Freshman runningback Dimitri Nance ranks fourth on the ASU football team's depth chart, but last week his playing time and production were second to none.
Nance carried the ball 10 times for 61 yards during a 35-14 win over NAU, leading the team in both categories. He scored from six yards out to put up ASU's final points, capping off a 14-play drive - the team's longest of the game.
Although Nance comes to ASU as the No. 13 recruit in the nation among all-purpose running backs according to Rivals.com, even he was taken aback at his immediate playing time.
"I was a little surprised," Nance said. "I was on the sideline, and when I went in [the game] I had no idea I'd be in for that many plays straight."
Nance rushed for more than 3,000 yards at Trinity High School in Euless, Texas, a feat only Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson has accomplished as a 5A player in state history.
ASU coach Dirk Koetter said the team will maintain the same depth chart at running back that it used against NAU, and that the game plan will again include four running backs.
Sophomore Keegan Herring, sophomore Shaun DeWitty, junior Ryan Torain and Nance rank in order.
"It's a little hard to get into a rhythm [sharing time], but you just have to do what's best for the team," Nance said. "We have a lot to work on, and I think we're going to get all of our assignments and mistakes corrected."
Burgess won't play defense
Versatile wide receiver Rudy Burgess will not see time at cornerback against Nevada, Koetter said Wednesday. The junior from Edwards, Calif., led ASU in receiving against NAU, pulling down seven balls for 112 yards, including a 40-yard strike.
Koetter originally wanted to play Burgess at cornerback against NAU, but with an injury to sophomore wide receiver Mike Jones and a suspension of senior wide receiver Jamaal Lewis, Burgess was needed exclusively at receiver.
"Rudy's our most consistent wide receiver right now, so it's tough to mess around with that," Koetter said. "Plus we're healthy at corner and those guys all did a good job [last week]."
Koetter said Burgess did not practice at cornerback this week.
Captains announced
Senior right tackle Andrew Carnahan, senior defensive tackle Jordan Hill, junior defensive tackle Michael Marquardt and senior right guard Stephen Berg will be ASU's captains against Nevada.
ASU will rotate the duty on a weekly basis.
Reach the reporter at Steven.Bohner@asu.edu.
