(Photo: Brett Deckert/WCSN)
This week is a change for Arizona State. For the first time since the season started, the team does not have a game during the week. Not only that, but its next game is on a Thursday, giving the Devils an extended short week of sorts.
During media viewing, practice went as usual. After the normal preliminary stretching and positional drills, the 11-on-0 drill saw Manny Wilkins manning quarterback for the first team. Wilkins missed last week’s game against Oregon after being removed early on from the loss against Washington State with an arm injury.
He looked to be at full speed, which is good news for the Sun Devils, especially considering he has a week and a half to rest up before the next game. Last week’s starter Dillon Sterling-Cole was practicing with the second team and Jack Smith was with the third team.
A few of the offensive weapons that have battled health problems, Tim White and Cameron Smith, have been on different paths. White has been a more active participant during practice, while Smith has been a frequent inhabitant of Muscle Beach.
Demario Richard, who missed last week’s game with an injury, participated in practice and barring any setback should be ready to go for next week.
Muscle Beach was populated with a lot of the same faces that we saw miss last week’s game, such as Christian Sam and Salamo Fiso. Offensive linemen Stephon McCray and Sam Jones don’t seem to be fully healthy at the moment either.
Center A.J. McCollum’s personal issue hasn’t helped matters much, as he has been practicing at times, but has not played in the last two games. Walk-on Tyler McClure has taken his place.
With injuries galore, it’s pretty clear that the bye week could not have come at a better time for the ailing Sun Devils.
From Head Coach Todd Graham: On the Sparky formation: “I’ve wanted us for years to have more physicality when we play, and I think that has helped us have more physicality.”
From Offensive Coordinator Chip Lindsey: On the use of trick plays: “I’ve always done that. First thing is it’s fun for the players, they like practicing it. It’s obviously fun when you execute and can hit one. I think it’s something you have to do. Defenses are so good these days at defending the basic stuff, I think you have to keep them off balance.
