Tag: todd graham

Changes, competition highlight start of Arizona State spring football

by Paola Boivin
  • Slug: Sports-ASU football preview, 507 words
  • Photos available.

By CHRISTOPHER WHITCOMB
Cronkite News

TEMPE — The sound of whistles, plays being run and Todd Graham’s voice radiating from practice field speakers Tuesday signaled the beginning of spring practice for the 2017 Arizona State football team.

The Sun Devils are looking forward to a fresh start this season with changes to their coaching staff and the addition of touted quarterback Blake Barnett, who transferred from Alabama.

They are coming off a pair of disappointing seasons that resulted in sub .500 records and unfulfilled expectations.

Continue reading “Changes, competition highlight start of Arizona State spring football”

Arizona State ‘caps’ recruiting with its best class of local players

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-ASU recruiting, 1,700 words
  • photo thumbnail below

By FABIAN ARDAYA
Cronkite News

TEMPE – It’s one of the most time-honored traditions in recruiting: the selection of a hat bearing the logo of the school where a football recruit is verbally committing to play.

Many schools have a tale of being spurned at the drop of a hat. Many also have their stories of landing a crown jewel for their program.

Arizona State’s most fond moment came at Saguaro High School in January of 2012. The hats on the table: ASU, California and Southern California.

With a smile, D.J. Foster grabbed the hat closest to him. The gold scripted “Sun Devils” glistened across the cap as it nestled onto his head. Coach Todd Graham, entering his second month on the job, had his first major recruit.

Continue reading “Arizona State ‘caps’ recruiting with its best class of local players”

Graham says ASU needs better blocking, tackling against Washington State

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-ASU Home,500

By CARLEE SWANSON
Cronkite News

TEMPE – Arizona State University’s football team hit a pothole Saturday and returned home 1-2 on the road.  Coach Todd Graham blamed the lack of tackling for the 40-16 loss against the Colorado Buffaloes. But the good news Graham said is that “we are 5-2.”

The better news: The Sun Devils play Washington State at home Saturday, where they are 4-0.

Washington State is 1-1 on the road and has recently beat Oregon State, Stanford and UCLA. Although the Devils have the advantage as the home team, that does not ensure a victory.

“You can tell their kids play hard,” Graham said. “But mostly, they’re an attacking group that try to force you into quite a few errors. They’ve done well.  I think that the big difference in their team has been how they have played defense. Obviously they’re going to put up the numbers and the yards on offense. But they’ve got them attacking and playing solid defense.”

Continue reading “Graham says ASU needs better blocking, tackling against Washington State”

Undefeated ASU looking for national respect against Cal

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-ASU Respect, 350
    Photo available

By TRISHA GARCIA
Cronkite News

TEMPE – Arizona State’s football has won as many games (three) as it has AP Top 25 Poll votes. What’s it going to take to get respect as one of the country’s 37 undefeated teams?

“Just keep winning,” ASU coach Todd Graham said. “We’re pleased to be 3-0 and growing and learning and getting better each week, but now it all starts over.”

ASU faces its first Pac-12 matchup Saturday hosting Cal (2-1), which upset No. 11 Texas after losing to San Diego State in week two.

“I was very, very impressed with their physicality and the heart (Cal) showed against Texas,” Graham said. Continue reading “Undefeated ASU looking for national respect against Cal”