ASU to build on strong ‘D’ unit
The Arizona State Sun Devils still don’t know if their Saturday Pac-12 showdown against California is on, but it’s not off yet either so coach Herm Edwards and his troop are proceeding.
ASU is coming of a 28-27 loss to South Division favorite USC Saturday morning in Los Angeles and it’s one extreme to another with this Saturday’s kickoff against California at Sun Devil Stadium slated for 8:30 p.m.
Cal’s game last week against Washington was canceled when one player tested positive for the coronavirus, which forced the whole position group into quarantine.
“Last time I checked my Palm Pilot we had a game,” Co-Defensive Coordinator Antonio Pierce said in his weekly session with the media. “We’re ready to go. We don’t worry about what ifs. It’s on the schedule, we’re playing until otherwise.”
The Sun Devils are bracing for a competitive showdown against the Bears, who have steadily improved in the four years under head coach Justin Wilcox.
Last season ASU defeated Cal 24-17. Cal quarterback Chase Garbers was knocked out with a shoulder injury late in the first half of a game that was tie 7-7.
Garbers missed the next four games. The Bears were 7-0 when he started and finished a game, 1-4 when he did not. So, the Sun Devils are prepared for a game.
“In our game the quarterback (Garbers) was playing well up to the point he got injured. We saw the backup quarterback and the game changed, went to more of a running game, not so much throwing,” Pierce said. “We think if they’re healthy and ready to go we expect them to throw the ball and be able to run it. They have a talented running back (Christopher Brown), does an outstanding job. His line is a veteran group. Big receivers on the outside. No different than we saw last week.”
While USC racked up 556 offensive yards, it took 95 plays. The Sun Devils were able to force four turnovers.
While pleased with the overall effort on that side of the ball Pierce singled out the spot in which his team has to do bet
ter. Cal converted 12 of 27 third or fourth down tries with three of the fourth down tries coming in the last two drives.
“Third downs, third-and-longs, fourth-and-longs. Situations where you expect to get off the field, give your offense either a short field or the ball back. That was the most critical part in that game to us, third-and-17, those fourth downs in the fourth quarter was critical,” Pierce said. Despite the tough loss Pierce said his team has turned the page.
“No one is very happy. You try and get your swag up. Its just human nature, like having a bad day at work. With any day, the hype, the exposure the way the game played out, there was some disappointment but you got to have that move on mentality. That goes for a play, a game. Cal is not going to feel sorry for us.”
Lucas play doesn’t go unnoticed
Chandler High product Chase Lucas had one of the better plays in Saturday’s game when he punched the ball away from USC wide receiver Tyler Vaughns who had just hauled in a 20-yard pass from Kedon Slovis. As Vaughns made the run for extra yardage Lucas knocked the ball free and it was recovered by Tyler Johnson at the ASU 39.
The Sun Devils went on to get a field goal out of the possession.
Pierce says his team practiced that exact skill on Wednesday.
“Chase Lucas played one of the best games in the time I have been here with him. His composure, the way he competed. That punch is something we work on every Wednesday, did it again today. Create turnovers. That’s our goal and Chase was a part of that.”
Robertson plays for father
Junior linebacker Merlin Robertson recorded 10 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery on Saturday which helped earn him Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week honors.
It was the first game for Robertson since the loss of his father in the spring and it was in his own backyard as one of the native Southern Californians on the squad. After the interception in the second quarter, he pointed up at the sky.
“I’m not going to lie, I was a little teary-eyed at first,” Robertson said, about his thoughts going into the game. “But I wanted to take care of business and contribute to my team.”
“That was the game he needed for his confidence,” Pierce said. “To prove, not to everyone else, but to himself that the work he did on and off the field, he showed it to everybody. When he plays that well he brings a certain energy and passion and mentality to our team. Merlin and (Darien) Butler are kind of the enforcers of that group. He makes those game-changing moments.”