ASU Football: Sun Devils ready to christen new stadium renovations

(Photo: Scotty Bara/WCSN)

After playing in a hostile environment in the season opener, Arizona State returns to the friendly confines of Sun Devil Stadium. The team is 16-4 at home in the Todd Graham era.

Although Sun Devil Stadium is still well in the midst of its renovation, head coach Todd Graham is eager to see the environment.

“One of the things I’m the most excited this week is walking into that stadium and having the best student section in the country,” Graham said. “They’re all on ground level, in both endzones.”

Although the team continues to stay in a week-to-week mindset, redshirt senior quarterback Mike Bercovici is also aware of the significance of the first home game.

“It’s special,” Bercovici said. “I hate to say it, but it’s only a couple more times that me and these seniors get to do it. It’s going to be emotional.”

Players and coaches alike seem to have the Texas A&M loss well in the rear view mirror, and all the focus is on Cal Poly and its triple-option offense.

“The triple option is completely different than the spread,” Graham said. “This is Navy, flexbone, wishbone-type principles. This is a totally different deal.”

Offense ready to prove itself

After the flat performance a week ago, it’d be expected that the offensive unit is gearing up to explode on Saturday. ASU averaged just 199 yards through the air as it struggled to fend off A&M’s defensive line, but its confidence to put points on the board is far from shaken.

“We have a lot of talent on the field offensively,” Bercovici said. “It’s just going to be good to see how it all comes together.”

One piece that wasn’t able to get going last week was the play of redshirt senior wide receiver Gary Chambers, who was limited to one catch for nine yards.

“We always have a big sense of urgency to play well and perform,” Chambers said. “We continue to come out here and get better and keep doing what we do.”

Although the loss of sophomore running back Kalen Ballage hampered offensive coordinator Mike Norvell’s plans in Houston, ASU did see the return of another one of its weapons this week. Redshirt junior wide receiver Tim White was seen taking first-team reps this week after spending the majority of the last few weeks in a green non-contact jersey.

“He (White) is looking good,” Chambers said. “He’s a great player, got tremendous talent and he’s definitely doing well out there.”

The 5-foot-11 transfer from College of Canyons (California) had impressed during Camp Tontozona before being sidelined with an injury to his left hand/wrist that forced him to miss the first game of the season.

Practice notes

– Senior center Nick Kelly and redshirt junior tackle Evan Goodman were not in green, no-contact jerseys today.

– Graham mentioned the possibility of redshirt freshman Sam Jones starting at left tackle in place of Goodman.

– No decision has been made in regards to redshirting freshman running back Jason Lewis, according to Graham.

– Redshirt freshman linebacker Ismael Murphy-Richardson “will play a lot,” according to Graham. Murphy-Richardson was suspended for the first game of the season for a violation of team rules.

You can reach Zac Pacleb on Twitter @ZacPacleb or via email at zacpacleb@gmail.com.

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