Offense: RB Marion Grice (Sr.)
Another stretch-run game in the Pac-12, another marquee running back set to take on UCLA. After taking on top-10 rushers Ka’Deem Carey and Bishop Sankey in consecutive weeks, the Bruins draw the nation’s second highest scorer, without consideration for passing touchdowns, in the nation: running back Marion Grice. The senior owns 20 touchdowns on the season, striking paydirt 14 times from rushes and six times via receptions in accounting for 120 of the Sun Devils’ 423 total points.
Arizona State isn’t simply force-feeding Grice short check-down passes in the red zone. The running back’s six scores through the air appear completely by design: All six of his receiving touchdowns on the season feature either the running back taking a screen pass to the house or hauling in a pass deep down field.
UCLA knows Grice’s propensity to find the end zone well. Last year’s 45-43 victory saw the Bruins withstand two Grice touchdowns through the air and another on the ground. Though UCLA held Grice to just 3.7 yards per carry, coach Jim Mora stated earlier in the season that he couldn’t care less about yards compared to points. A repeat hat-trick by Grice against a defense surrendering 23.7 points per game would likely be a disappointment for the Bruins.
Defense: DT Will Sutton (RS Sr.)
Last season, the Bruins lucked out.
They faced a stout Arizona State front seven, one that compiled the second-most sacks in all of college football during the 2012-2013 season, but it didn’t include Will Sutton.
A 6-foot-1-inch, 305-pound defensive tackle, Sutton made Pac-12 quarterbacks hurt to the tune of 13 total sacks last season. None of those quarterbacks, however, were named Brett Hundley.
Sutton’s statistics this season have been a bit deceiving. Through 10 games, he has just two sacks to his name, but the result is not indicative of a dip in athletic prowess. Rather, teams have learned from their quarterbacks’ bruises and have double and sometimes even triple-teamed Sutton at the line to prevent him from gaining a clear path to the backfield.
As the reigning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, Sutton’s game film has been more impressive to coach Jim Mora each time he watches it.
“We’re getting a healthy Will Sutton and he’s a dynamite player,” Mora said. “I try to compare him to some of the greats I’ve seen in the NFL and he’s got John Randle-type explosiveness. He’s got Warren Sapp-type pass rush ability.”
The former NFL head coach also projects a very successful draft ranking for Sutton, and said that the Bruins are somewhat disappointed – with Sutton coming into town – that the NFL draft isn’t until May.
“He’s absolutely for sure a first-round pick,” Mora said. “He’s an impact player, big time.”
Compiled by Andrew Erickson and Emilio Ronquillo, Bruin Sports senior staff.