Arizona State’s 63-6 win over Northern Arizona was brought to you by the number eight.
The Sun Devils’ season opener Thursday seemed as pleasant as a day on Sesame Street with the help of true freshman running back D.J. Foster and redshirt senior linebacker Brandon Magee.
Foster, a coveted recruit out of Saguaro High, lived up to the hype in his first collegiate game. He danced around the field breaking tackles and led the team with 67 yards on eight carries.
“It felt good,” Foster said of his first collegiate action. “It was a lot of pressure and a lot of nerves building up, but my teammates helped me. From the hotel and everything, I felt relaxed when I came out here.”
Likely his easiest carry Thursday, Foster got his first career touchdown in the second quarter. Behind junior tight end Chris Coyle and junior defensive end Davon Coleman lined up at fullback, Foster reached the end zone untouched.
“They make it hard and I think our defense helped us a lot at camp,” he said. “Playing against our defense I felt was a lot harder than what we played against tonight.”
Foster also showed off his hands as a receiver. The freshman grabbed another four catches and collected another 32 yards.
“Our offensive line played great,” Foster said. “Those holes were wide open.”
He had more yards at halftime, 95, than the Lumberjacks (0-1), 92.
To add insult to injury, Magee had as many touchdowns as NAU.
Magee intercepted NAU senior quarterback Cary Grossart’s pass in the second quarter and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown.
During the return, Magee showed off his speed and even shed a tackle following the impressive catch.
“I saw a lot of open space and I saw a guy try to tackle me on the left and gave him the stiffy (stiff arm),” Magee said. “And then I ran into the end zone like I’ve been there before.”
Except, he hasn’t been there before. It was his first career interception returned for a touchdown.
Magee can’t recall if he’s ever scored on an interception in his life. Not a bad way to come back from a season-ending injury.
Magee injured his Achilles tendon during preseason camp and missed all of last season. He used his medical redshirt to return this year and the captain quickly made his impact felt.
“My Achilles felt great,” Magee said. “It’s not bothering me right now, but we’ll see tomorrow morning when I wake up how I feel. But I’ll be back out there next week to get another ‘W.’”
Though just a freshman, Foster appears to be an important piece in the offense for the Sun Devils. It goes without saying Magee is the clear-cut leader on defense.
Don’t think Magee doesn’t give Foster a hard time on his number choice.
Magee told Foster his respect needed to be earned on the field, which Magee said Foster played up to the number Thursday.
“He came out and showed me what he could do from the jump and I’m proud of the little kid,” Magee said. “He’s like my little brother wearing number eight.”
Foster said Magee respects the number well and hopes to do the same on the offensive side.
“The history of Gerell Robinson having it last year, it’s definitely a good number I’m just trying to live up to,” Foster said.
With both players rocking the number eight jerseys, expect them to be a strong force on both sides of the ball this season.
And in Foster’s case, for years to come.
“I’m number one, he’s number two,” Magee said of the number eight rankings. “He’ll take over next year for sure.”
Reach the reporter at Master.Tesfatsion@asu.edu
