Redshirt junior quarterback Mike Bercovici throws the ball in a home game against UCLA on Sept. 25, 2014. The Sun Devils lost to the Bruins, 62-27. (Photo by Alexis Macklin)Once again, redshirt junior Mike Bercovici was under center as redshirt senior Taylor Kelly stood in a walking boot on the sidelines. Since Kelly went down at Colorado, Bercovici has been at the reins, and that is likely to continue into Week 6.
ASU coach Todd Graham on Tuesday said his starting quarterback is "doubtful" to play against the USC Trojans on Saturday. Although, Graham did deliver news to soften the blow to Sun Devil fans.
"We expect him back for sure, the next week," Graham said.
So for Bercovici, it's now his third week in control of the team, and his first since his first career start.
Not much has changed in terms of preparation for Bercovici since he was called into duty. Although, he has learned the difference between practice and live game scenarios.
"Just the fact that one play can make a huge difference," Bercovici said in response to what the most eye-opening thing to him was. "It was a huge learning experience. I wish it wasn't a learning experience, but basically, going into this next Saturday game, I've got even more confidence."
Against UCLA, Bercovici threw the ball more times than Kelly ever has in a single game; he went 42-of-68 through the air for 488 yards. Despite throwing it more times than Kelly ever has, the Sun Devils scored less points than they do on average with Kelly at quarterback.
Turnovers.
Bercovici had two interceptions and a fumble. Junior D.J. Foster contributed another lost fumble.
"Coach does a great job of keeping us level headed," Bercovici said. "It's not about yards, it's not about touchdowns that makes us excited. It's really about owning the football — 100 percent ball security — so as far as that standpoint went, I was brought down to reality."
Besides the giveaways, Bercovici came away from his starting debut more confident than he had been. And he should be: 488 yards and 7.18 per attempt aren't numbers a pretender can put up against No. 8 UCLA.
To cure the turnover problem, Bercovici is turning to a system the team has called, "Us or Nobody," meaning either an ASU receiver comes down with the pass or it falls incomplete. He'll take the motto — and everything else he's doing in practice — into the USC game.
"Everything I do," Bercovici said, "I approach it like we're playing USC right now."
Bercovici's bold prediction?
As Bercovici was talking about an old friend on USC — redshirt junior defensive tackle Antwaun Woods — he let some playful trash talk into the conversation.
"I'll talk to him Sunday, when we beat 'em 42 to whatever the score is," Bercovici said.
Mendoza practicing
Redshirt sophomore Will linebacker Carlos Mendoza returned to practice nearly two weeks ago, but he had been taking strictly second-team snaps behind freshman DJ Calhoun. On Tuesday, during the shortened portion open to the media, Mendoza was running with the ones, almost exclusively.
Graham brushed it off after practice, saying it was just them getting Mendoza some extra reps after he missed time because of injury.
Reach the reporter at ewebeck@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @EvanWebeck
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