Interim coach Shaun Aguano makes one noticeable change to Arizona State practice
When he met with the media on Monday, interim ASU head coach Shaun Aguano said there weren’t going to be dramatic changes to the way Arizona State would operate. But at 1-2, the Sun Devils certainly aren’t looking to just keep doing the same thing that got them here.
Aguano wants to put his fingerprints on the program and help ASU win some football games. One thing that was new in practice on Tuesday, according to Devils Digest’s Cole Topham, was tempo.
Not reporting specifics from the ASU 11-on-11 period the media watched today, but one observation stood out:
The tempo of the offense was significantly faster.
— Cole Topham (@crtopham_) September 20, 2022
In recent weeks, Arizona State’s sense of urgency on offense — or lack thereof — has been puzzling. They’ve been within striking distance late in both of their last two games, but the Sun Devils have regularly let the playclock run down into the single digits before snapping the ball.
Topham shared that players seem to be on-board with the pace.
Quotes from ASU players today on interim head coach Shaun Aguano’s energy-infused first practice:
“We made a lot of changes today that are long-term wins." -@ladarius77
“Guys were tired by the end of practice.” –@hatch_case
“I think it’s what we need right now.” –@kyle_soelle
— Cole Topham (@crtopham_) September 20, 2022
The offense is averaging 6.2 yards a play this season. That’s good for seventh in the Pac-12, tied with Oregon. Signs are there of something with potential. Xazavian Valladay currently leads the league in rushing. Emory Jones isn’t turning the ball over and building a nice rapport with Elijhah Badger, who is really coming into his own this season.
With No. 13 Utah on the docket this weekend, the Sun Devils will look for something to build on. Perhaps a quicker-strike offense can inject some energy back into things.