Following the much scrutinized 2016 season debut of the ASU football team, head coach Todd Graham was not happy with criticism from outside the program. Critics went after the manner in which the Sun Devils beat FCS Northern Arizona and how well the team will progress moving forward, especially offensively.
That group, led by redshirt sophomore quarterback Manny Wilkins, will be put to the test Saturday when the team tries to keep up with the high-flying attack of Texas Tech.
Wilkins was efficient with his plays last Saturday against NAU, completing nearly 75 percent of his passes and running for just under 90 yards.
In the first game, for a team with two running backs expected to near 1,000 yards for the season, many coaches would ask for that kind of performance from their quarterback. But, Todd Graham isn’t like many coaches.
While Graham was happy with Wilkins not exposing himself to mistakes after his first quarter interception against NAU, he noted that it’s hard to beat many opponents, especially in the Pac-12, without pushing the ball downfield and taking chances.
“You can’t just manage the game,” Graham said. “You’ve got to make plays, right? And you’ve got to distribute the ball. Part of managing the game is distributing the ball where it’s supposed to be.”
Those chunk plays will come gradually for Wilkins as he gains comfort starting. With that comfort comes the instinctual play Graham wants Wilkins and the rest of the Sun Devils to rely on.
“You can’t go out there and try not to mess up,” Graham said. “There’s two types of players: guys going out there trying not to mess up and guys going out there just playing. And we’ve got to do that."
As for Texas Tech, the Red Raiders feature junior quarterback Patrick Mahomes. In their opening game against Stephen F. Austin, Mahomes threw for 407 yards and five touchdowns in the first half. He started the second half with another touchdown before the Red Raiders called off the dogs and cruised to a 69-17 win.
Impressed, Graham called Mahomes one of the best air raid quarterbacks in that offensive system he’s ever seen, behind just one player who Graham knows well.
“There’s a guy named Case Keenum, who was the best I’ve ever played against in the air raid,” Graham said. “And this kid’s in the ballpark. And that’s because I’m never going to say anyone’s better than him.”
In his record-setting career at Houston, Keenum personally victimized Graham twice when he was the coach at Tulsa, beating him back-to-back seasons in an excruciating fashion. In the two games, the Cougar quarterback went 64-97 through the air for 966 yards and nine touchdowns.
While Mahomes isn't on the same pace Keenum was in, four-plus years at Houston, he's been a dynamic presence behind center for the Red Raiders, throwing for over 4,600 yards a season ago.
With that big play ability, Graham said his defense needs to try to contain him, and keep the Texas Tech offense from gashing his secondary.
"The biggest thing for us is to just keep it in front of us," Graham said. "Make him earn it, don't give up balls over the top. That's going to be a challenge."
Additional Notes:
-Junior linebacker Christian Sam was in a walking boot following practice, despite entering without one. Graham said he’d know more about Sam’s status for Texas Tech on Wednesday.
-Redshirt senior safety Laiu Moeakiola, who sat out ASU’s game against NAU, practiced fully and is expected to make his season debut Saturday vs. the Red Raiders.
Reach the reporter at mtonis@asu.edu or follow @Tonis_The_Tiger on Twitter.
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