Arizona State (2-0) is going up against Texas State (2-0) on Thursday in a game broadcasted on ESPN. Arizona State is favored to win by 1 1/2 points, with this being the first meeting between the two teams. This game holds significance as Arizona State plays their final non-conference game before heading into their first Big 12 schedule, aiming to maintain their undefeated record. On the other side, Texas State sees this as an opportunity to showcase their talent and potential with a victory on national television.
A critical matchup to watch is between Arizona State’s defensive front and Texas State’s agile and versatile quarterback Jordan McCloud. McCloud, a transfer from James Madison, had an impressive performance in the previous game against UTSA, passing for 309 yards, scoring two touchdowns, and running for two more. He was recognized as the Sun Belt offensive player of the week for his exceptional performance.
Players to keep an eye on include Arizona State’s running back Cam Skattebo, who was named the national player of the week by AP after rushing for an outstanding 262 yards in the last game. In Texas State’s camp, wide receiver Chris Dawn Jr. stands out for his speed and performance, despite being undersized at 5-foot-7 and 170 pounds. Dawn made significant contributions in the previous game with touchdown catches of 46 and 21 yards.
In terms of facts and figures, Arizona State is on a Texas tour, with their next game following this against Texas Tech for their Big 12 opener. Skattebo is close to reaching 3,000 career rushing yards, needing just eight more yards to achieve this milestone. Texas State has showcased a robust defense in the first two games, averaging 3.5 sacks and limiting opponents to an average of 66.5 rushing yards.
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