Redshirt junior quarterback Mike Bercovici takes his first snaps with the first team at Tuesday's practice. (Photo by Evan Webeck)It was practice as usual Tuesday morning for ASU football, though it occurred without two prominent players.
Redshirt senior quarterback Taylor Kelly and redshirt sophomore linebacker Laiu Moeakiola were both still out Tuesday with injuries suffered against Colorado on Saturday. Moeakiola was in a green no-contact jersey but didn't have a sling or brace on his arm or shoulder. Kelly, on the other hand, wasn't seen until after the portion open to the media, when he was leaving the Verde Dickey Dome on crutches, still wearing a boot on his right foot.
Moeakiola hasn't been ruled out of next Thursday's UCLA game, but if he is, it will be freshman Christian Sam stepping in for him. Kelly will not play versus UCLA, and redshirt junior Mike Bercovici will make his first career start. Thus, the spotlight was on him after practice.
"This world is based off performance," Bercovici said. "Everybody wants to be the guy. Everybody wants to be the guy with the camera in their face."
And that was case Tuesday. Although it was a different quarterback speaking to the media, it was seemingly the same quarterback running 11-on-11 drills. Offensive coordinator Mike Norvell said despite the change in quarterback, the offense is going to remain largely the same.
Bercovici has been practicing the Norvell-Graham offense for as long as Kelly, and although they possess slightly different skill sets, each is able to run the offense similarly. The biggest difference for Bercovici is going to be running it with the first team, instead of the second team. That's not something that worries him, though, as he credits Norvell for getting him enough first-team reps in his time at ASU to feel comfortable with it. It also helps having an additional week to prepare.
"I think that is key: To get that time, to get those first-team reps," Norvell said. "Being able to get out there and execute with (redshirt junior receiver) Jaelen (Strong) and (sophomore receiver) Cameron (Smith). We try to balance it pretty good throughout, so he does have a great relationship with those guys."
It's not easy for Bercovici to see his teammate get injured. It's even harder for him, knowing that he's getting his opportunity because of the misfortune of another. But because of his close relationship with Kelly, he's been able to balance his emotions.
"It's definitely difficult," Bercovici said. "It's obviously different for the team, and obviously, I have an emotional attachment. ... We have a great relationship. I'm always talking to him. But obviously, for the current situation, we can't think like that right now. We have to move forward. ... I'm excited. I'm ready to move this team down the field."
Sam stepping up
Redshirt sophomore linebacker Laiu Moeakiola, wearing a green no-contact jersey, runs out with the linebackers at Tuesday's practice. (Photo by Evan Webeck)When Moeakiola went down against Colorado, coach Todd Graham didn't know who he was going to turn to. Then, freshman linebacker Christian Sam piped up and said he can play Spur. Graham retorted that he didn't know what he was doing, but Sam replied with confidence in his abilities.
"I was right, and he was right," Graham said with a smirk. "Considering he didn't practice any at the Spur, I was impressed."
It was Sam again taking first-team reps at Spur on Tuesday, with redshirt junior Ezeqiuel Bishop backing him up. Moeakiola participated in conditioning drills but nothing else.
More defensive shakeup
It's looking more and more like ASU is going to run out a different defensive lineup each game this season. It's not just the secondary anymore, either, though, that too was different Tuesday. Junior cornerback Kweishi Brown, who had been playing nickel, was taking first-team reps at boundary corner, with freshman Armand Perry behind him.
There was another new Devilbacker. This time, it was redshirt senior De'Marieya Nelson back taking first-team reps at Devil after spending the first three weeks of the season focusing mostly on offense.
Freshman Tashon Smallwood is out, and redshirt junior Demetrius Cherry is in at Tiger on the defensive line. Both, however, will get significant playing time, along with junior Jaxon Hood and sophomore Viliami Latu. Graham commended Cherry on his game against Colorado, in which he made three tackles and wreaked havoc on the Buffaloes offensive line.
"Demetrius Cherry had the best game since he's been here," Graham said. "He played phenomenal."
And he was rewarded with first-team snaps in the team's next practice.
Video by Evan Webeck | Sports Reporter
Mendoza working back to health
Remember Carlos Mendoza? Before he suffered yet another injury at Camp Tontozona, he was in line to start at Will linebacker. He's not fully healthy yet, but he continues to make progress. He ditched his crutches weeks ago, and is now beginning to participate more in practice. On Tuesday, he played on the second team, albeit still in a green no-contact jersey.
2014 season in photos [slideshow_deploy id='149980']
Reach the reporter at ewebeck@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @EvanWebeck
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