(Photo: ASU Athletics)
A day after Todd Graham’s customary Monday press conference was cancelled due to a torrential downpour in Tempe, the third-year head coach was back in full force after Tuesday’s practice inside the Dickey Dome.
“Nine Tuesdays,” Graham remarked. “We’ve got nine conference games; we’ve got nine Tuesdays and we maximized today.”
“The biggest thing is to correct the mental errors and the critical errors. We have had over ten critical errors just on defense in the first two games. If we just can make sure that we don’t have mental errors that’s the key to us being successful.”
A new captain
Despite having arguably the most difficult and demanding assignment in defending the triple option against New Mexico last week, one member of the Sun Devil defense avoided committing “critical errors.” Coach Graham was quick to single out SPUR linebacker Laui Moeakiola, who shined for nine total tackles and a partial sack against the Lobos, and was just as quick to reward him for his efforts. Graham announced Tuesday that Moeakiola had been named a team captain.
“Wow. I liked everything about him,” Graham said. “He is a guy that we named team captain really just because of the respect the players have for him. I thought he played by far his best game and was really impressive. He’s a guy that I totally trust. Kind of like a Taylor Kelly on defense. He’s an incredible young man.”
At the same time, a consistent source of concern for this Sun Devil team has been the lack of experience and leadership on the defensive side of the ball. For many, anointing a sophomore with limited collegiate experience as a team captain is simply a reflection and perhaps an admittance of that lack of experience.
Graham quickly offered a rebuttal to that theory, claiming that talent and character trump experience in the captain selection process.
“If I pick someone on the defense that I thought epitomized leadership, it would be him. Character? On a scale of 1-10, (he’s an) 11. Smart, disciplined, selfless, loves his teammates. I’m not worried about it (how young Moeakiola is). I think the best players are the ones who are going to lead.”
“It’s huge,” Moeakiola said in regards to the honor. “It means that I’m being watched more by my peers. I’m just leading by example, whether it’s in the classroom or in the film room, showing up early, trying to help the young guys get on board.”
First-Team Defense
Defensive Line: Marcus Hardison (End), Jaxon Hood (Nose Tackle), Tashon Smallwood (Tiger), Edmond Boateng (Devilbacker)
Linebackers: Laiu Moeakiola (SPUR), Salamo Fiso (SAM), DJ Calhoun (WILL)
Cornerbacks: Armand Perry (Boundary), Lloyd Carrington (Field)
Safeties: Jordan Simone (Bandit), Damarious Randall (Field)
Practice Notes
- After being relegated to the backup role in Saturday’s game, Jordan Simone was rewarded with his outstanding play (seven total tackles against New Mexico) with a position on the first team defense ahead of redshirt freshman James Johnson.
- Marcus Ball, who was converted to a SPUR linebacker for the New Mexico game to back up Moeakiola, was back at his normal second-team safety position.
- Freshman Ismael Murphy Richardson earned reps at the second team Devilbacker position, which slides Antonio Longino to third on the depth chart.
- The Sun Devils rose from No. 17 to No. 16 in the latest AP Poll and from No. 16 to No. 14 in the Coaches’ Poll
Follow Jacob Garcia on Twitter @Jake_M_Garcia or connect with him on LinkedIn.
