Amanda: Kyson Brown has sixty-six rushing yards and thirteen carries against Texas A&M. But Marquis Gillis is waiting in the wings, and Kenny Dillingham’s offense needs more than just one engine to survive a trip to London for Week Three.
Paul: And let’s be real about that backfield. If ASU wants to bounce back from that forty-eight to twenty drubbing, they can’t rely on Brown carrying the load alone. The depth chart is shifting, and the competition is heating up right now.
Amanda: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Amanda, and this is your daily dose of Arizona State football. Paul, we are back.
Paul: I am here. And honestly, Amanda, after two days of breaking down that loss to No. 10 Texas A&M, it feels like the only thing keeping us grounded is the roster battles we’re seeing behind closed doors.
Amanda: Exactly. So here is what we’ve got for you today. First, we’re going deep into the running back controversy: is Kyson Brown still the clear starter, or is Marquis Gillis making his case? Second, we’ll look at the wide receiver corps—Reed Harris had a monster day, but who else is stepping up? And third, we’re talking roster cuts, predictions for who’s trending up, and how this impacts our London game preview against Kansas.
Paul: It’s all about rotation. You don’t win games in the Big 12 with tired legs in the fourth quarter. We saw that happen against the Aggies. Let’s get into it.
Amanda: Alright, Segment One. The most important position battle in Tempe right now is unequivocally the running back room. We know Kyson Brown started against Texas A&M. He had thirteen carries for sixty-six yards. That’s five points per carry. Solid, efficient, but not explosive enough to break a long one when the defense was keying in on him.
Paul: Right. And we mentioned this yesterday—the prediction was that Brown would remain the primary back, but Gillis might see more touches. Well, looking at the roster list, we have David Avit, Jason Brown Jr., Cardae Mack, and Marquis Gillis all listed alongside Kyson. That’s a crowded field. Against Texas A&M, the offensive line struggled to create consistent push in the second half. That’s when you need a change of pace.
Amanda: So, Paul, if you’re Kenny Dillingham, and you’re preparing for Kansas in London, where does Marquis Gillis fit in? Is he ready for a significant role, or is he still developing?
Paul: Here’s the tactical view. Gillis is likely the third-down specialist or the early-down complement. When Cutter Boley goes under center, you want someone who can catch out of the backfield. Reed Harris had nine receptions for 189 yards. That’s huge. It means the passing game is working through the middle. If Gillis can replicate that connection, he becomes indispensable.
Amanda: But what about David Avit? He’s also on the roster. Does he offer something different than Gillis or Brown?
Paul: Avit is usually the inside runner. If the defensive ends are flying around outside, you need power up the middle. Against Texas A&M, Rueben Owens II only had ten carries for thirty-five yards, but he scored a touchdown. It wasn’t about volume; it was about finding the soft spot in the zone coverage. ASU couldn’t consistently find that soft spot.
Amanda: So, the battle isn’t just about who gets the ball—it’s about who can execute the blocking schemes when the pass protection breaks down. Cutter Boley took two sacks, right? Or was it related to pressure?
Paul: Boley had two interceptions. One was a turnover that hurt badly. The other was a mistake. But when the pocket collapses, the running back has to step up and block. If the backs aren’t picking up the blitzes, Boley is forced to throw into tight windows. That’s how you get INTs. So, the RB battle is really an O-line and scheme battle disguised as a personnel decision.
Amanda: That is such a good point. It’s situational football. Okay, so Kyson Brown starts, but Gillis and Avit are fighting for snaps. If ASU wants to keep it close against Kansas, they need three viable threats. Are we there yet?
Paul: We’re getting there. But you can’t play everyone equally. You have to trust the guy who protects the quarterback best. If Gillis shows that in practice this week, he plays. If Avit shows he can move the chains on third-and-short, he plays. It’s merit-based.
Amanda: Merit-based. I like that. Alright, sticking with us because Segment Two is going to shift gears to the receiving corps. Reed Harris was fantastic, but who is number two?
Amanda: Let’s talk Wide Receivers. Reed Harris had nine catches for 189 yards and two touchdowns. That is a top-tier performance in the Big 12. But the rest of the group? It’s messy. We have Chance Ables, Cory Butler Jr., Derek Eusebio, Jaren Hamilton, Harry Hassmann, Jeremiah Johnson, Plas Johnson, Omarion Miller, Jalen Moss, and Uriah Neloms. That is a lot of names.
Paul: It’s overwhelming. And when you have that many receivers, the question becomes: who is actually lining up against the nickel cornerback? In college football, the nickel is often the fastest defender. If your WR2 can’t beat him, you’re stuck in one-dimensional offenses. Texas A&M exploited that. They knew Harris was coming, so they doubled him.
