Arizona State not taking FCS foe Northern Arizona lightly in upcoming season opener
The Arizona State Sun Devils might be opening the season at 7 p.m. on Thursday against an FCS competitor in Northern Arizona, but they are not taking the Lumberjacks lightly.
The 21-19 win NAU had over Arizona last year was probably enough to get the Sun Devils attention, but with the all the turmoil surrounding the ASU program in the last year, the Sun Devils aren't in position to take any opponent for granted anyway.
The Sun Devils boast a roster with 43 newcomers. They return just seven starters, four of those on defense. So most of the major contributors to last season's 8-5 showing have moved on. There are a lot of hungry players who served as backups last year eager for a chance to prove themselves.
"We're ready to go. Nobody's taking who we're playing lightly and everybody's just working," sophomore wide receiver Chad Johnson said. "Herm (Edwards, head coach) is reminding us about that. They're not Pac-12, but we have to come out and smack them in the mouth first and hopefully we'll come out with the win."
This will be the 41st meeting between the programs but the first since 2016 when ASU prevailed 44-13. That game was closer than the score indicates, though. ASU only led 13-6 midway through the third quarter and 20-6 to start the fourth.
Edwards met with the media on Monday as he usually does, although the game being Thursday means a shortened week. He reminded those on hand of that game, although it was two years before he arrived in Tempe.
The coach says he has been impressed with the strides the program has made under Ball, who previously was on staff at ASU under Todd Graham.
"When you watch how they play offensively and defensively, Coach (Chris) Ball has done a good job over there. They beat Arizona last year and I know they'll be excited about playing the Sun Devils," Edwards said. "We anticipate a team that will come in here with a lot of energy, some new players as well."
Edwards harped on the penalties that plagued his team last year and reaffirmed that has been a point of emphasis. But he also acknowledges there is a lot of pent up energy that comes with a lot of players competing in a new uniform for the first time.
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"There's a lot of anxiety on this team right now about wanting to pay a football game," he said. "Some new coaches. They have some anxiety as well so I think it's a unique situation for all of us to come in our home, play in our stadium, But we're going to have to play good and it starts as soon as the ball is kicked either way. We got to play good and have the mindset that we have to play for four quarters, so that's what we're looking forward to."
Players say their coach doesn't need to remind them about overlooking an opponent, even if it is one that is coming off a 5-6 season with a 4-4 finish in the Big Sky that was only good enough for seventh place.
"We try to have faceless opponents, especially on the offensive line," right tackle and team captain LaDarius Henderson said. "You don't want to (wait to) play better when you have better competition. If you have any aspirations to play in the NFL you got to play everybody your best right?"
"They played Arizona last year. We saw what they did. They're a team that deserves to be respected but were going to do our job up front and that should take care of the rest."
Injury updates
The season may not have officially started but the Sun Devils are already shorthanded. Edwards announced that nickelback Jordan Clark (knee), cornerback Timarcus Davis (knee) and defensive end Gharin Stansbury (hamstring) will not play, but he hopes they'll be available the following week to play at Oklahoma State when the Sun Devils hit the road for the first time.
With Davis and Clark, both potential starters, sidelined, secondary coach Aaron Fletcher has been preparing the understudies who have played multiple positions in the unit.
The Sun Devils released a depth chart Monday and redshirt sophomore Ed Woods will start in place of Davis with D.J. Taylor in for Clark.
“That's kind of my M.O. That’s what I’ve always done," Fletcher said. "I’ve always been a guy that has preached versatility. Just my background, you know, as a high school coach, that’s what you did, you developed what you had. And you also made sure that you talked in a way to where everybody understood what was going on. Speak different languages, so to speak, you know what I mean? And you were able to get different guys out and buy in to different things and that’s been great for us. The buy-in has been phenomenal.”
Offensive lineman Emmit Bohle, who was fighting for a starting spot at left tackle with Isaia Glass, returned to practice Sunday but that time out has helped propel Glass into the starting spot.
Added to the mix now is defensive end Joe Moore who did not practice Monday. His absence would be critical because he was likely going to see considerable time after the loss of starter Michael Matus to a season ending torn ACL.
Reach the reporter at Michelle.Gardner@gannett.com or 602 444-4783. Follow her on Twitter @MGardnerSports.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona State not taking FCS foe Northern Arizona lightly in upcoming season opener
