Sun Devils aiming to showcase improvement in opener vs. New Mexico State
An ugly loss to arch-rival Arizona has lingered for eight months, but finally Todd Graham's Sun Devils have a chance to wash that feeling away.
TEMPE, Ariz. — Last season was a frustrating one for the Arizona State Sun Devils, and that’s putting it nicely.
After beginning the 2016 campaign with an encouraging 5-1 start, ASU fell completely flat. The Devils lost every single game down the stretch — including a completely uninspired effort against their rivals from Tucson in the finale — and finished with a mediocre 5-7 mark when the dust settled.
They’ve had to deal with the lingering disappointment from that performance for eight months now, but they finally get a chance to start putting the past behind them when they kick off the 2017 season on Thursday. A very beatable New Mexico State team is coming to town, and ASU is eager to turn the page.
“I feel better about everything about our football team,” head coach Todd Graham said on Monday. “I feel better about the coaching. I feel better about our preparation. I feel better about our fundamentals. I feel like we’re blocking and tackling better. And I just like what that produces.”
That’s a good vibe to have around the program in the days leading up to the opener, but the Sun Devils know they’ll have to do more than just talk a good game this year. Graham is stressing discipline, fundamentals and an internal focus — rather than getting too caught up in what the opposition might be doing — to his guys. And he’s reiterating the importance of taking care of the football on offense, while also finding ways to take it away on defense.
As it turns out, there are still some question marks on that defense. But ASU has some legitimate assets on offense, and many of them have the sort of experience that’s necessary to lead the way. Particularly in the backfield, where both Kalen Ballage and Demario Richard possess the ability to make big plays at any time. Now it’s just a matter of getting the absolute most out of both of them on a consistent basis.
“I’m excited about how those guys have worked,” Graham explained. “I think fundamentally, those two guys have improved as much as anybody in our program. And they’re pretty good players. So I like how our guys are working. I like how we’re coaching them too. We’re being the most demanding on the best players on the field.”
The Devils have many of their most winnable games coming up early in the season. And while that can be a good way for a team to build chemistry and momentum right out of the gate, they also want to avoid a repeat of 2016, when the wheels came right off.
So if they truly are better and plan on translating that improvement into wins, Thursday is the time to start. On the brink of a season that many feel could be Graham’s last as coach if things don’t turn around soon, ASU is well aware that powerhouses like Washington, USC and Stanford all litter the schedule in October. That means the best time to stack victories is now.
Related
Can Kenny Dillingham overcome challenges to keep momentum going at Arizona State?
LSU cancels home-and-home series with ASU
Cam Skattebo can’t quite stick landing on backflip during Fanatics Fest
ASU-Arizona Territorial Cup among top 5 rivalries in nation, study says
Too-early projected starting lineup for ASU football for 2026
What does ASU’s Cutter Boley need to show in fall camp to lock down starting QB job?
Comments
2 Comments
Did you get to see the closed scrimmage on 8/19? Manny actually looked pretty good. From what I understand, he's looked like the better QB throughout the entire competition.
This doesn't sound like a case of Graham playing favorites. Which there's honestly only been one other time you can remotely say that happened, and it was when Graham went to an unhealthy Taylor Kelly over a streaking Mike Bercovici. This sounds more like a case of Blake Barnett not having a firm grasp on the offense. Nothing wrong with that either; it's a complicated offense.
Manny Wilkins in Game 1, will no doubt "showcase" that CTG is again playing favorites. I pray that his reign as starting QB comes to a quick conclusion this year. I am concerned how he will react if he loses the starting role.
This is a fragile program who has had losing seasons the last 2 years in a row. ASU didn't sign one recruit out of California last year. That can't continue if CTG wants to keep his job. I know Ray and Crow don't want to fire him, that they appreciate how he's changed the culture in the locker room, but ultimately its about winning games and you can't do that if your QB can't see the field, and therefore can't play at a Pac-12 level.
I sincerely hope I'm wrong, but If Manny "showcases" that he's not a Pac-12 QB again this year, then CTG is going to be out of job (but still with a very healthy bank account) and ASU's football program may sink to depths that could take them a long time from which to recover. Horrible QB play, like what they got from Manny last year, demoralizes the entire team, the fan base and recruits. CTG has the No. 1 QB recruit, and it just seems idiotic to have him start/favor a guy who has already reached his ceiling.