Amanda: So, who steps up when Harris is doubled? Is it Harry Hassmann? He’s been talked about as a big-play threat. Or is it Derek Eusebio?
Paul: Hassmann has the size. Eusebio has the speed. But here’s the issue: Cutter Boley threw two picks. One went to a defender near the sideline. Did the WR make the read? Did they adjust their route? If the secondary reads are slow, even the best receivers look bad. Boley has to trust them more.
Amanda: Do you think the coaching staff simplifies the playbook for London? Sometimes international games require a more streamlined approach due to travel fatigue.
Paul: Absolutely. Kenny Dillingham said there’s 'zero advantage' to the international game, but he also hinted at alignment issues. Simplifying the WR routes makes sense. Get Harris the ball, get the RB involved in the screen game, and let the defense beat you. Don’t try to be clever.
Amanda: Smart. So, less complexity, more execution. What about the tight ends? Khamari Anderson, James Giggey, AJ Ia, Kristian Ingman, Anthony Miller, Landen Miree. Do TEs play a bigger role in this offense?
Paul: They should. Look at the TE spots. Giggey and Anderson are veterans. If they can run seam routes, they stretch the field vertically. Texas A&M played Cover 3 mostly. If ASU can hit the intermediate seams, you open up the sidelines for Harris. It’s about leverage. Vertical spacing.
Amanda: So, the battle here isn’t just who catches the ball, it’s who can create separation against zone coverage. Who is winning that battle in practice?
Paul: Hard to say without being in the facility, but logically, it’s the guys who know the system best. That points to Anderson and Giggey. They’re not the flashiest, but they’re reliable. Reliability wins games when you’re playing away from home in London.
Amanda: Reliability over flashiness. Got it. Alright, Segment Three. This is where things get real. Roster cuts, trends, and who is on the bubble. With the London trip coming up, coaches often trim the fat before international travel.
Amanda: Who do you think is trending down right now? Based on the Texas A&M game, who didn’t impress?
Paul: I’d say any young QBs who didn’t see meaningful snaps are losing rhythm. Cameron Dyer, Pauly Keene, Jake Fette. They’re safe for now, but if Boley struggles again, the competition heats up. Also, any OL who struggled with the edge rush. Marco Jones had a sack for Texas A&M. Julio Humphrey had a pick-six. The pass protection was porous.
Amanda: The offensive line. Tana Alo-Tupuola, Luke Baklenko, Desean Bryant Jr., Brent Helton, Wade Helton, Matai Jefferson, Terrell Kim, Jalen Klemm, Rob Lapuaho, Siosaia Lapuaho, Filiva'a Lokotui, Jarmaine Mitchell, Manamo'ui Muti, Niniva Nicholson. That’s a lot of bodies. Who is starting?
Paul: Usually, the starters are the ones with the most reps. But injuries and performance rotate people. If the interior line is struggling, they might shuffle the guards. Jefferson and Klemm are likely anchors. But if they can’t stop the speed rush, someone else gets a look. It’s brutal.
Amanda: So, who is trending UP? Who gave you hope despite the loss?
Paul: Reed Harris. Obviously. 189 yards. Two scores. He made plays when it mattered. Also, Adrian Wilson with eight total tackles. He was everywhere. On defense, Emar'rion Winston with a sack showed he can generate pressure. These are the guys you build around.
Amanda: Wilson and Winston. Defensive leaders. And Harris on offense. So, if those three stay hot, ASU can compete. But what about the roster cut predictions? Who’s going home or to the scout team?
Paul: I predict the bottom two running backs will be reduced to special teams contributors. Maybe Cardae Mack or Jason Brown Jr. depending on special teams value. And one of the younger TEs, maybe Anthony Miller, might see limited action until the season settles. You need bodies for depth, but not at every position.
Amanda: Special teams value is huge. If you can’t block on punts, you don’t play. Smart move by the staff to prioritize versatility. Alright, Paul, final thoughts on the roster battles before we wrap up?
Paul: Trust the process. Kyson Brown starts. Reed Harris is the alpha. But the depth is there. If Gillis and the OL can lock in for London, we could see a much different result than College Station.
Amanda: We predicted ASU would beat Kansas last time, and we’re sticking with that. Limit turnovers, control the clock, and let Harris fly. Now, before we go, I need to ask you something directly. We put out a fresh, detailed episode like this every single day, covering everything from roster battles to game breakdowns. Keeping this show free for you takes real effort and resources. A handful of supporters makes that possible every day. If you love what we do, please consider chipping in via the link in the episode description. It helps us keep the lights on and the analysis sharp.
Paul: We appreciate every single one of you. Your support lets us keep digging into the film and bringing you the truth about ASU football. Thank you for listening.
Amanda: Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the Beatline Podcast Network wherever you listen. Share this episode with a fellow Sun Devil fan. Go Devs!