(Photo: Tyler Paley/WCSN)
In the first game in the slightly altered, but not quite finished Sun Devil Stadium, Arizona State has the opportunity to get back on its feet in a game against Cal Poly — a team that is familiar with success in the FCS.
The Big Sky Conference side isn’t exactly loaded with big-time, notable names, but the Mustangs most recently took down two-time FCS Champions Montana with a strong triple-option attack and an opportunistic defense.
Although it’d be easy to glance over a roster from a non-Power 5 conference team and be bored or underwhelmed, Cal Poly does have a few names that have the potential to keep popping up and contribute to its efforts to spoil ASU’s house-warming party.
Offense
Kori Garcia, junior running back, No. 24
Chris Brown, senior quarterback, No. 9
When a triple-option team has two 1,000-yard rushers, that’s the sign of a pretty successful philosophy, and that’s exactly what the Mustangs have in Garcia and Brown.
Garcia, a second-team all conference selection last season, is looking to build on his sophomore campaign that saw him rack up 1,039 yards on 157 carries, good enough for 6.6 yards per carry. He gives the Mustangs a great alternative to its leading rusher and central portion of its offense, Chris Brown who led the team with 1,265 rushing yards, a Big Sky Conference record by a quarterback.
Brown returns from a season in which he became the first quarterback in program history to record 1,000 yards on the ground. His 17 rushing touchdowns was also just one shy from breaking the school record. His best effort came against Montana, when he gashed 226 yards last season.
Brown was at it again last week as Cal Poly once again took down Montana. The senior quarterback ran for 130 yards en route to a last-second victory.
ASU head coach Todd Graham has been adamant on the importance of his defense playing disciplined, and although the trademark of ASU’s side to be attacking a blitzing, staying true to assignments will be critical to limiting the attack.
Particularly, redshirt senior devilbacker Antonio Longino and redshirt junior defensive end Edmond Boateng will have to contain the edges while the interior rotation of sophomore Tashon Smallwood, redshirt senior Demetrius Cherry and junior Ami Latu to clog up the initial point of attack.
Defense
B.J. Nard, redshirt junior safety, No. 1
Nard isn’t as much of a notable name, but that’s mainly because this is the first time he is seeing the field for Cal Poly. After redshirting as a true freshman, Nard missed the entire 2013 and 2014 seasons while recovering from a torn ACL.
Now, finally healthy, Nard is looking to make an impact in the Mustangs’ secondary, and he did just that against Montana as he tallied three interceptions to help Cal Poly on to the win.
The interceptions were more of a product of Nard being in right place and right time after miscues from Montana, but he still showed decent ball skills and returned one of the picks inside the redzone.
ASU redshirt senior quarterback Mike Bercovici didn’t get a chance to display the type of high-octane play he would’ve liked to against Texas A&M, and he has a tendency to want to rifle balls in where some touch would be desired, so Nard could find himself another opportunity to get his fourth interception two weeks into the season.
You can reach Zac Pacleb on Twitter @ZacPacleb or via email at zacpacleb@gmail.com
