For the first time since 2008, ASU coach Dennis Erickson doesn’t have a quarterback controversy hanging over his head as spring practice wraps up with the annual spring game.
It isn’t just the quarterback position either.
Up and down the ASU depth chart, the Sun Devils and Erickson have a pretty good idea who is at the top of the list at many positions.
This year spring football was more about finding out who can play behind the first unit.
“Those first guys we know what they can do,” Erickson said. “Now we need to find out who the backups are.”
That mentality has shown in playing time during the previous three spring scrimmages.
Expect that to stay the same on Saturday.
Erickson isn’t going to play his key players more than he has to after losing two starters due to knee injuries in spring practice.
While junior Brock Osweiler will enter the fall as the No. 1 quarterback, the spring game may go a long way in deciding who his backup is.
Redshirt freshman Taylor Kelly and 17-year-old freshman Mike Bercovici are pretty even going into the spring game.
Regardless of either’s performance Saturday, Erickson is unlikely to make a decision until the fall.
The quarterback position as a whole will be key to the offense’s performance on Saturday.
The defense has dominated the offense for most of spring practice, with the offensive unit showing signs of life toward the end of last Saturday’s scrimmage.
For Osweiler and the rest of the first offensive unit, it is important for them to wrap up spring practice with a strong showing in order to have some confidence when the real deal starts up in the fall.
The run game has been almost non-existent lately, after running the ball well earlier in the spring,
Erickson wants to see that part of the offense get going on Saturday. Don’t be surprised if Cameron Marshall and Kyle Middlebrooks get enough carries early to try and establish a ground game.
However, that may be difficult to do against a defense that not only knows every play and call the ASU offense makes, but is playing at a high level.
The key for the ASU defense is simple: continue doing what they have been doing. That is, flying to the football, making tackles and hitting hard.
There are certainly less questions in Erickson’s fifth spring game in charge of the program, but positive momentum is needed heading into a critical season that already is filled with hype.
Saturday could easily provide that for ASU and its fans.
Just don’t be surprised if Erickson plays it cautious, gets the starters their reps and gets them out of there fast.
Reach the reporter at andrew.gruman@asu.edu
SATURDAY’S GAME
ASU Football Spring Game
When: 10 a.m.
Where: Sun Devil Stadium
Spring game update: The spring game is scheduled to get underway at 10 a.m but an ASU official said Thursday the game may begin as early as 9:30 because the players don’t have positional meetings prior to the game.
The game is free to the public.
