New Mexico @ Arizona State preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 6, 2014 ) Arizona State 58, New Mexico 23

Demario Richard already has shown he can be tough to bring down, and the Arizona State running back will be ripe for a big game when the Sun Devils host New Mexico on Friday in a non-conference game. Richard has gained 105 of his 221 yards this season after contact and the Lobos have shown to be soft against the run, allowing two rushers to surpass 100 yards last week.

The Sun Devils still have a lot to prove this campaign as they’ve been far from impressive in their first two games, losing by 21 points to Texas A&M in the season opener and escaping with a 35-21 victory over Cal Poly on Saturday. Arizona State will face a similar triple-option offense as last weekend, when it surrendered 284 rushing yards. New Mexico has a quality rusher in Teriyon Gipson, who was questionable coming into last week’s game against Tulsa with a knee injury but finished with 71 yards and two touchdowns in the 40-21 loss. The Lobos had a chance to take the lead late in the third quarter but missed a 42-yard field goal and Tulsa scored the game’s final 17 points.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network. LINE: Arizona State -28

ABOUT NEW MEXICO (1-1): Lamar Jordan continues to be the No. 1 quarterback for the Lobos, but Austin Apodaca has seen his share of playing time, throwing just as many passes as Jordan this season (20). What separates the two is Jordan's running ability, as he’s second on the team in rushing with 97 yards while Apodaca has yet to register one. Regardless of who’s under center, they both have a reliable receiver in Dameon Gamblin, who made eight catches for 131 yards against Tulsa. Jason Sanders has added field-goal duties to his kickoff responsibilities this season and already booted a 50-yarder.

ABOUT ARIZONA STATE (1-1): Mike Bercovici has thrown 13 TD passes in his first five games as a starter, the most of any quarterback in program history. He threw his last two in the fourth quarter against Cal Poly to break a 21-21 tie and save the Sun Devils the possibility of going to overtime against a highly inferior foe. The defense needs to show some improvement but already is dealing with some key injuries as starting safety Armand Perry, who led the Sun Devils with 11 tackles in the season opener, was in a walking boot this week and appears doubtful against New Mexico. On the positive side, Christian Sam, Salamo Fiso, Jordan Simone, Antonio Longino and Viliami Moeakiola all reached double digits in tackles last week.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Sun Devils also are expected to be without backup RBs De’Chavon Hayes (foot) and Kalen Ballage (illness), which could force converted WR D.J. Foster to be used in the backfield more.

2. Arizona State TE Kody Kohl has a TD reception in five of his last six games while Foster has caught a pass in an NCAA-leading 42 straight contests.

3. New Mexico has committed 20 penalties for 209 yards this season.

PREDICTION: Arizona State 35, New Mexico 20