ASU ready for, wary of ‘explosive’ NAU
Todd Graham has made it clear throughout his 10 years as a college head coach: These are the games – the ones everyone thinks you should win – that scare him most.
The Sun Devils on Saturday open Graham’s fifth ASU season against lower-division Northern Arizona at partially reconstructed Sun Devil Stadium. The Lumberjacks finished 7-4 last season, but are projected to make a significant leap. Big Sky coaches and conference media both picked them to win this season’s conference. In addition, NAU is No. 18 in both of
the major preseason FCS polls.
“We had a very physical camp, and we have a great opponent coming up against NAU,” Graham said Monday. “They went (7-4) last year, and very easily could have been a team to win 10 games.”
Since 1939, ASU has dominated NAU, winning 13 of 14, the only non-win coming in a 13-13 tie in 1946. At the same time, it’s hard to know what to expect of this season’s Sun Devils.
When they take the field Saturday, they will do so with a new quarterback and rebuilt offensive line, all under the direction of a first-year offensive coordinator. There’s bound to be hiccups.
Defensively, ASU will face an NAU offense that’s expected to test its unproven secondary. Sophomore quarterback Case Cookus last year was a thirdteam All-American and the national FCS freshman of the year. He finished his first season ranked second nationally both in passing efficiency and passing touchdowns. His top target: Junior Emmanuel Butler, a Phoenix Mountain Pointe product who last season earned All-America recognition after catching 64 passes for 1,208 yards and 15 touchdowns.
“We have studied them well, and we know their coaching staff,” Graham said. “They are well coached and they have talent. The kid Emmanuel Butler dominates at wide receiver and then of course, Case Cookus at quarterback. The two of them have this ability to always know where the ball will be located. The strength of their offense is explosive, and they’re a very formidable opponent.”
No word on QB starter
Graham did not officially name a starting quarterback, but all signs point toward sophomore Manny Wilkins, who last week operated the first team during the parts of practice open to media. An unknown: If the Sun Devils plan to work in redshirt freshman Brady White in a sort of two-quarterback system.
“We have two guys that we have a lot of confidence in,” Graham said.
This will mark the first time since he arrived in Tempe that a quarterback Graham signed will start. (Previous ASU quarterbacks Taylor Kelly and Mike Bercovici both signed under former coach Dennis Erickson.) In addition, ASU and Tulane are the only FBS/FCS schools without a quarterback who has thrown a pass on the college level.
Depth chart
ASU released its first depth chart of the season. There weren’t many surprises.
The position battle on offense, in addition to quarterback: Freshman N’Keal Harry is listed as battling junior Ellis Jefferson for a starting receiver spot. Harry last week ran with the starters during the parts of practice open to media.
Defensively, the depth chart shows several position battles. At nose tackle, senior Viliami Latu is battling redshirt freshman George Lea, although Lea has been limited recently with a minor injury. At bandit safety, senior Laiu Moeakiola battles junior Chad Adams, although Moeakiola has been out with a hamstring injury.
In addition, the depth chart shows battles going on at linebacker, but most of that depends on ASU’s game plan for a particular opponent. Senior Salamo Fiso, junior Christian Sam and junior DJ Calhoun are expected to get the most time.