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Erickson: Sore-thumbed Carpenter will ‘be fine’
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Arizona State quarterback Rudy Carpenter threw the ball for the second straight practice Thursday as the Sun Devils prepare for their biggest game of the season this Saturday in Eugene, Ore.
Carpenter resumed throwing during Wednesday’s practice for the first time since spraining his right thumb against California last Saturday and should be ready to go when the Sun Devils take on No. 4 Oregon.
“He threw it good today, he’ll be fine,” ASU coach Dennis Erickson said.
Erickson said the rest of the team is ready as well.
“This is what it’s all about,” Erickson said. “You get the opportunity to play a great football team at their place on national TV, it doesn’t get any better than that.”
ASU linebacker Robert James said Saturday’s game is the biggest one he has prepared for since playing Louisiana State in 2005, and feels a win still may not sway the doubters.
“I’m thinking even if we win this game, they are still going to be saying ASU got lucky,” James said. “We’re just going to take it one game at a time.”
DEFENSIVE PROSPECTIVE
Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon has been a hassle for every defense he has faced this season, with his ability run and pass the ball.
The Sun Devils’ defensive unit used reserve cornerback Grant Crunkleton to simulate Dixon on specific plays in practice this week to help prepare for the Ducks’ Heisman candidate.
“Crunkleton did a good job, he’s fast,” James said. “We just have to do a good job reading our keys (on Saturday) and we’re going to be all right.”
To prepare for Washington quarterback Jake Locker, ASU used a similar tactic in practice.
Erickson said Crunkleton is a former quarterback and gave the team a good look running and throwing. However, it’s impossible to truly replicate the 6-foot-5, 205 pound speedster Dixon.
“We’ll simulate him when we see him,” Erickson said. “That’s the nature of trying to simulate someone like that.”
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