The Associated Press
Weber State (0-0 ) at No. 19 Arizona State (0-0), 10:30 p.m. (Pac-12 Networks)
Series Record: First meeting.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Arizona State has lots of new players on defense, so facing the lower-tier Wildcats should be a nice way to get in some game action without too much stress. Weber State went 2-10 last season, including 1-7 in the Big Sky Conference, and will be playing its first game under new coach Jay Hill.
KEY MATCHUP
Weber State’s offensive line against ASU’s pressure. The Wildcats will likely try a lot of quick-hitting passes to keep the Sun Devils from harassing QB Billy Green. Sacramento State had a little success with it against Arizona State last season before the Sun Devils rolled to a rout.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Weber State: Green. The former BYU quarterback won a tight competition with sophomore Jadrian Clark. Highly recruited out of Washington state in high school, the sophomore played mainly on BYU’s scout team, seeing action in one game.
Arizona State: WR Jaelen Strong. The big, athletic receiver had a solid first season in the desert, catching 75 passes for 1,122 yards and seven TDs despite arriving late after transferring. He knows the offense better and has a great connection with QB Taylor Kelly, particularly on back-shoulder throws. Don’t be surprised if he has an even more productive season.
FACTS & FIGURES
Arizona State has forced a turnover in 29 straight games, second-longest-streak in the FBS. … Hill spent 13 seasons as an assistant coach under three coaches at Utah before being named Weber State’s head coach. … Kelly has averaged 270.8 total yards during his career, on pace to crush the school record of 216.9 by Rudy Carpenter. … The Wildcats will be playing their fifth game against one of the power five conferences and fourth against a ranked FBS team.
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