By John Sleeper
Herald Writer
SEATTLE – It isn’t the biggest offensive line in the Pacific-10 Conference, but Arizona State’s may be the best.
“They’re light and they’re fast,” said University of Washington linebacker Ben Mahdavi, who will get a close look at it Saturday when the Huskies face the Wildcats. “They get on you in a hurry. They average in the (270-pound range), but snap, snap and they’re there. Strong, quick, fast guys.”
The two getting the most attention from NFL scouts are center Scott Peters, a first-team all-Pac-10 player last year, and left tackle Levi Jones, a second-teamer. All members on the ASU line are seniors.
Peters, who has started 39 straight games, is on the watch list for the Lombardi Award, given annually to the best offensive lineman in the country. Although he was limited in spring practices following arthroscopic knee surgery, he again is having an all-Pac-10 season.
“Even in the few days he was able to do things in the spring, you could really see his ability,” ASU coach Dirk Koetter said.
Peters and Jones, a two-year starter, are joined by two other starters, giving the Sun Devils some much-needed continuity. Guard Marquise Muldrow, at 317 pounds, is the heaviest lineman and started all 12 games last year. Guard Kyle Kosier moved from right tackle to make room for Travis Scott, who stood out when he filled in for Peters in the spring.
“They’re extremely talented in their offensive front,” UW coach Rick Neuheisel said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if two of those kids are high draft choices.”
Barton feeling better: Backup quarterback Taylor Barton, who didn’t practice all last week because of lingering head and foot injuries, was back on the practice field Tuesday.
“I feel all right,” he said. “I think I’m in the same boat as a lot of guys on the team – banged up, little injuries, little nicks here and there. But just like everyone else, I’ve got to come out and practice and get ready to play.”
Barton said he felt foggy much of last week and underwent a battery of precautionary tests. It finally was determined that he was having post-concussion syndrome from the beating he took against UCLA. Now his sprained left foot is the concern.
“He was a little rusty,” Neuheisel said. “The foot is hampering him a little.”
ASU’s defense familiar: The Sun Devils run a 4-2-5 formation that includes four down linemen, two linebackers, two corners and three safeties. It reminds many of Jim Lambright’s attack-style defenses in the ’90s.
The style has lots of movement and gives lots of pre-snap looks. Although the Sun Devils struggled with the new system early, they showed much improvement in their 41-24 victory over Oregon State Saturday.
“We’re pretty much in a nickel defense all the time,” Koetter said. “When you don’t come out of the gate and have a ton of success, there’s going to be criticism of the scheme. Our scheme had been taking some hits, but we knew the scheme would work. We just hadn’t had success on the field against a top opponent.”
The growing pains have come in the secondary, where three of the five defensive backs are freshmen. The Sun Devils have had problems giving up the big play.
“It doesn’t take a genius to figure out what teams are going to do,” Koetter said.
Short routes: The Huskies will practice this week in the Dempsey Indoor facility with the heat cranked up in hopes of simulating the heat at Sun Devil Stadium. Neuheisel mentioned that heat may have been a factor in the team’s slow starts at Cal and UCLA … UW defensive coordinator Tim Hundley said junior Owen Biddle will be getting more looks at free safety. Wondame Davis has been the starter there, alongside strong safety Greg Carothers … Injured linebackers Kai Ellis and Tyler Krambrink both participated in drills Tuesday, both wearing red jerseys. Ellis had arthroscopic surgery in both knees, while Krambrink has missed all year after having wrist surgery … UW receivers coach John Pettas coached for six years at ASU, the last as offensive coordinator … UW linebacker Marquis Cooper, who blocked a punt in last year’s UW-ASU game as a freshman, is a son of Phoenix sportscaster Bruce Cooper. Marquis Cooper’s block set up Washington’s first touchdown, as the Huskies came back from a 6-0 deficit to win, 21-15.
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