After two practices in shorts and shirts, the Sun Devils finally put on their pads and got after it on Thursday. As the team arrived, Coach Graham told the team, "No wasted plays," and explained that often times a game will come down to just three or four plays so they can't afford to waste any of them whether it be a game or practice.
Due to the rain yesterday and throughout the night, ASU practiced inside the Verde Dickey Dome. A number of high school coaches and players were on hand to take in the morning's session. Even former Devils Taylor Kelly and Jamil Douglas stopped by for a bit to watch practice.
While the defense had the upper-hand on Tuesday, the offense responded loudly this morning, totaling 17 explosive plays with their best outing of the week.
Sidenote: An explosive offensive play is 12+ yards on a rush and 16+ yards on a reception.
We mentioned on Tuesday that Evan Goodman appeared to tweak an ankle during team drills. While the junior wasn't in a green no-contact jersey today, he sat out most of the session. Redshirt freshman Sam Jones filled in for him at the starting left tackle spot. Also, incoming frosh Steve Miller came up limping with an ankle injury of his own midway through the practice. He was able to walk it off but did not return to action.
Demario Richard wore a gold limited contact jersey for the first time this Spring. If you recall, D.J. Foster often wore the gold jersey last season as the starting running back. It's more of a precautionary measure for Richard.
First team offense: Mike Bercovici (QB), Demario Richard (RB), D.J. Foster (WR), Gary Chambers (WR), Fred Gammage (WR), Kody Kohl (TE), Sam Jones (LT), Christian Westerman (LG), Nick Kelly (C), Stephon McCray (RG), and Billy McGehee (RT).
Second team offense: Manny Wilkins (QB), De'Chavon Hayes (RB), Ellis Jefferson (WR), Tyler Whiley (WR), Jalen Harvey (WR), Raymond Epps (TE), Jack Powers (LT), Steve Miller (LG), Tyler McClure (C), Devin Goodman (RG), and Quinn Bailey (RT).
Following Miller's injury, Jones took second team reps at LG on top of first team reps at LT.
Vi Teofilo and Grant Martinez continiue to be the only two offensive players in green.
Fred Gammage looked very tight today and did not practice much. It appeared to be a hamstring issue. With Gammage out, it was actually Eric Lauderdale who took the majority of first team reps in his place and Lauderdale did not waste the opportunity. The JUCO transfer had a number of catches during team and skele drills and earned a lot of praise from Offensive Coordinator Mike Norvell.
Brady White connected with Lauderdale on a long completion and then later on Bercovici found the junior for a long scoring play.
Speaking of Brady White, he was arguably the sharpest of the three QB's throughout the day, though Berco really came alive late during the final set of team drills. White also completed a 40 yard scoring bomb to Ellis Jefferson down the sideline as EJ beat Ronald Lewis by a couple steps.
Unfortunately for Lewis, that's been a theme this week.
Manny Wilkins threw the day's only interception though White fumbled a snap that was scooped up by Simone and returned for a touchdown.
Bercovici scrambled for a five yard score during red zone drills and then later hit Foster in the flat before D.J. outran the defense for a long score.
Both Hayes and Ballage had a couple explosive runs. Ballage has been really impressive throughout the first week. He's running with more confidence than he did last year, most likely due to his familiarity with the offense.
Freshman Nick Ralston had the day's biggest hit, and no, he wasn't playing linebacker. After catching some flack from Graham for running too soft, Ralston absolutely trucked two or three guys on one play - you know, with that loud CRACK sound when the pads and helmets all collide - igniting the crowd on hand and the offense.
Not to be outdone though, on a long Jacom Brimhall run, Manny Wilkins delivered a big blow, knocking over Deandre Scott about 25 yards downfield. Brimhall also had a 20 yard TD catch late in the day.
Not much from the tight ends this morning.
Zane Gonzalez was 3-3 on the day, connecting twice from 37 yards out and once from 43.
Due to the rain yesterday and throughout the night, ASU practiced inside the Verde Dickey Dome. A number of high school coaches and players were on hand to take in the morning's session. Even former Devils Taylor Kelly and Jamil Douglas stopped by for a bit to watch practice.
While the defense had the upper-hand on Tuesday, the offense responded loudly this morning, totaling 17 explosive plays with their best outing of the week.
Sidenote: An explosive offensive play is 12+ yards on a rush and 16+ yards on a reception.
We mentioned on Tuesday that Evan Goodman appeared to tweak an ankle during team drills. While the junior wasn't in a green no-contact jersey today, he sat out most of the session. Redshirt freshman Sam Jones filled in for him at the starting left tackle spot. Also, incoming frosh Steve Miller came up limping with an ankle injury of his own midway through the practice. He was able to walk it off but did not return to action.
Demario Richard wore a gold limited contact jersey for the first time this Spring. If you recall, D.J. Foster often wore the gold jersey last season as the starting running back. It's more of a precautionary measure for Richard.
First team offense: Mike Bercovici (QB), Demario Richard (RB), D.J. Foster (WR), Gary Chambers (WR), Fred Gammage (WR), Kody Kohl (TE), Sam Jones (LT), Christian Westerman (LG), Nick Kelly (C), Stephon McCray (RG), and Billy McGehee (RT).
Second team offense: Manny Wilkins (QB), De'Chavon Hayes (RB), Ellis Jefferson (WR), Tyler Whiley (WR), Jalen Harvey (WR), Raymond Epps (TE), Jack Powers (LT), Steve Miller (LG), Tyler McClure (C), Devin Goodman (RG), and Quinn Bailey (RT).
Following Miller's injury, Jones took second team reps at LG on top of first team reps at LT.
Vi Teofilo and Grant Martinez continiue to be the only two offensive players in green.
Fred Gammage looked very tight today and did not practice much. It appeared to be a hamstring issue. With Gammage out, it was actually Eric Lauderdale who took the majority of first team reps in his place and Lauderdale did not waste the opportunity. The JUCO transfer had a number of catches during team and skele drills and earned a lot of praise from Offensive Coordinator Mike Norvell.
Brady White connected with Lauderdale on a long completion and then later on Bercovici found the junior for a long scoring play.
Speaking of Brady White, he was arguably the sharpest of the three QB's throughout the day, though Berco really came alive late during the final set of team drills. White also completed a 40 yard scoring bomb to Ellis Jefferson down the sideline as EJ beat Ronald Lewis by a couple steps.
Unfortunately for Lewis, that's been a theme this week.
Manny Wilkins threw the day's only interception though White fumbled a snap that was scooped up by Simone and returned for a touchdown.
Bercovici scrambled for a five yard score during red zone drills and then later hit Foster in the flat before D.J. outran the defense for a long score.
Both Hayes and Ballage had a couple explosive runs. Ballage has been really impressive throughout the first week. He's running with more confidence than he did last year, most likely due to his familiarity with the offense.
Freshman Nick Ralston had the day's biggest hit, and no, he wasn't playing linebacker. After catching some flack from Graham for running too soft, Ralston absolutely trucked two or three guys on one play - you know, with that loud CRACK sound when the pads and helmets all collide - igniting the crowd on hand and the offense.
Not to be outdone though, on a long Jacom Brimhall run, Manny Wilkins delivered a big blow, knocking over Deandre Scott about 25 yards downfield. Brimhall also had a 20 yard TD catch late in the day.
Not much from the tight ends this morning.
Zane Gonzalez was 3-3 on the day, connecting twice from 37 yards out and once from 43.
