After back-to-back games of topping the 100 yard mark on the ground, freshman running back Deantre Lewis may get rewarded with a start on Saturday.
“We are talking about starting Deantre Lewis this week,” Erickson said. “He has earned it.”
While Lewis may start, it is not a demotion for sophomore Cameron Marshall. Both will continue to see carries.
“Cameron Marshall is playing real well too,” Erickson said. “They are different backs, which is a good combination to have. Cameron is a tough runner and is a good pass-blocker. Deantre gives us more out in space, as does Jamal Miles. All three will play, so it won’t make a difference who the starter is.”
Lewis is currently eighth in the Pac-10 in rushing, and his 9.6 yards per carry is tops in the conference amongst running backs with enough carries to qualify.
Injury Update
Saturday’s game was a physical battle, but it appears that ASU made it out on the injury front without many serious issues.
Linebacker Vontaze Burfict and defensive tackle Lawrence Guy both went down multiple times on Saturday, but Erickson said both are fine and will play this week.
The only question mark for Saturday’s contest against Oregon State will be left tackle Dan Knapp. Knapp suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament in the first quarter last Saturday. He tried to return later in the quarter, but left for good after that.
Knapp is questionable for this week and will not practice until at least Thursday.
“[If Knapp can’t play] we’re going to move Evan Finkenberg to left tackle and play him there,” Erickson said. “We will give Andrew Sampson the opportunity to play right guard. We think he is a good football player who hasn’t had an opportunity there.”
Oregon State Connections
ASU’s coaching staff includes a lot of ties to OSU. Erickson was the head coach in Corvallis from 1999-2002, and both offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone and defensive coordinator Craig Bray have served on Beavers’ coaching staffs.
Bray’s son Trent was a standout linebacker at OSU from 2002-2005, earning First Team All Pac-10 honors in his senior year and finishing sixth all time in school history in tackles.
Now, Trent Bray serves as ASU’s linebackers’ coach and is the youngest assistant coach in the Pac-10.
“He has done a great job with the linebackers,” Erickson said of Trent Bray. “He has a lot of personalities there to deal with. This wasn’t the easiest job for him, but he has done a great job with them. They are very fundamentally sound. They listen to him and have great respect for him.”
Notes
Senior safety Max Tabach saw increased playing time on Saturday, something that Erickson says will continue for now.
“Max was very steady,” Erickson said. “He played 50 plays and played well. You will see a lot more of Max. He is very disciplined and physical.”
Junior wide receiver Gerell Robinson made his first impact of the 2010 season, catching seven passes for 94 yards.
“He had a great spring and fall camp,” Erickson said. “He is healthy now and is making plays. It’s great for him and great for us. When you have him and Michael Willie, that is two pretty big guys out there.”
The Sun Devils will not play another home game until Oct. 30th when they host Washington State. The last time ASU played three straight road games was in 1990. However, one of those games was in Japan, making 1988 the last time the Sun Devils played three consecutive true road games.
“It’s strange, and it will be a test for us,” redshirt junior quarterback Steven Threet said. “We’re excited about the opportunity, and we have three good opponents. We are really focused on Oregon State and the challenge they present.”
Reach the reporter at andrew.gruman@asu.edu
