TEMPE, Ariz. — The biggest takeaway from the Arizona
State football team's spring game Saturday at Sun Devil Stadium?
That cloth canopy can't come soon enough.
With temperatures soaring above 100 degrees in Tempe, the Sun Devils wrapped up
their first official practice session under new coach Todd Graham with a
smoking-hot offense before 5,142 shade-seeking fans.
By the time 24 minutes had ticked off the clock, ASU had racked up 70 points.
All three quarterbacks showed flashes of promise on Saturday, running back
James Morrison continued to state his case for playing time and Jamal Miles
showed off his brilliant versatility.
Here's a look at some of the unofficial stats from Saturday's game, with a tip
of our sweaty cap going to Hod Rabino of DevilsDigest.com for sharing these.
QBs
Mike Bercovici completed 11-of-22 passes for 117 yards and two TDs. Michael
Eubank was 8-of-15 for 180 yards with three TDs. He also had seven rushes for
60 yards and a TD. Taylor Kelly was 10-of-12 for 116 yards, a TD and an
interception, while rushing 10 times for 77 yards and two TDs – runs of 43 and
6.
RUNNING BACKS
Morrison ran 13 times for 82 yards and a TD. Deantre Lewis had seven carries
for 64 yards.
RECEIVERS
Miles was the star of the day, hauling in seven passes for 101 yards and two
TDs and also returning a kickoff 97 yards for a score. Rashad Ross had five
catches for 67 yards and a TD. J.J. Holliday had four catches for 72 yards.
DEFENSE
Cornerback Ronald Kennedy had seven tackles and a pass defended. Cornerback
Osahon Irabor had five tackles and a pass defended. Linebacker Brandon Johnson tallied
five tackles (one for loss) with a pass defended and linebacker Grandville
Taylor had five tackles and a sack.
WHO'S NO. 1?
Graham said he has a pretty good idea which one of his three QBs is going to
play, but he declined to provide a depth chart after the spring game,
preferring to keep reporters "at bay" a little longer.
"I went into spring thinking that group was a group I could have some
confidence in,” Graham said. “I came out of spring knowing I've got confidence.
We don't want any newcomer quarterbacks. We want guys that are seasoned
veterans as far as their decision making. That's a position where we've got
good talent to work with."
MILES ACCEPTS CHALLENGE
ASU lost four key receivers this offseason, as Gerell Robinson, Mike Willie and Aaron Pflugrad
graduated while T.J. Simpson wasn't granted a sixth year of eligibility after a
season-ending ACL injury last year.
Miles realizes he is the only returning receiver with any experience — the only
receiver who caught more than 20 balls last year.
"I have to step up," he said after his big day Saturday.
"There's a lot of guys that are new here, playing their first year at the
D-I level so I put a lot of pressure on myself to help out this team — to come
up big."
DARBY BACK IN FAMILIAR SPOT
Alden Darby has played mostly at safety this spring after playing primarily at cornerback
last season when the Sun Devils suffered a pair of key injuries early at that
position to Omar Bolden and Devan Spann.
"Once camp comes we'll see," Darby said. "With the lack of depth,
I've been mostly at safety but they know what I can do and I'm able to do it
all. I'm up for anything."
MARSHALL, MIDDLEBROOKS ON TRACK
Running backs Cameron Marshall (ankle) and Kyle Middlebrooks (shoulder) missed
a significant chunk of spring ball following surgery. Graham said Saturday that
he still expects both to be ready for the start of training camp in August.
