(Photo: Scotty Bara/WCSN)
In the wake of former Arizona State running backs coach Bo Graham’s resignation, practice was business as usual for the Sun Devils.
Newly promoted coach Josh Martin continued to work with the offensive line while Del Alexander ran the running backs through ball security drills during the portion open to the media.
Head coach Todd Graham, who is also the father of Bo, said his son has taken a new position, but he would not elaborate on that. News of the resignation was initially broken by Sports Illustrated’s Thayer Evans, and following reports from several outlets cited “personal reasons” as to why Bo Graham resigned.
Todd Graham, however, remained his charasmatic self in his post-practice interviews.
“I’m not saying goodbye to him (Bo Graham),” he said. “He’s my son. I’ll see him every day.”
Martin, who has been working with the offensive line throughout preseason camp, remained with the group during the beginning of practice, but he is also upbeat about his new role.
“It’ll be fine,” Martin said. “Next guy up, just like we tell our guys.”
Previous to spending the 2014 season as an offensive graduate assistant, Martin was the offensive line coach for two years at his alma mater, Tarleton State. He was a three-year starter as a guard and tackle when he played at the school.
Upping the tempo
During the open session, the media saw ASU play some situational football. The scenario was 1:05 left on the clock and the offense was down by six.
The ASU staff filled the dome with artificial crowd noise in an attempt to simulate a game-like environment.
“It’s just something different,” senior cornerback Kweishi Brown said. “We come out here (Dickey Dome), and it’s really not that loud, so we get a little amped about it.”
The offense mostly ran three-wide receiver sets with redshirt junior De’Chavon “Gump” Hayes, redshirt senior David Lucien and senior D.J. Foster as the targets. Redshirt junior tight end Kody Kohl also had a chance at a deep ball from quarterback Mike Bercovici but dropped it.
Defensively, the Sun Devils showed what seemed to be their nickel package. Redshirt sophomore James Johnson was starting at spur, as he as the last few days of practice.
Naturally, the defense blitzed often, and a 6-man rush on a third-and-long forced Bercovici in to a poor throw, tossing one up for redshirt senior defensive back Solomon Means to intercept.
With gameweek only a few days away, the Sun Devils are doing their best to not get complacent in camp.
“My last two practices before today, they weren’t my best practices,” Lucien said. “I got kind of flat myself. I’m just trying my best to stay energized.”
Implementing artificial crowd noise is one way to get energy in the practice dome higher, but Brown emphasized the defense – the secondary in particular – is more than ready.
“The bird gang is destructive,” Brown said. “Definitely destructive.”
Practice notes
– Redshirt junior wide receiver Tim White was in a green, no contact jersey with his hand wrapped in a black bandage.
– True freshmen quarterbacks Brady White and Bryce Perkins were in grey quarterback jerseys as opposed to gold scout-team jerseys. Graham has reiterated his concerns about who the No. 2 QB will be, but redshirt freshman Manny Wilkins has gotten the majority of the second-team reps in portions open to the media
– Sophomore Kalen Ballage saw time at devilbacker today, continuing to play both ways.
– Redshirt junior Laiu Moeakiola was active today but not out with the defense during the portion open to the media. Sophomore linebacker DJ Calhoun was in at WILL during the open session.
You can reach Zac Pacleb on Twitter @ZacPacleb or via email at zacpacleb@gmail.com
