what was the primary convention street recreation. The Red Raiders not solely beat ASU, but in addition beat Iowa State, the opposite staff that superior to the convention title recreation. This season, Texas Tech has a tough schedule, going through ASU, Utah and Kansas State, all on the street.
The largest query mark is the offensive line, which returns only one starter. The power of the staff is the defensive position led by finish David Bailey and deal with Lee Hunter, each preseason all-conference picks.
Nov. 1 at Iowa State: Perhaps no staff on ASU’s schedule might be searching for payback greater than the Cyclones, who have been embarrassed within the Big 12 title recreation by which they misplaced to ASU 45-19. It was so lopsided that the Sun Devils pulled their starters early within the fourth quarter. This might be a street recreation in November for ASU, so there’s a good likelihood the climate parts might be an impediment. Being late within the season, it is also resume builder for the postseason.
The Cyclones went 11-3, highlighted by a 42-41 win over Miami within the Pop Tarts Bowl. Junior quarterback Rocco Becht returns, however the true expertise right here is within the secondary, led by Jontez Williams and Jeremiah Cooper. So that could possibly be an intriguing matchup in opposition to ASU’s passing offense, ignited by Leavitt and that includes vast receiver Jordyn Tyson.
Nov. 28 vs. Arizona: No, this should not be the hardest foe ASU might be going through, however it’s the rival. It’s additionally the final recreation of the common season, so it’s the Sun Devils’ final likelihood to make an impression. With all of the discuss how the College Football Playoff took form final season, that might be vital. Losing a recreation to a staff you are anticipated to beat that late within the season would kill momentum.
Arizona is pegged within the backside third of each projection, with some even having the Wildcats final. But everyone knows how a lot that issues. Quarterback Noah Fifita might be trying to bounce again from a subpar season and may have to take action with out his big-play weapon Tetairoa McMillan, a first-round NFL draft choose. Many assume the transition to a brand new offensive coordinator, Seth Doege, will assist in that regard.
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