They're young, but they're ready.
It's not uncommon in the modern era of college football for a team to have multiple running backs featured over the course of the season. It's also not uncommon to have a freshman make an early impact for a team. Just look at Leonard Fournette and the impact he has had at LSU.
It is not so common for a team to feature two freshmen backs, however, and for those two backs to have an immediate and lasting impact on the offense.
Freshmen running backs Demario Richard and Kalen Ballage have done just that for ASU this season, pairing with junior D.J. Foster to create an explosive Sun Devil backfield.
The two came into fall camp as 17-year-olds, forced to learn a new, complex Mike Norvell offense while also adjusting to the college pace. Bale and Richard were forced to accommodate themselves quickly.
"It's getting the plays down and knowing what you're doing," Ballage said. "Obviously you have the talent to play on the field with the older guys, but it's really just getting the plays down so you know and you go."
"It was just getting to know the plays and getting comfortable with the system," Richard said. "It's a fast-paced moving system and you have the older guys, who help us a lot. Me and (Kalen Ballage) just came together and we just kind of took over from there."
The duo quickly fell under the mentorship of Foster and senior Deantre Lewis, who both have played under offensive coordinator Mike Norvell's offensive scheme.
"They knew it and we didn't," Ballage said. "They know how fast the game is and how well this offense can work if you're doing what you're supposed to be doing."
"(The upperclassmen) came in and took us under their wings, and since then we just took off," Richard said. "Everybody here in this group is close."
Richard and Ballage have been among the most productive freshmen in the country, combining for 767 total yards and eight touchdowns on the season. Each has also had their own shining moment, with Richard running for 116 yards against Utah and Ballage scoring a memorable touchdown against Colorado:
"It's just taking advantage of the resources we have around us," Ballage said. "We have the older teammates that are going to tell us, 'You should make try this instead of this.' It's really little things, but it'll help you."
"Staying patient, not getting too comfortable with the couple games that we didn't play in," said Richard. "(We have to) keep our heads on straight. (Taylor Kelly) always has us on our toes, just making sure we stay on each other."
While Richard has been getting the bulk of the carries of late, there's no jealousy between the two.
"(Demario RIchard)'s that guy right now," said Ballage. "Everybody knows it. Just getting to be on that field is a blessing everyday, and hopefully I'll be able to contribute in any way possible."
Ballage's work isn't going unnoticed, as coach Todd Graham made a point of singling the freshman running back out in his list of players who have impressed during recent bowl practices.
Norvell's offense is one that is hard to grasp, and often changes on a week-by-week basis.
"The thing about this offense is that coach Norvell asks the running backs to do a lot of different things," said Ballage. "We'll go into one week and know exactly what we're doing, and then the next week the whole gameplan is different from just us running backs."
"In this offense, you're always on your toes," Richard said. "One week we'll do something and next week it'll be a whole new gameplan."
Next up on the slate are the Duke Blue Devils (9-3) in the Sun Bowl, who present a variety of challenges with their length on the defensive end.
"You've got to respect them," Richard said. "They have a nice defense, got some length in their defensive line, but in my opinion we've played better defenses before."
Freshman running back Kalen Ballage runs through a drill at Kajikawa practice field on Dec. 20. ASU plays Duke in the Sun Bowl on Dec. 27. (Photo by: Fabian Ardaya).Practice Notes
- Redshirt junior wide receiver Jaelen Strong missed practice Saturday for the second straight day while attending to a personal matter. Graham said to expect Strong back at practice on Sunday.
- Graham said he expects redshirt sophomore linebacker Laiu Moeakiola and redshirt junior safety Jordan Simone to be back and healthy for next Saturday's Sun Bowl against Duke.
- A recent study showed ASU is ranked No. 5 among the teams in the top 25 for the College Football Playoff in academic success. The study looked at graduation rates in comparison to the average student.
- Foster, Simone and redshirt senior safety Damarious Randall were among the Sun Devils wearing gold no-contact jerseys at practice Saturday. Graham said he was pleased with his team's health.
"We're as healthy as we can be at this point," he said.
- Senior running back Deantre Lewis has left the team and will not play in the Sun Bowl, according to Jeff Metcalfe of AZ Central.
Reach the assistant sports editor at fardaya@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @fardaya15
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