With the departure of ASU's career leader in receptions and a plethora of injuries that have sidelined starters for spring football, critics won't have to dig deep for reasons as to why the Sun Devils are bound for another Sun Bowl appearance in December. But if any arguments center on a lack of offense, ASU pessimists are gravely mistaken -- and Saturday's scrimmage served as a reminder.
Sophomore wide receiver Mike Jones took advantage of senior wideout Terry Richardson's spring football suspension by hauling in two touchdowns and 142 yards on Saturday. With Richardson, senior Jamaal Lewis, sophomore Nate Kimbrough and Jones posting time as split ends, quarterbacks Sam Keller and Rudy Carpenter's wide receiving corps will outshine the dark cloud left after Derek Hagan's departure.
With the emergence of sophomore-to-be running back Keegan Herring, who ran for 52 yards and one score on Saturday, the Sun Devils have established a balanced attack through the air and on the ground. The return to health of sophomore-to-be Shaun DeWitty poses a challenge to Herring for playing time in the backfield, which could quiet the Sun Devils' current quarterback controversy. On Saturday, DeWitty reached pay dirt once while rushing for 121 yards on 22 carries. Offense wasn't the problem on Saturday -- just ask the defensive line that gave up 111 yards to DeWitty in the first half alone.
Reach the reporter at james.schmehl@asu.edu.
