Political change was not the only transformation taking place on Election Day.
After giving up five sacks and committing six false start penalties against Oregon State on Saturday, the ASU football team’s offensive line was shuffled around during Tuesday’s practice.
Junior Shawn Lauvao moved from his normal position at left guard to right tackle, replacing junior Tom Njunge.
Stepping into Lauvao’s position at left guard was freshman Zach Schlink, one of a school-record 10 freshmen to play for the Sun Devils this season.
“Obviously we have to find the best combination,” coach Dennis Erickson. “We’ve had a lot of them.”
Erickson said the change did not necessarily indicate who the starters would be on Saturday, but the coach said he will continue to experiment with the lineup during this week’s practice.
“We’ve got four football games left and we have to find a way to win one as soon as possible,” he said.
Consistent carries key to DeWitty’s success
Senior quarterback Rudy Carpenter said the performance put in by junior running back Shaun DeWitty against OSU was due, in large part, to receiving consistent repetitions.
Erickson said he will continue to give DeWitty carries, who will make his second consecutive start this week against Washington.
“It always helps to get into a rhythm at any position,” DeWitty said.
DeWitty rushed for 110 yards against OSU, his first career 100-yard game and the highest total for a Sun Devil running back this season.
It was his first 100-yard rushing game since his senior year of high school, which came during a state playoff game in Colorado.
Kimbrough energizes offense
Senior wide receiver Nate Kimbrough’s punt returns gave the Sun Devil offense good field position against OSU.
Erickson said Kimbrough may reprise the role on Saturday against UW.
“Nate’s got a lot of enthusiasm,” Erickson said. “He’s making plays when he gets the chance so we have to get him opportunities, whether it’s returning punts or at wide receiver.”
Carpenter closes in on records
With six regular season games left as a Sun Devil, senior quarterback Rudy Carpenter has 9,835 career passing yards.
That number leaves him 782 yards short of ASU all-time passing leader Andrew Walter.
With 10 more touchdown passes, Carpenter would also tie Walter’s school-record mark of career touchdowns (85).
Carpenter’s 217-yard effort against OSU marked the first time he eclipsed the 200-yard mark since ASU’s game against Georgia on Sept. 20.
Injury note
Junior wide receiver Kyle Williams, who missed ASU’s game against OSU with a concussion, returned to practice for the Sun Devils on Tuesday and will play against UW.
Redshirt freshman James Brooks (ankle) worked out on the side but did not participate in team drills.
Brooks is questionable for Saturday.
Reach the reporter at nkosmide@asu.edu.
