Sun Devil notes: Moeakiola amenable to ever-changing role

TEMPE, Ariz. — Sun Devils head coach Todd Graham announced Monday that Laiu Moeakiola would move to spur linebacker after starting the season at bandit safety because he stabilizes the defense at that position, but on Tuesday, Graham clarified those remarks.

“Laiu will play both, based on what package we are in,” Graham said.

Moeakiola took the news in stride.

“It was kind of second nature to me because I’ve been there so much,” Moeakiola said of moving back to spur. “Whatever I’m called to do I’m going to do it because the biggest joy I got out of it was seeing that W; we were 3-0.”

When Moeakiola is at spur, Graham said juniors J’Marcus Rhodes, Chad Adams and possibly freshman Kyle Williams would replace him in the secondary. Williams was taking some first-team reps on Tuesday.

“I really like what I’ve seen from Kyle,” Graham said. “If he would have been over there the whole camp, he would probably be playing by now. He is really a smart, gifted athlete but he’s just learning. I think he’ll definitely play before the year’s out.”

SUCCESS WITH SPARKY

Here’s how successful Arizona State’s Sparky Formation has been this season. In two games, the Sun Devils have lined up in the formation 12 times with running back Kalen Ballage taking the direct snap. Ballage has scored a rushing touchdown on seven of those snaps, and when he didn’t score a touchdown, he gained enough yards for a first down on two of those snaps.

So of the 12 carries Ballage has gotten out of the formation, he’s rushed for 34 yards, seven touchdowns and two additional first downs.

Here’s a look at each carry.

ASU 32, UTSA 28
4th Quarter

— 5:14 3rd & 2 from the UTSA 15 – Ballage rush right for 7 yards to the UTSA8, 1st down ASU

— 4:39 1st and goal at UTSA 08 – Ballage rush left for 4 yards to the UTSA4

— 4:03 2nd and goal at UTSA 04 – Ballage rush up middle for 1 yard to the UTSA3

— 3:20 1st and goal at UTSA 02 – Ballage rush right for a 2 yard touchdown

ASU 68 Texas Tech 55
2nd Quarter

— 13:19 2nd and goal at TTU 01 – Ballage rush for a 1 yard touchdown

— 8:35 1st and goal at TTU 01 – Ballage rush for a 1 yard touchdown

— 2:21 1st and goal at TTU 04 – Ballage rush for a 4 yard touchdown

3rd Quarter:

— 8:39 3rd and goal at TTU 01 – Ballage rush for a 2 yard touchdown

— 0:50 3rd and 3 at TTU 07 – Ballage rush for a 7 yard touchdown

4th Quarter:

— 11:01 1st and goal at TTU 01 – Ballage rush for a 1 yard touchdown

— 4:47 3rd and 3 at TTU 32 – Ballage rush for 2 yards to the TTU30

— 4:01 4th and 1 at TTU 30 – Ballage rush for 2 yards to the TTU28, 1st down ASU

EXTRA POINTS

— Wide receiver/kick returner Tim White participated in individual drills on Tuesday. Graham said Monday that White is expected to play against Cal on Saturday.

— In addition to getting linebacker Salamo Fiso back this week from a suspension, Graham said defensive lineman George Lea will be back after practicing on Tuesday. He also hopes to have injured linebacker Christian Sam in the lineup, saying that Sam is the “only one that’s questionable.”

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