TEMPE, Ariz. -- When Arizona State went to Camp Tontozona in 2012, coach Todd Graham was still trying implement his system and figure out a quarterback, among other key objectives.
This year will be a bit different. With key questions answered and experience all around, Graham wants to put a greater emphasis on building relationships during a week at the mountain retreat near Payson.
"I want time to really develop as a team," Graham said. "We will start early in the morning and finish late at night working on football, just (different) kind of things in football."
ASU loaded the buses for the drive Monday afternoon after a morning practice at Sun Devil Stadium. They are scheduled to practice at Tontozona each of the next four days before an intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday.
Graham led the charge to revive the "Camp T" tradition last season after it was discontinued in 2008 under coach Dennis Erickson. It originated under legendary ASU coach Frank Kush in 1960.
Last season, ASU practiced twice a day as Graham and his staff tried to position players for success on the field come Week 1. This year, the Sun Devils are not scheduled to practice twice in a day during their five-day trip, though Graham admitted that could change. The key reason for less practice: A wealth of newcomers expected to contribute.
ASU could have double-digit newcomers, including freshmen and junior college transfers, making significant contributions this season. Accordingly, Graham wants those newcomers to build strong bonds with the rest of the team early on.
"Right now we're in camp and I hear 'Hey Number 17 you're supposed to do this,'" Graham said. "We really need to kind of learn each other's names and get to know each other."
Said senior running back Marion Grice: "I'm excited to learn about all the newcomers up there, some of the things they wouldn't tell anyone that they want to share. I just want to get to know all of them, get to know their names."
Part of the attraction of Camp Tontozona is getting away from modern luxuries and connecting with teammates. Graham saw some of that last year, and this year wants to create more opportunities for it to happen.
"Last year we kind of had a campfire, the kids kind of got around the campfire, nothing planned," Graham recalled. "Guys went down after practice to the creek where Pat Tillman used to jump off the ledge there. Obviously we climbed Mount Kush and all that, so we want to have time for team building stuff."
Graham is not allowing players to bring cell phones with them -- not that they would get much cellular service anyway.
Graham admitted there are concerns about field conditions. There were some holes in the field last year, he said, and staying healthy for the season is a paramount.
Redshirt junior quarterback Taylor Kelly did not participate in Monday's practice, which mostly featured scrimmaging. Graham said it was because Kelly had taken an elbow to the head during a walkthrough Sunday.
"We were simulating a handoff and a running back elbowed him, hit him in the forehead and cut his head," Graham said.
The cut required stitches, and Graham said Kelly could be back practicing Tuesday. With Kelly out, sophomore Mike Bercovici took first-team snaps.
ASU scrimmaged for the first time in fall camp Monday at Sun Devil Stadium. There were plenty of trouble spots and the scrimmage was light on offense, but Graham liked what he saw.
"Really good first scrimmage," Graham said. "I was really pleased with how the defense dominated the scrimmage."
Here's how the first teams lined up to start the scrimmage, followed by highlights and notes of the day:
-- Offense: QB Mike Bercovici, RB Marion Grice, TE Chris Coyle, RT Tyler Sulka, RG Vi Teofilo, C Kody Koebensky, LG Jamil Douglas, LT Evan Finkenberg, WR D.J. Foster, WR Richard Smith, WR Jaelen Strong.
-- Defense: DE Gannon Conway, DT Will Sutton, DT Jaxon Hood, Devil LB Carl Bradford, Spur LB Anthony Jones, Sam LB Steffon Martin, Will LB Chris Young, FS Laiu Moeakiola, FC Lloyd Carrington, BS Alden Darby, BC Osahon Irabor.
-- It's significant that Strong is already starting with the first-team offense. He missed the first three days of camp waiting to get academically cleared and then had to go two days without pads.
"He has come on quick," receivers coach DelVaughn Alexander said. "He's really smart and really focused. He has a lot of natural instincts when it comes to the game. It's just a matter of him getting used to what we do and how we do it."
-- Freshman receiver Ellis Jefferson also saw first-team action Monday and has been impressing coaches all camp. Graham mentioned at ASU's media day Saturday there was a chance for a freshman or two to start on offense; count Jefferson as one.
-- Over the past couple days an unexpected competition has taken shape at punter. Freshman Matt Haack was widely expected to step right into the role but he has been inconsistent, particularly with his timing. Walk-on Dom Vizzare hasn't been all that consistent either. Both had good and bad moments Monday.
"I thought the punting game was better today," Graham said. "It started off slow, we shanked about three of them there, but we're getting better at that."
-- Graham said Martin, who had an impressive interception, was one of Monday's standouts, but redshirt freshman linebacker Salamo Fiso also seems to have caught Graham's eye. Martin is the returning starter, but Graham said Fiso is right in the mix.
-- Junior Onyeali won't play defensive end this year, Graham said, because he's not a good fit size wise. He will remain a third-down pass rushing end and play some Devilbacker behind Bradford.
-- Graham said junior college linebacker Eriquel Florence could join the team in a few days. Florence has not been at practices while awaiting academic clearance.
-- Bercovici displayed more mobility and looked good passing at times but was intercepted three times (by Martin, Marcus Ball, Marlon Pollard). Ball security was a key issue in Kelly claiming the starting quarterback job a year ago.
-- Ball, a freshman, is competing to win the starting field safety job against Moeakiola and Damarious Randall, who is sidelined with a groin strain. Ball is showing a knack for vocal leadership on the field.
-- Defensive lineman Marcus Hardison, a junior college transfer, saw first-team action Monday as he tries to overtake Conway for the starting defensive end spot.
-- Freshman kicker Zane Gonzalez missed his first field-goal attempt but was perfect on each one after that.
