Freshman linebacker Christian Sam practices in Tempe on Sept. 10. With Spurlinebacker Laiu Moeakiola injured, Sam is stepping up. (Photo by Alexis Macklin)
Depending on the severity of Taylor Kelly and Laiu Moeakiola's injuries, it might have just been a quarter for Mike Bercovici and Christian Sam. But that's just for now, as they're both likely in ASU's future.
When healthy, there's no question that Kelly is the quarterback and Moeakiola is the Spur. When both were out with injury on Saturday night, however, ASU offered a glimpse into the future.
Kelly, a redshirt senior, won't be back next season. And while Moeakiola is only a redshirt sophomore, Sam might force coach Todd Graham's hand and make him find a spot for him in the starting lineup as soon as next season.
The defense's future with Sam looked brighter than the offense's with Bercovici. Sam came in the game and made an instant impact.
The true freshman was all over the field, making five tackles, including one sack, and getting an interception. The defense gave up more points with Sam on the field than with Moeakiola, but that's more of an indictment of the defense as a whole than it is Sam.
Sam is just another young face on what is already one of the youngest in the nation. Moeakiola was named a caption as a redshirt sophomore and first-year starter, with Graham saying with a team this young, it doesn't matter what year someone is, anyone can provide leadership.
Redshirt junior Mike Bercovici places a football for a kicker at a practice on Aug. 16 at Camp Tontozona. Bercovici will fill in for injured starting quarterback Taylor Kelly. (Photo by Fabian Ardaya)Bercovici, on the other hand, led ASU's offense to a whopping zero points.
It's not all bad. He did come in with the Sun Devils leading in the fourth quarter. Surely, his only instructions were to not lose the game. And he didn't.
The redshirt junior backup quarterback only threw for eight yards on 2-of-4 passing, but he did prove he's able to manage the game well enough to keep getting junior running back D.J. Foster the ball.
The ASU offense was far more run-focused than pass with Bercovici in the game. Part of the reason was likely that ASU was trying to milk the clock and get out of Boulder, Colorado, without sustaining any more injuries.
Nonetheless, the Sun Devils had a 2:1 pass-to-run ratio with Bercovici, versus a ratio close to fifty-fifty with Kelly.
If Kelly is out for any amount of time, Foster is going to have to shoulder the load more than he already does. It could open the door for impressive freshmen running backs Demario Richard and Kalen Ballage to get more touches, too.
Richard had two carries and Ballage had a catch in the Colorado game -- both of Richard's carries came after Kelly had left. If Kelly and Moeakiola's injuries turn out to be serious, and they miss time, it will be Bercovici and Sam filling in. But even if Kelly and Moeakiola are both back for UCLA, this isn't the last you'll see of Bercovici and Sam.
Morning after links
State Press: Taylor Kelly, Laiu Moeakiola’s injuries put dark cloud over ASU football
State Press: ASU football overcomes injuries, up-and-down performance to win at Colorado
azcentral: Taylor Kelly's injury mars ASU's win over Colorado
azcentral: ASU starting to win Pac-12 road games
FOX Sports: Kelly's injury overshadows ASU win over Colorado
ESPN: Pac-12 helmet stickers: Week 3
2014 season in photos
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Reach the reporter at ewebeck@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @EvanWebeck
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