ASU offense lacking in scrimmage

After Thomas Weber’s 47-yard field-goal attempt sailed wide right during Arizona State’s intrasquad scrimmage on Friday night, a spectator at Sun Devil Stadium voiced his displeasure — but not at the kicker.

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“Field goals aren’t going to get it done, coach!” he exclaimed.

At that point, about 45 minutes into the proceedings, ASU had not scored a touchdown on offense. It would finish with two, but that was not sufficient to ease concerns that — with two weeks before the season begins — the unit is not performing with the necessary efficiency.

The man who was the target of the yelling fan’s criticism had some of his own afterward, saying he was “disappointed” in the offense.

“We’re not executing the way we need to, in all areas,” ASU coach Dennis Erickson said. “We have a veteran front coming back that is not executing. We dropped balls. We’re a much better offensive football team. We’ve got weapons and potential, but we’re not playing like we need to, no question about it.”

The Sun Devils added three field goals, but also had three penalties (two false starts) on offense and dropped five passes.

What kind of scrimmage was it? The most noteworthy player on defense was a guy who, until recently, was part of the offense. Dane Guthrie, an ex-tight end, had a sack, deflected pass and tackle for loss as a defensive end.

Guthrie, a standout defensive end as a prep player in Miami, Fla., switched to the position at Thursday’s practice. The ASU coaches made the move permanent after watching tape on Friday morning.

“Defensive end gives me a chance to let loose,” said Guthrie, a 6-foot-3, 267-pound junior. “It’s not as contained as offense. I came out here and made a couple plays, the coaches are coaching me up, and it’s a confidence boost.”

Quarterback Rudy Carpenter — noting the offense has done well during most camp practices — feels the unit is progressing.

“It’s one of those things where offense is up and down, and you have to find the consistency before the season starts,” Carpenter said. “We still have time to do that. And our wideouts have been running a lot. They’ve had a good camp, but they’re tired.”

Carpenter completed 11 of 20 passes for 141 yards and a score, a 48-yard bomb to receiver Kerry Taylor that was made possible in part because cornerback Travis Smith fell down.

Samson Szakacsy appeared to gain an edge over Chasen Stangel in the battle of true freshmen for the third-string quarterback job, but Erickson said that decision will likely not be made until next week. Szakacsy was 6 of 7 for 52 yards.

Jarrell Woods had a 15-yard touchdown run, and one of Ryan Torain’s five carries went for 50 yards. But those two plays and Taylor’s touchdown were the only big gainers against the ASU defenders.

“We have a lot of improvement to make, but we did a good job,” linebacker Robert James said. “We didn’t miss many assignments. Guys were where they were supposed to be. If we kept our offense from scoring, we did a good job.”

A touchdown was scored on a blocked punt. Reserve linebacker Garrett Judah blocked Jonathan Johnson’s boot, and it was recovered by linebacker Antone Saulsberry, who fell into the end zone.

In other news on Friday:

• In the kicking duel, Weber was 2-for-3, connecting from 31 and 47 yards and missing from 47. Zach Richards was 1-for-2, making from 42 yards and missing from 47.

• ASU does not practice today. The team is off on Monday, the first day of classes. Walk-on tryouts will be held on Monday.

• Torain, free safety Josh Barrett, defensive tackle Michael Marquardt and center Mike Pollak were voted season captains by the players.