ASU QB Daniels’ status vs. Oregon St. still undecided
The Arizona State football fan base might not have known what to expect out of backup quarterback Joey Yellen, but coach Herm Edwards sees him every day so he knew.
And, he wasn’t surprised the understudy delivered a strong performance although ASU lost to visiting USC, 31-26, on Saturday.
The loss was the third in a row for ASU (5-4, 2-4 in Pac-12 play) which now focuses on Saturday’s road game against much-improved Oregon State (4-5, 3-3) — a team which has already won twice as many games as it did all of last year.
It is too early in the week to know if Yellen or Jayden Daniels will start against the Beavers.
Monday is a traditional off day so Edwards will start evaluating the situation when the Sun Devils return to the practice field Tuesday.
“I’m hoping he (Daniels) can get through practices. Last week he practiced a little bit but couldn’t quite get through it so we’ll see this week where he’s at,” Edwards said during his weekly Monday afternoon briefing with the media. “Hopefully he can make it through practice and if he can that’s a good sign for us. That will mean he can have an opportunity to play.”
Daniels was sidelined with a knee injury he suffered two weeks ago when his leg was twisted in an awkward manner while he was being dragged down by UCLA linebacker Josh Woods.
Daniels left for one play but came back and was in for the remainder of the game.
Because the Sun Devils had a bye, the ASU staff was able to keep Daniels uncertain status under wraps. It wasn’t until late in the week word trickled out that the starter might not be available.
Yellen did an admirable job in relief, completing 28 of his 44 passes for 292 yards, four touchdowns with two passes intercepted.
He showed a lot of composure in helping the team pull out of a 28-7 deficit. ASU had the ball back for a potential go-ahead drive in the final minute but couldn’t pull off the comeback.
Edwards said he had the same confidence in Yellen he has in all his rookies.
“It was really no different than the other 20 guys that play except he’s playing quarterback,” Edwards said “I didn’t bother him all week I waited until game day. And I went up to him in the locker room and I told him, ‘Hey, I’m going to tell you one thing.’ And he looked at me, and Joey kind of looks and he’s waiting for this big speech like I was going to tell him, ‘Don’t …’ I just said, ‘Hey, have fun man. Go sling that thing around.’ And he smiled. And I just said, ‘Go have fun man. Play football, you know how to do this.’ ”
After the game offensive coordinator Rob Likens was optimistic about Daniels’ chances of returning this week and Edwards was equally optimistic in a radio interview earlier Monday.
Some have questioned why Yellen has not been given playing time in any other games, even in a mop up role which would have better prepared him for the start.
Likens said he has felt that as a true freshman, Daniels has needed the game reps. The Sun Devils also haven’t had the luxury of blow out games which would afford that opportunity.
While the Sun Devils have not addressed the possibility of red-shirting Yellen, that is usually what happens when a school brings in more than one recruit at that position in the same class.
Players are now allowed to play in four games and still maintain the redshirt year.
No matter who the starter is this week the Sun Devils are looking to get off to a better start and eliminate mistakes. They have been outscored this season 73-31 in the fist quarter and in the four games they have lost they have been outscored 57-14.
“We’ve gotten down early in some games and we’ve had to fight our way back. Those are the four that we’ve lost so far. It was just the same pattern. That and really self-destructing,” he said. “I said it after the game and now that more that I look at it, it holds true. The Sun Devils are beating the Sun Devils.”
“I’m hoping he (Daniels) can get through practices. Last week he practiced a little bit but couldn’t quite get through it, so we’ll see this week where he’s at.”