What UGA fans need to know about Arizona State

By TIM TUCKER

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

• Record: 2-0

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Paul Connors, AP Arizona State's senior quarterback Danny Sullivan (15) replaces prolific three-year starter Rudy Carpenter. The Sun Devils are averaging 44 points per game.

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• Last week: Defeated Louisiana-Monroe 38-14

• Last time played Georgia: Arizona State lost 27-10 in Tempe last year, the only previous meeting between the schools.

• Arizona State on offense: Like Georgia, the Sun Devils have a new starting quarterback this season — senior Danny Sullivan, replacing prolific three-year starter Rudy Carpenter. Sullivan is backed up by highly touted freshman Brock Osweiler. Arizona State is averaging 44 points per game, albeit against opponents from non-BCS conferences.

• Arizona State on defense: The Sun Devils’ defense held Idaho State (Big Sky Conference) to 37 yards total offense in the season opener. Senior defensive end Dexter Davis, who has started 40 games for ASU, has 27.5 career sacks. Senior linebacker Mike Nixon, who is 26 years old, tied for the Pac-10 lead with five interceptions last year.

• Arizona State on special teams: Thomas Weber, the 2007 Lou Groza Award winner as the nation’s top placekicker, has made 48 of 56 career field-goal attempts but he was unavailable last week because of a hip flexor injury. His status for this week is unclear.

• What you need to know: Arizona State ranks No. 1 in the nation in turnover margin, while Georgia ranks No. 116. The Sun Devils have lost no turnovers and gained eight; Georgia has lost nine and gained two.

• What you might not know: ASU was picked to finish fifth in the Pac-10 in the preseason media poll.

• Coach: Dennis Erickson, 165-75-1 as a college head coach, including 17-10 at Arizona State.

• More on the Web: Arizona State Athletics