He’s got the swagger of a veteran.
But when Brock Osweiler runs out of the Pat Tillman tunnel Thursday against UC Davis, it’ll be for the first time as a starter.
The ASU junior quarterback played in seven home games during his freshman and sophomore seasons, but none as the first string signal caller.
Now, he’ll lead the Sun Devils (0-0) head on into arguably the most important season in Tempe since the Jake Plummer era.
“It’s exciting to think what could potentially happen this year,” Osweiler said. “This has been a dream and goal of mine since I was five years old and to live it every day is awesome.”
First up is UC Davis.
“They are well coached, you don’t see many mistakes,” Osweiler said. “They play hard and have high motors. I expect a well disciplined team.”
The Aggies (0-0) went 6-5 last season but lost to California in their 2010 season opener 52-3.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for that program over the years,” ASU coach Dennis Erickson said. “They’ve had some good quarterbacks go through that program. You’ll see them in four wide (receiver sets) because they like to throw the football.”
UC Davis averaged 21.2 points per game a year ago, with most of its offense coming in the air.
Sophomore quarterback Randy Wright threw for 2432 yards and 14 touchdowns.
That means there’ll be plenty of opportunities for the vaunted Sun Devil defense to show its teeth.
ASU ranked eighth in the nation in 2010 in tackles for loss with 71, but expects to be even more imposing this season.
“We’re more consistent overall,” redshirt senior linebacker Colin Parker said. “That extra year makes a big difference. We’ve all played enough together over the spring because of the experience factor.”
Offensively, the Sun Devils averaged 32.25 points per game last year while UC Davis allowed 26.8.
And with ASU now in its second season under offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone, Thursday could see a lot of fireworks in Sun Devil Stadium.
“The sky is the limit,” Osweiler said. “We’re a fast break time on grass. We’re trying to get as many plays as possible. Once the whistle is blown, we’re trying to go.”
The Sun Devils’ no-huddle offense is one that thrives on the readiness of its players, so the communication from the sideline to the huddle is key.
“In about 3-4 seconds I read the hand signals to get the play,” Osweiler said. “It’s a pretty efficient process.”
It’s a process that takes months of preparation, and Erickson believes his quarterback will do well with it Thursday in ASU’s season opener.
“I’m extremely confident in how he’s going to execute,” he said. “He’s proven himself in a couple football games; it’s enabled him to have confidence. I’m anxious to see him operate.”
And to help Osweiler will be the returning players around him with plenty of experience to smooth over any bumps in the road.
“When you have seniors that have been through all this before, I expect them to not make the same mistakes,” Erickson said. “Our team corrects itself, as opposed to keeping their mouths shut and letting things go.”
Reach the reporter at tyler.emerick@asu.edu
