Arizona State expects WR Jaelen Strong back for Territorial Cup
Arizona State expects top wide receiver Jaelen Strong to return for Saturday’s rivalry game against Arizona. On the other hand, the Wildcats are not as cut and dry concerning the status of starting quarterback Anu Solomon.
In Strong’s case, offensive coordinator Mike Norvell said Monday that Strong has recovered from the concussion that held him out of last Saturday’s game against Washington State. Head coach Todd Graham expressed the same sentiment about the 6-foot-3, 212-pound junior, saying his presence is a huge boost to the Sun Devils’ offense.
“It makes us a lot better,” Graham said per Fox Sports Arizona. “He and D.J. (Foster) are two catalysts in what we do, so it’s going to be great to have him back. That’s going to help us tremendously.”
Strong, a Biletnikoff Award finalist who has registered 71 catches for 982 yards and nine touchdowns this season, suffered the concussion against Oregon State on Nov. 15. He warmed up with the team prior to the WSU game, but the training staff opted to hold him out.
With regards to Solomon (3,216 yards, 25 touchdowns and seven interceptions), who missed the second half against Utah on Saturday with an injured ankle, Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez said he would wait until Friday to name a starting quarterback for the Territorial Cup.
“Anu has been banged up for several weeks now, and he’s tried to fight through it,” Rodriguez said per the Arizona Republic. “If he cant go, we’ll go with Jesse (Scroggins), Jerrard (Randall) and Connor (Brewer) and the rest of the guys. We’ll try to get a couple first downs.”
When Solomon went out against the Utes, Scroggins filled in and completed 3-of-5 passes for 64 yards. If Solomon can’t go, Rodriguez expressed confidence in Scroggins.
“He made a couple of nice throws under pressure,” Rodriguez said. “He was composed and was seeing the field the way we wanted to.”
Arizona State is preparing as if Solomon, a dual-threat redshirt freshman, will play on Saturday. Graham spoke highly of Solomon and his ability to run Rodriguez’s offense.
"Man, he's done a tremendous job," Graham said. "Just a great operator of the offense, and his ability to extend plays, he really has a great knack for that. He's very elusive in the pocket, and you can tell he has a mastery of what they're trying to do. He does a great job."
In addition to in-state bragging rights, the Pac-12 South division could be up for grabs in this game. UCLA currently controls its own destiny and will clinch the division if it beats Stanford on Saturday. But if the Bruins lose, the winner of Arizona-Arizona State will represent the South in the Pac-12 title game against Oregon.
Both games kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.
For more Arizona news, visit GOAZCats.com.
For more Arizona State news, visit ASUDevils.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
