The Sun Devils hope their offense can cover up sins committed by their defense

Redmond was making an early run at the Heisman last season until toe and ankle injuries shot him down.  Paul Jasienski

A year ago, Arizona State fans looked at the Sun Devils' No. 8 preseason ranking, saw that the Fiesta Bowl was the site for the national title game and experienced one of those desert-induced illusions: Arizona State playing for the national title at home. Reality came in the form of a 5-6 record, a slew of injuries and even a team-bus driver who got lost going to Salt Lake City from Provo, Utah. "There's only one road," coach Bruce Snyder says. "How does that happen?"

@:The Sun Devils had few answers last season, and in their quest to return to national prominence they are relying on senior running back J.R. Redmond and junior quarterback Ryan Kealy. Redmond, who averaged 155.8 all-purpose yards last season as a runner and kick returner, needs to stay away from the toe and ankle injuries that slowed him the last five games of the season and ended his Heisman Trophy campaign. Kealy overcame right knee surgery and a midseason benching to finish with 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns in his last four games and has made himself a leader, something last year's team sorely lacked. His take-charge attitude has been noted even by new Arizona State basketball coach Rob Evans, who, while walking by the weight room one day, saw Kealy singling out a teammate for not running hard. "His river is flowing full," Snyder says. "I look in his eyes, and he is totally committed. It's his team. His personality is all over it."

The major problem for the defense last year was injuries -- too many inexperienced players saw action. "We played guys last year who we thought would never play at Arizona State," says senior cornerback Courtney Jackson. "And they played a lot." The team has replenished its secondary with four junior college transfers, who should allow the Sun Devils to play more five- and six-defensive-back coverages against pass-happy Pac-10 foes. Then there are the intangibles. "We need to play with all those things you want to have in a relationship with a woman," Jackson says, "intensity, passion, emotion and love."

Add fearlessness. The Sun Devils play seven bowl teams, including their regular season finale, Arizona, which was 12-1 in '98 and is entertaining thoughts of being No. 1 this year.

-- Gene Menez

Fast Facts

1998 record: 5-6 (4-4, tied for 5th in Pac-10)
Final ranking: unranked

1998 Averages Offense Defense Scoring 30.3 30.7 Rushing Yards 152.8 148.7 Passing Yards 259.0 257.8 Total Yards 411.8 406.5

Key Games
Schedule strength: 10th of 114

Sept. 6 vs. Texas Tech
What will it be for the Sun Devils-last year's disappointment or the triumph of '97, when they went 9-3? This Monday-nighter could set the tone for the season.

Nov. 27 vs. Arizona
The Sun Devils would love to kill their rival's national title hopes, but the Wildcats have won five of the last six.

Bottom Line

With a healthy Redmond and an improved defense, the Sun Devils should earn their third bowl berth in four seasons.