The only apparent failure of the ASU football team’s first game was the absence of a consistent running game.

Despite rushing for less than 100 total yards Saturday, Erickson said Monday at his weekly press conference that he is not worried about the ground game just yet.

“It’s so early to tell,” Erickson said. “We’re looking at a game where we played [against] eight men in the box, so for me, it’s pretty hard to judge.”

Carpenter was the Sun Devils’ leading rusher against NAU with 40 yards on five carries. Junior running back Dimitri Nance had 11 carries for 30 yards and two touchdowns for ASU.

Erickson said that freshman running back Ryan Bass, who carried the ball twice for six yards against NAU, will continue to get playing time when ASU takes on Stanford Saturday.

McGaha plays through pain

Junior wide receiver Chris McGaha was productive in ASU’s season opener Saturday, despite missing the majority of fall camp with a toe injury.

He caught four passes for 58 yards against NAU.

“[McGaha] was [a] little sore yesterday, but didn’t have any further injury,” Erickson said.

Erickson added that he doesn’t think McGaha’s injury will get any worse as the season progresses.

Other injuries

Senior running back Keegan Herring missed Saturday’s game with a hamstring injury and Erickson said the status of his top running back remains unclear.

Erickson said that junior Shaun DeWitty, who also missed the NAU game with a bad hamstring, is questionable for Saturday’s contest.

Senior safety Angelo Fobbs-Valentino, who was injured during a special teams play on Saturday, will have an MRI on his knee Tuesday, Erickson said.

Reach the reporter at nkosmide@asu.edu