- Slug: BC-CNS-ASU Practice Notes,750
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By BILL SLANE
Cronkite News
TEMPE – With two key injuries at running back, senior wide receiver D.J. Foster saw some time at his old position against Cal Poly, getting the ball 12 times out of the backfield for 76 yards.
The ultra-versatile Foster will likely be seeing some time back there again this weekend with Kalen Ballage and Gump Hayes unavailable, and Foster is ready if his number is called there.
“It felt good. I’m game for whatever they need me to do,” Foster said. “It felt good being back in the backfield and getting some touches but whatever they need to me to do. I’m excited and more than welcome to do it.”
When ASU met New Mexico last season in Albuquerque, Foster had one of his best days running the ball, totaling 216 yards rushing on 19 carries with a touchdown along with three receptions for 54 yards. Foster hasn’t forgotten his big day in New Mexico.
“Yeah it was a good time,” Foster said. “But it’s a new season, new game, and I’m excited to go out there, especially in our home field, and be out there in front of the inferno and all our fans again and get the win.”
ALL HANDS ON DECK: ASU coach Todd Graham had to make a change to his starting defense Tuesday. With sophomore Armand Perry still on crutches and in a walking boot during practice inside the bubble, Graham sent freshman Kareem Orr to take the reps with the first team during the tempo portion that reporters were allowed to observe.
Other notable players still not participating fully but seen at practice included running back Kalen Ballage, who continues to deal with a case of mononucleosis, and running back Gump Hayes, who has a hamstring injury. Wide receiver Fred Gammage and linebacker Viliami Latu were also non-participants Tuesday. Latu has a chance to be ready to play Friday.
HOLD ON: ASU had three bumbles against Cal Poly, although the Sun Devils only lost one of them. That was a slight improvement from the season opener, when the team had five fumbles, with two lost, against Texas A&M. ASU lost just four fumbles last season, so ball security seems to be an issue early in 2015.
On Monday, Graham and quarterback Mike Bercovici talked about the importance of ball security during their news conferences. During practice Tuesday, Graham preached that to his players during the ball-protection drills portion.
SPREADING IT AROUND: Offensive coordinator Mike Norvell addressed the difficulties of having players go down with injuries, especially at one position. Running backs Ballage and Hayes are unlikely to see the field Friday.
“You have to move things around and look at obviously how you’re dispersing the touches, the reps,” Norvell said. “Making sure you’re keeping guys fresh, still being able to play at a fast tempo. That’s what coaching is about.”
Norvell praised his players for adjusting.
“Guys are doing a great job of being able to be versatile,” he said. “We have a lot of versatility in this offense.”
CHEMISTRY 101: The offense, which was top-20 in points per game a year ago, has played flat in its first two games. Senior wide receiver D.J. Foster doesn’t see anything mechanically wrong with the unit other than the need to get everyone on the same page.
“We’ve just got to find our chemistry, that’s it,” Foster said. “We just need to come out here and keep practicing hard and get our timing down with Mike (Bercovici) and keep making sure that Mike’s protected for as long as possible. We’ve just got to keep our rhythm and tempo going in practice.”
CUT MEN: Graham has made his feelings about the cut blocks used by Cal Poly last week very clear. So have his players on defense. Despite also running the triple-option, New Mexico has not used cut blocks as frequently in its first two games.
Freshman defensive lineman JoJo Wicker said he hasn’t seen New Mexico cut block on film, but the team is preparing for cut blocks in case New Mexico decides to use them.
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ASU offensive coordinator Mike Norvell watches practice inside the Verde Dickey Dome on September 15, 2015 in Tempe. (Photo by Bill Slane/Cronkite News)