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ASU football notebook: Carpenter practices, wants to play
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Don't ask Rudy Carpenter if he can play on Saturday.
You'd get the same answer from him even if he were in a wheelchair.
While coach Dennis Erickson said it would be a "surprise" if his starting quarterback played against USC because of an ankle injury, Carpenter - who did limited work in practice - said he's been telling Erickson since Monday he's good to go.
"I (told Erickson) on Monday, I did it on Tuesday, I did it on Wednesday, I did it (Thursday)," Carpenter said. "I made him jog with me (Thursday) at practice. But that's just me, because I want to play. Coach E has to worry about 104 other guys on the team - 64 other guys who are traveling - and he has to make the decision on who is going to give us the best chance to win. If that's not me, then it's not me."
Carpenter took second-team snaps during practice after missing Tuesday and Wednesday. He has started 36 consecutive games and said he's never missed a game or practice.
Carpenter has been lauded for his toughness throughout his Sun Devil career, and being a spectator during the week has been an adjustment.
"I've never felt more out of place in my life," Carpenter said. "It's very awkward for me, and it's hard."
Meanwhile, backup quarterback Danny Sullivan is preparing as if he will be the starter.
Sullivan has played in only one game so far this season, but went 7-for-14 for 118 yards at the tail end of the Holiday Bowl last season against Texas.
He is a junior who hasn't seen any meaningful action because Carpenter has been entrenched as the starter since Sullivan set foot on campus.
"I'm actually pretty excited, if anything," Sullivan said. "It's my first start, and who better than USC?"
Erickson said the decision won't be known until Saturday, but he's planning like Sullivan will be his starter.
"Right now Danny is the guy unless something changes," he said.
EXTRA POINTS
Defensive lineman David Smith will not play against the Trojans. Paul Unga will start in his place and Jonathan English will be the backup. ... Offensive lineman Thomas Altieri suffered a neck stinger in practice but is expected to be fine.
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