- Slug: Sports-ASU Wednesday,850
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By MAURICIO CASILLAS
Cronkite News
TEMPE – The Sun Devil football team’s Wednesday practice opened up with the defense making a splash.
The team started off running the two-minute drill. Quarterback Mike Bercovici led the hurry up offense, and was trying to get into field goal range. During the drill, Bercovici went 3 for 6, hitting receivers DJ Foster and Devin Lucien and running back De’Chavon “Gump” Hayes.
The defense, however, came up with a big stop on the seventh play of the drive. Linebacker Christian Sam’s pressure forced Bercovici to get rid of the ball, and lineman Demetrius Cherry picked off his pass. The play ended up being called a sack instead, but the defense still ended up winning the drill.
Wednesday was the last chance to see the Sun Devils in action before they leave for Houston, Thursday. Thursday morning’s practice will be closed to the media.
STRONG’S SUCCESSOR: It’s ironic that the Sun Devils kick off the season at NRG Stadium in Houston, because that is where former ASU wide receiver Jaelen Strong will be playing on Sundays for the Texans.
One of the biggest question marks facing the receiving corps entering this season is how they will replace Strong’s production. Strong had 82 catches for 1,165 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Sun Devils also have to replace receiver Cam Smith, who tore his ACL during spring practices. Smith was a promising receiver who likely would have started.
D.J. Foster’s position change to receiver will help. He caught 62 balls out of the backfield last season. However, receivers Fred Gammage, Ellis Jefferson and Gary Chambers combined for only 31 catches last season.
“All of us can be that guy on the team. A lot of people say that since Jaelen (Strong) or Cam Smith is out that there needs to be someone that steps up,” Jefferson said. “I think that all of us should be able to be that receiver, and we have the potential to do that.”
Jefferson in particular has a close connection to Bercovici. The two of them are roommates.
“I’ve been with Berco ever since my freshman year. He was backed up behind Taylor Kelly, and I was behind Jaelen. It’s nothing different,” Jefferson said. “We already have the chemistry, so we just have to make it work come game time.”
Wide receiver Tim White, who has been dealing with a wrist injury for the past couple of weeks, is starting to heal up. Graham said there’s a chance he’ll be ready to help the receiving corps on Saturday.
“Tim has been an incredible young man for us,” head coach Todd Graham said. “He has not wavered one bit. He has not dropped a pass with a cast on, that I’ve seen on film. He’s just been remarkable and just a great character kid.”
DEALING WITH THE HYPE: Arizona State heads into Saturday’s game ranked No. 15 nationally (AP), and the team has garnered widespread attention from the media as a squad that could make it into the College Football Playoff.
This is not unfamiliar territory for the Sun Devils. They were ranked as high as No. 7 last season before losing to unranked Oregon State on Nov. 15. Graham wants his team to learn from its mistakes when it comes to dealing with the pressure of success.
“I was really surprised, how we responded to Oregon State. I was surprised because I thought we were ready for that,” Graham said. “I like that those predictions are there. I like that we’re in that talk. We took this game for a reason, to be on that stage. That’s the only way you ever get there.”
Safety Jordan Simone believes the team is prepared because of the work they’ve put in during fall camp.
“We’re sick of playing each other. We’re ready to just put the pads on somebody else,” Simone said. “At the end of the day, none of that stuff matters. What matters is what happens in this bubble every day and what happens in practice and in the film room, and really in the classroom. All that stuff has a direct correlation to how we play on Saturday.”
PUMP UP THE VOLUME: Arizona State kicked off its practice by cranking up some crowd noise on the speakers.
“It’s awesome, it just adds that element of the crowd. If you can put it in your mind that you’re in the stadium, it helps you practice,” Simone said. “Communication is important, especially when that crowd noise starts going.”
To say that Saturday’s game is at a neutral site is a bit of a misnomer. NRG Stadium is only 99 miles from Texas A&M’s Kyle Field, and the stadium is sure to be filled with Aggie fans.
“Texas A&M travels really well. I know that from me being from Texas, and I’m just excited,” said Jefferson, who is originally from Denton. “I think I play better when I’m at an away game with the crowd going crazy. We come together more as an offense, so we’ll be prepared.”
Simone said that regardless of where the team is playing, it will be ready.
“I’m really excited just to get down there,” Simone said. “It could be in Europe. I don’t care where we play, we’re going to play Sun Devil football.”
