Sun Devil Notes: Ballage a celebrity; White ailing
Sep 13, 2016, 3:27 PM | Updated: 11:10 pm
Arizona State's Kalen Ballage scores one of his eight touchdowns against Texas Tech, during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, in Tempe, Ariz. Arizona State defeated Texas Tech 68-55. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
TEMPE, Ariz. — Kalen Ballage is adapting to life as a celebrity. Ever since the Arizona State running back broke school and Pac-12 records, and tied an NCAA record with eight touchdowns in a 68-55 win over Texas Tech on Saturday at Sun Devil Stadium, he has been downright popular.
Aside from the media requests from ESPN’s SportsCenter, ESPN Pac-12, Pac-12 Networks, the Denver Post, SiriusXM National Radio, NBC Sports Radio’s national morning show, every radio show in the Valley, several Texas outlets, Channel 12 and about 20-25 print/digital outlets, he also heard from notable ASU alumni such as Houston Rockets swingman James Harden, Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict and Houston Texans receiver Jaelen Strong.
HUGE S/O to Kalen Ballage for handling business tonight!!! @FootballASU #PAC12 #record #ForksUp #ASU ?????
— James Harden (@JHarden13) September 11, 2016
Kalen Ballage
— Strizzy (@JaelenStrong) September 11, 2016
WHITE AILING
Tim White was limited in practice on Tuesday after missing the fourth quarter against Texas Tech. Sun Devils offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey said the team is still hopeful he will play in the team’s first road game of the season on Friday at Texas San Antonio.
“Tim White was better today,” Lindsey said. “I think he’s going to be fine but we’re definitely kind of taking a cautious approach with him. He was out there in practice today so we feel pretty good about him.”
White is 10th in the nation in all-purpose yards per game at 195. He leads ASU in receptions (15) and receiving yards (135) and ranks 31st in the nation in yards per kickoff return (24.8).
INJURY UPDATES
Linebacker Christian Sam (ankle) and defensive lineman George Lea (unknown) did not participate in individual drills on Monday. Their status is unclear for Friday’s game. Sam did not play against Texas Tech after suffering the injury against Northern Arizona.
EXTRA POINTS
• With Saturday’s win, Todd Graham improved to 10-0 in non-conference home games. Included in that record are wins over Illinois, Wisconsin, Notre Dame and Texas Tech.
• Ballage (56 points) and kicker Zane Gonzalez are ranked No. 1 and No. 14 (tie, 12 points) nationally in the nation in scoring.
• In 28 regular season home games under Graham, the Sun Devils have averaged 43.4 points.
• Graham said Monday that the GPS technology the team uses during games showed that his starting cornerbacks ran 4½ miles in coverage against Texas Tech.
