Some wondered how Arizona State’s up-tempo offense would function this season.
Sure, the Sun Devils knew they had a pair of talented running backs in Demario Richard and Kalen Ballage but the jury was still out at quarterback and wide receiver. Mike Norvell was off to Memphis, taking his first head coaching job, and Chip Lindsey arrived in Tempe with more questions than answers many thought.
There has been a few bumps in the early-season road (first half against NAU, parts of the Texas-San Antonio game) but no one is complaining after the Devils jumped out to a 4-0 start heading into Saturday’s game against desperate USC.
So far, the offensive numbers are sparking. ASU is third in points scored (195) and seventh in points per game (48.8). Todd Graham’s team has been aided by some timely defense but Lindsey’s ability to mold together a rather inexperienced offense can’t be overlooked.
“It’s been good,” Lindsey told Sports360AZ.com’s Brad Cesmat via Skype this week. “We’ve been a little inconsistent at times but I think when you have some young players who are playing for the first time and experimenting things for the first time, I think some of that is expected.”
The challenges will only get tougher with UCLA and upstart Colorado in October after the Trojans. As with every coach, Lindsey isn’t satisfied and it sounds like his players aren’t, either.
“I’m pleased with the progress,” he said to Cesmat. “I’m pleased with the way they come to practice every day and try to get better and improve. Our goal is to try to improve every day, one day at time.”
The philosophy has worked just fine so far.
