Oregon deciding which signal-shielding defense to use against ASU
Oct 26, 2016, 4:18 PM
For the second straight week, Arizona State is encountering a team that is concerned with the Sun Devils stealing its signals.
When Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich met with the media Monday, ahead of the Ducks’ game with ASU, the conversation of signal stealing continued.
Helfrich confirmed he hopes to implement a signal defense, but he still isn’t quite sure what method he will use on Saturday. If he does know, he certainly isn’t telling anyone.
“We went through several different variations (last year), but it was mobile and you know, lightweight and useful, functional, and yeah, we’ll hopefully have something as effective this year,” Helfrich said.
Last season, Oregon utilized large white sheets to shield their signals from the ASU sideline.
Oregon’s game with ASU last year was the only time Helfrich has pulled such measures to defend his signals. Whether it’s Helfrich shielding his signs because ASU actually does a good job stealing signals, or if it’s Helfrich just playing it safe with accusations being thrown around, is yet to be determined.
Last week, Washington State Cougars head coach Mike Leach continued accusing ASU of stealing signals. Leading up to their game with the Sun Devils, Leach suggested ASU has a command center that was used to decrypt their opponents’ signals, and that they are very clever at stealing signs.
Last year, Leach made similar comments leading up to his team’s game with ASU, saying an investigation should be done to decide whether or not ASU is cheating. That came a week after Oregon used the white sheets to hide their play-calls.