ASU to sit Crosswell; S Markham to start
Arizona State freshman safety Kejuan Markham will start ahead of sophomore Aashari Crosswell on Saturday against Oregon State.
“I’ve got high standards on and off the field, and I will not waver,” ASU defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales said Wednesday of Crosswell practicing with the second team. He added that Crosswell’s status “has nothing to do with performance” without further elaboration.
Crosswell is expected to play after the first quarter against the Beavers.
Redshirt freshman safety Cam Phillips is not expected to play due to a concussion suffered last week against USC. Freshman safety Willie Harts (arm) practiced in a non-contact jersey Wednesday and is expected to play.
So the starting secondary vs. Oregon State will be Chase Lucas and Jack Jones at cornerback, Markham and Kobe Williams at ranger safety and Evan Fields at Tillman safety.
Williams, normally a starting corner, has played some of safety in recent games due to injuries and having Jones, a transfer from USC, as a quality corner opposite Lucas.
Markham (6-1, 189) will be making his first start. He played in ASU’s first five games then not in the next three before playing again vs. USC. He’s made seven tackles and has a fumble recovery.
Crosswell has started every game this season and 10 when he was a freshman. He has 40 tackles, one interception, one fumble recovery, three force fumbles and eight pass breakups.
Lucas talking again
Lucas, a junior three-year starter, spoke to the media for the first time in recent weeks Wednesday.
Lucas (6-0) and Jones (6-1) face another major challenge this week in Oregon State 6-foot-4 wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins, No. 5 nationally in receptions per game and No. 12 in receiving yards per game.
“He’s playing phenomenal year,” Lucas said.
“A lot things he’s being doing against some of the defenses is crazy. The scheme he is in is another good thing. When I know I’m going up against somebody like a (USC’s Michael) this
Pittman, Hodges. I know I have to buckle down. I stay in the films, watch what I can watch, try and get some tips and just play aggressive.”
USC jumped on ASU to lead 28-7 after the first quarter with the Trojans throwing for 297 yards and four touchdowns. After that, the Sun Devils regrouped on defense, giving up just three additional points in a 31-26 loss.
“It starts in practice,” Lucas said. “If you don’t come out with a big edge, if you don’t feel like you want to practice ... what coach Herm (Edwards) says is then get out. If you don’t want to go through what everyone else is going through to try and get where we want to get, you got to get out.
“Yesterday we came out hot, did that again today. Just got to keep finishing it up until Saturday.”
Gonzales said of Lucas (who has 39 tackles, one interception, one fumble recovery, two pass breakups): “Chase never played defensive back in high school. He’s got good instincts, it’s just now he’s getting into where every week it’s the same thing so he’s starting to get better in practice. From last year to this year, he’s improved dramatically.
“The luxury of being able to have him and Kobe and Jack out there, when they’re on, we’re really, really good.”
Gonzales loses his mother
Gonzales’ mother Becky, 69, died early Wednesday in Albuquerque, N.M. She was in critical condition in late October then recovered enough that the family expected her to be home for Christmas.
Instead, Gonzales said, she did not survive a second heart attack in 22 days.
“Thank you for all the prayers and thoughts,” Gonzales said.
“It is very touching. She is in a better place now. She’s not suffering anymore. She fought her tail off, super proud of her for that. She’s an amazing woman. I’m very blessed and lucky.”
Becky and her husband raised four children including Danny. She was an organ donor, which Danny said will provide help for 52 people.
“She’ll live on that way,” he said. “She was a big giver.”
Gonzales will coach this week and expects a memorial service to be held next week.