Still no QB solution for Sun Devils
Aug 19, 2012, 4:30 AM | Updated: 3:48 pm
CAMP TONTOZONA, Ariz — Some 5,142 fans showed up at Camp Tontozona just east of Payson Saturday to watch Arizona State’s football team scrimmage there for the first time since 2007. Many of them were hoping for head coach Todd Graham to announce who his starting quarterback will be when the Sun Devils host NAU August 30 in Tempe.
Those fans are going to have to wait a little longer.
No announcement was made following the scrimmage during which all three quarterback candidates made positive plays.
It was Michael Eubank, the redshirt freshman, who took the first snaps of the scrimmage, followed by sophomore Taylor Kelly and then sophomore Mike Bercovici.
Eubank displayed his impressive skill set, not only completing 12 of 16 passes for 96 yards and a touchdown throw to Rashad Ross, but also running for 106 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown.
Kelly, who has been leading the race for most of fall camp, completed 6 of 10 throws for 162 yards and two touchdowns. Bercovici connected on 10 of 14 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown, but he also threw the only interception of the scrimmage — a pick by junior cornerback Osahon Irabor.
“We’re gonna evaluate this tape and we’ll know where we’re at Monday,” Graham said following the scrimmage which was immediately followed by an autograph session and a torrential northern Arizona thunderstorm.
“Taylor’s come in and had an outstanding camp — he came in really as the third guy, and I think he’s had probably the best camp,” Graham added.
But Graham admitted Eubank, whom the head coach recruited heavily while he was the head coach at Pittsburgh, is too talented to keep off the field.
“I can’t see us not using two quarterbacks. I can’t see a scenario where we don’t use Eubank in certain situations,” he said. “If you ask me my opinion right now, we’ll probably end up using more than one quarterback — but we’ll have a primary guy, and we’ll let you know who that is Monday.”
All three quarterbacks played well Saturday, combining to complete 28 of 40 for 396 yards and four touchdowns. That equates to a QB rating of 181.16.
Notes
• The deep ASU running back corps was somewhat depleted Saturday as starter Cameron Marshall was held out of the action with a hamstring issue. Junior Deantre Lewis and Kyle Middlebrooks were also held out, and JC transfer Marion Grice was injured early in the scrimmage and did not return.
Others made the most of their chances, including freshman Terrell Davis — who looked a lot like his namesake when he was rumbling for a 75-yard touchdown run. Davis finished the day as the leading rusher, gaining 123 yards on 16 carries.
James Morrison, a favorite of Graham and the coaching staff because of his hard-nosed running style had 75 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.
• Graham said there weren’t any serious injuries in the scrimmage, although ASU didn’t come out completely unscathed in that department. In addition to Grice (turf toe), freshman wide receiver Rick Smith got banged up late in the proceedings with what looked like a right shoulder injury. Linebacker Carl Bradford left briefly with what appeared to be a hand issue.
