ASU coach Todd Graham expects Taylor Kelly back against Washington
Oct 20, 2014, 11:13 PM | Updated: 11:14 pm
Arizona State’s football team has been without its starting quarterback, Taylor Kelly, for three games because of a foot injury.
But according to head coach Todd Graham, the Sun Devils won’t have to wait much longer for Kelly’s return.
Graham said Monday he expects Kelly to start against Washington Saturday.
“I look for him to be able to hopefully progress and this’ll be the week that he’ll be back,” Graham said.
Mike Bercovici has filled in for Kelly, tossing 10 touchdown passes with just two interceptions at a 62 percent clip. The Sun Devils have gone 2-1 with Bercovici starting.
“We’ve got confidence in both those guys, and whatever we’ve got to do to win, that’s what we’re going to do,” Graham said.
Graham said Kelly went through practice and pregame warmups last week, but they agreed he wasn’t ready to play.
“I just watched him in pregame and I just didn’t think he was ready to play, and he didn’t either. He was very honest about that. He wanted to play, but he knew he wasn’t 100 percent and we don’t want to put him in jeopardy.”
Graham isn’t worried about Kelly’s mentality after being away for three games. He said his only concern was making sure he got his timing and rhythm back.
He praised Kelly’s attitude, calling him “the most selfless player that I’ve ever been around.”
“He’s a winner. If I was doing anything, I would hire him. Matter of fact, I encourage him every day, when he’s done playing football, I would love to try to get him to coach, because I’d hire him in a heartbeat.”
