The Balance May Be Shifting in the Running Back Room

One of the questions surrounding Arizona State going into Waco was how the running back room would look with the return of junior running back Kyson Brown. 

The answer was simple: Not much changed. Redshirt junior running back Raleek Brown received the bulk of the carries for the third straight week, accounting for 63% of rushing attempts, excluding those from redshirt sophomore quarterback Sam Leavitt. 

Kyson Brown recorded just two carries for nine yards in a run-heavy day for the Sun Devils’ offense. 

ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham said postgame running the ball played a massive part in the game plan to keep the Bears’ offense off the field. 

“You can’t play that team in 13, 14 possessions with how many shots they take, how explosive they are,” Dillingham said. 

Additionally, Baylor entered the matchup with the third-worst rush defense in the Big 12. Both Auburn and SMU put up big rushing numbers against the Bears, averaging 235 yards. 

Raleek Brown did well in the spotlight, recording 104 yards from scrimmage between 21 rushes and three receptions. 

The bulk of the rushing attack wasn’t incredibly productive. As a team, the Sun Devils didn’t reach the 200-yard mark, averaging 3.7 yards per carry. 

Looking ahead to Texas Christian, ASU has a much stiffer defense to run on. 

The Horned Frogs have allowed just 107 yards per game and 3.2 yards per carry through their first three games, two of which were power four opponents.

Kyson Brown may get worked more into the offense as he fully returns from his injury, especially if Dillingham opts to attack the TCU defense with as many options as possible. 

A Clear No. 2 Option Has Emerged For Leavitt

Redshirt senior tight end Chamon Metayer started his 2025 campaign without much action in the passing game. 

Through the Northern Arizona and Mississippi State games, Metayer recorded just one reception for 20 yards. 

However, things have changed for the 6’4 tight end, who transferred from Cincinnati before the 2024 season. 

Between the Texas State and Baylor games, Metayer recorded 13 receptions for 115 yards receiving. 

Outside of Tyson, Metayer has been on the receiving end of 52% of Leavitt’s completions. 

Metayer filled a big hole in both of those games, as much-anticipated redshirt junior transfer Jalen Moss hasn’t played due to a foot injury and an illness. 

Moss left the NAU game in the second quarter of Week 1 and was supposed to make his return Saturday against the Bears, but was ruled out due to an illness. 

Moss’s status remains uncertain heading into Friday’s matchup with the Horned Frogs despite being cleared to play off of the foot injury. Barring an extended absence due to illness, Moss will return to the offense this week. 

Defense Looks Strong

Baylor’s offense ranks among the best in the Big 12, averaging 38 points per game, with two of those games being against teams ranked at one point or another. 

Part of Dillingham’s game plan consisted of keeping the ball away from the Bears’ offense by running the ball. 

A big part of Baylor’s offense is redshirt sophomore running back Bryson Washington. 

Dillingham aimed to keep Washington under 100 yards, as Baylor is 0-5 when its primary back is held under 100 yards rushing. 

The Sun Devils allowed 112 yards on the ground, yet Dillingham said the defense kept his team in the game. 

ASU held the Bears to just 10 drives, the same number as when Auburn beat Baylor in Week 1. 

The Sun Devils forced a turnover in an astounding 40% of those drives – via two fumbles, a pick and a turnover on downs. 

ASU’s failure to capitalize on those turnovers, just nine points on three turnovers, kept the Bears in the game.

“How is this a game-winning kick?” Dillingham said. “We’re up 3-0 in the turnover battle, have more yards, have more time of possession…this should not be this close of a game.”