ASU Football: Wednesday practice notebook

Arizona State held practice at the Verde Dickey Dome on Wednesday morning, opening the session outside at the Kajikawa Practice Fields. Media was permitted to view about 25 minutes, including three periods: tackle circuit, takeaway, and special teams. The team then headed inside of the dome to perform the full team segment.

“Muscle Beach”

Fullback Mark “Goose” Cosgrove, tight end Grant Martinez, kicker Zane Gonzalez, long snapper Mitchell Frabroni, defensive back James Johnson, offensive linemen Tyson Rising and Marshal Nathe, and punter Greg Thomas worked on the side during practice.

Offense

During the takeaway segment, three offensive units worked through possessions beginning at the 50-yard line against no defense.

Here’s how the first unit lined up:

Manny Wilkins (QB); Kalen Ballage (RB); N’Keal Harry (WR), Ryan Jenkins (WR), Jalen Harvey (WR, slot), Tim White (WR, slot); Evan Goodman (LT), Sam Jones (LG), Stephon McCray (C), Quinn Bailey (RG), Zach Robertson (RT)

Possession Notes: The first team incorporated several run-pass option (RPO) plays, handing the ball off to Ballage and swinging the ball out to White on the perimeter off play action.

Here’s how the second unit lined up:

Brady White (QB); Nick Ralston (RB); Terrell Chatman (WR), Ellis Jefferson (WR), Fred Gammage (WR, slot); Raymond Epps (TE, slot)

Offensive line: the offensive line consisted of practice squad members dressed in yellow jerseys.

Possession Notes: White completed a pass to Ralston, who ran an angle route out of the backfield to start the possession. He then completed a swing pass to Gammage and a slant to Chatman.

The third unit’s possession operated under the direction of Dillon Sterling-Cole, and was solely practice squad members.

Defense

The defense worked through takeaway drills on the field across from the offense during the session.

Special Teams

Haack worked on deep punts and coffin corner during the segment. The senior’s boots were impressive, with plenty of movement and hang time in the air.

NFL at Practice

The New England Patriots had a scout representing them at Wednesday’s practice.

Sounds

Running back Demario Richard reminded the Sun Devil faithful to “believe” before practice started.

Next

The Sun Devils’ walkthrough session tomorrow will not be open to media, meaning we won’t have anything to report on the team until Saturday’s season-opener, which is scheduled to kickoff at 8 p.m. PT.