News updates are sent daily. You can unsubscribe at any time.
ASU notes: McGaha criticizes focus vs. Stanford
Digg|
Save|
License|
Print|
E-mail|
While the depth chart and X's and O's of a football team can be debated around the clock, much of it doesn't matter if the effort isn't there during a particular game.
One thing missing from Saturday's 33-14 loss at Stanford was focus, wide receiver Chris McGaha said on Wednesday.
In a crucial Pac-10 victory against Washington two weeks ago, the Sun Devils played with more intensity than at any other time this season.
In losses to Oregon State and Stanford, that type of effort wasn't there.
McGaha said it was evident before the action ever started against the Cardinal that the team wasn't in the right frame of mind.
"You could tell when we came out there that there wasn't hype from the guys that are usually hyped before the game," McGaha said. "It was just kind of like a dead atmosphere."
He said that's the responsibility of each individual player.
"It's just everybody personally getting ready to play," he said. "The coaches can only do so much mentally and getting us prepared, putting us in the right positions to make plays. We've just got to be motivated mentally and make the plays."
O-LINE SHUFFLE
All season, injuries have forced the Arizona State coaching staff to either move the starters around or pull backups into starting duty.
This week is no exception, as Garth Gerhart, who has been battling a toe injury, is moving from guard to center. He is replacing Thomas Altieri, who suffered a knee injury against the Cardinal.
"People who are the backups are stepping up," Gerhart said. "We're clicking all together and doing really good. (Line coach Greg) Smith is doing a great job with helping us out, teaching us what we need to do."
INJURY UPDATE
Wide receivers Kyle Williams (hamstring) and Kerry Taylor (hamstring) didn't do much at Wednesday's practice, though it's uncertain how much the cold weather played into it.
Omar Bolden (knee) also watched the action from the sidelines.
Their status for Saturday's game against California is still unknown.
Please add your comments, but follow these guidelines to keep this a safe, credible place for discussing the news: