Sep 5, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Mike Bercovici (2) attempts a pass during the second quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at NRG Stadium. Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona State has two easy home games to try to solve the issues from a season-opening loss against Texas A&M.
“Really, a little bit surprised at how undisciplined we played,” coach Todd Graham said Monday after a review of the 38-17 loss in Houston. “We had, uncharacteristically, a lot of really stupid penalties. We had two roughing-the-punter penalties in one game. That’s coaching.
“Obviously, this game was a game that you find out exactly where you’re at.”
ASU has been one of the least penalized teams in the country in each of Graham’s first three seasons on the job, and discipline has been one of the leading reasons for the program’s resurgence. Officially, ASU had only six penalties for 45 yards against the Aggies, but two penalties were declined, including a running-into-the-punter flag.
The Sun Devils also fumbled five times, losing two.
“When I went back and re-evaluated, long story short, we did a lot of things to beat ourselves, and everything on that film can be corrected,” Graham said.
That starts Saturday against FCS foe Cal Poly. On Sept. 19, ASU plays host to New Mexico to finish its nonconference schedule before opening Pac-12 play with a dangerous duo of games — home for USC, at UCLA.
Graham talked rather boldly in the preseason about competing for a national championship, and even a noted analyst such as ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit predicted ASU to land in the four-team College Football Playoff. Based on now they played against Texas A&M, the Sun Devils don’t look ready for those lofty goals — but time could also indicate that the Aggies, although unranked in the preseason poll, are a really good team.
Graham points to some stout stops on defense and the moxie of quarterback Mike Bercovici as reasons for optimism as the Sun Devils move forward.
“Obviously they were the better team the other night,” Graham said of the Aggies. “But I can tell you it’s one game. It’s a very important game, and I think that game will be one that we’ll look back and say we got a lot better as a football team.”
NOTES, QUOTES
PLAYERS TO WATCH
–WR D.J. Foster, in his new role as a mostly full-time slot receiver, had only nine touches in the opening game against Texas A&M. He caught six passes for 48 yards and had three carries for 13 yards. ASU will be creative in trying to get him the ball in space, including on fly sweeps, but nine touches don’t seem like enough for someone with his playmaking ability. “He’s got to get the ball,” coach Todd Graham said. “I mean, that’s one of the lesser productive games he’s had.”
–LB Salamo Fiso was one of the leaders in a defensive front that mostly did a nice job against the Texas A&M running game. The Aggies needed 45 rushes to get their 178 yards. Fiso looked fast and strong, finishing with eight tackles, including one for loss. “Salamo is so smart,” Graham said. “He runs the defense and makes most of the calls.”
–QB Mike Bercovici will be happy to, presumably, have much more time to throw the ball this week against Cal Poly than he did vs. Texas A&M’s dynamic defensive front. “I thought Mike played very gallantly as a quarterback,” Graham said. Bercovici, who was sacked nine times, will be able to let it fly against Cal Poly.
SERIES HISTORY: Arizona State leads the series with Cal Poly 3-0, although the last meeting was back in 1947.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “So it’s not about talking about doing it, it’s about action. That’s what I’ve talked to our players about. I love our players’ attitude. I don’t have any different feeling about this team than I did going into this last game, and I’m being honest. I’m always honest.” — Coach Todd Graham, talking about his team moving past the loss to Texas A&M.
