After nine practices to start fall camp, Arizona had its first full-contact scrimmage Wednesday. The Sun Devils ran 39 scripted plays at the Kajikawa practice fields. Results were mixed.
"Some goods and bads on both sides," coach Dennis Erickson said. "The first couple series the No. 1 defense pretty much dominated, and then the offense came back and made some big plays. Consistency offensively wasn't there like I had hoped. But that's the first time we went 40 plays. We'll know a heck of a lot more Saturday when we go for a longer period of time."
Observations:
- The Sun Devils had luck with deep passes, particularly down the middle. Receiver Aaron Pflugrad slipped behind safety Eddie Elder for a 40-yard touchdown pass from Brock Osweiler. Chris Coyle caught another 35-yard Osweiler pass and Rashad Ross caught a 52-yard pass from reserve quarterback Taylor Kelly.
- Of course, the flip side of the long gains: breakdowns in the secondary, something that plagued ASU last season. The defense also gave up a 35-yard run from junior Cameron Marshall.
- Osweiler was under control, completing 9 of 12. (Yardage stats were not kept.) The offensive line, which returns all five starters, held up in protection, but it's important to note that two of the team's more disruptive defensive linemen, tackle Will Sutton and end Junior Onyeali, didn't participate because of minor injuries.
Injury update
Erickson said redshirt freshman cornerback Devan Spann - who has dislocated his left shoulder twice in camp - will work to strengthen the shoulder over the next couple of weeks.
"Hopefully he can make the season with that thing," Erickson said. "Some guys can play a whole year with something like that, (and) some guys can't play at all. It's an injury in football that has really raised its ugly face in the last 10 years."
Several ASU players had similar issues last season. Onyeali, receiver Mike Willie and safety Keelan Johnson were among those who played through it. Cornerback Deveron Carr suffered a more serious injury and had to have surgery.
Before the injury, Spann was expected to contribute at cornerback, a position at which the Sun Devils lack depth and experience.
Versatile lineman
Redshirt-freshman tackle Jamil Douglas spent a lot of time at second-team left guard during the scrimmage.
Erickson said the Sun Devils have depth at tackle so they're experimenting with personnel. Senior tackle Dan Knapp also has spent time at guard.
"It's cool," Douglas said. "We have some key injuries (Adam Tello) at guard right now, so coach just wants me comfortable playing there. The biggest adjustment is probably ... at tackle, I have to be more patient. I have to wait for the defensive end to come to me. At guard, it's like the D-tackle is right there, so I need to have quick feet."
