ASU football: Sun Devils looking to add explosion to offense

Late in last week's win over Cal Poly, Tim White took a hand-off on a speed sweep, turned the corner and jetted 59 yards down field.

Two surprises emerged:

First, White – among Arizona State's fastest players – got caught from behind, falling to the grass four yards short of the end zone. But perhaps of greater importance, ASU fans haven't seen more plays like it.

Entering Friday night's non-conference contest against New Mexico, the Sun Devils have lacked their usual offensive explosion, an early red flag with the start of Pac-12 action approaching.

"We should be a lot more explosive than what we are,'' coach Todd Graham said. "The key to winning games – and winning easily – is a lot of explosive plays. With the speed that we have and the guys that we have, we need to have more explosive plays. And that will happen."

Over the last three years, ASU has featured one of the nation's more explosive offenses. Last season, the Sun Devils posted 71 plays of 20-plus yards, which ranked 26th nationally. In 2013, they ranked seventh in this category. In 2012, they were 19th.

But this season, despite six returning starters, ASU has had to grind more than glide. All but one of the Sun Devils' eight scoring drives have required at least five plays. The problem? Let's examine:

No Jaelen Strong. Last year, the All-Pac-12 receiver had 16 catches of 20-plus yards, but just his presence made a difference. Defenses often had to double-team Strong, which opened opportunities for others. This season, a similar big-play threat has yet to emerge.

Last year, the All-Pac-12 receiver had 16 catches of 20-plus yards, but just his presence made a difference. Defenses often had to double-team Strong, which opened opportunities for others. This season, a similar big-play threat has yet to emerge. No protection . This was a problem in Week 1, when Texas A&M gave senior quarterback Mike Bercovici little time to throw, sacking him nine times.

. This was a problem in Week 1, when Texas A&M gave senior quarterback Mike Bercovici little time to throw, sacking him nine times. Injuries. For the last month, ASU's top six linemen haven't been completely healthy at the same time. Redshirt freshman Sam Jones missed the season opener with a sprained knee. Senior center Nick Kelly and junior left tackle Evan Goodman missed practice with minor issues. Then, in Saturday's win over Cal Poly, senior right tackle Billy McGehee left with a knee issue.

In addition, the Sun Devils have been without sophomore running back Kalen Ballage because of mono. Friday, they could be without junior running back De'Chavon Hayes because of a hamstring issue.

"It's tough," senior receiver D.J. Foster said. "We got a lot of guys rotating, we got a lot of young guys playing out there, too, especially at critical positions."

Bercovici – known for his strong arm -- is averaging just 6.3 yards per completion, which ranks 10th among Pac-12 quarterbacks. Of his 48 completions, only 22 have gone for first downs. In the preseason, Bercovici said one of his favorite things about this offense was having so many playmakers who could turn a 5-yard pass into a 30-yard gain, but that has not yet happened.

"You got to give credit to the defenses; they've been doing a good job against us,'' Bercovici said. "Obviously, as a quarterback, I take responsibility because I can control the entire field. I can control whatever it may be, whether it be pulling the ball (on the zone read), giving the ball, throwing the ball … That's my job to make sure that we get those 12-yard, 15-yard, 20-yard carries or throws because we do have that capability."

In this sense, New Mexico might be visiting at the right time. Over the last six years, the Lobos have ranked among the country's worst defensive teams. In last year's 58-23 win in Albuquerque, the Sun Devils had nine plays of 20-plus yards.

They think it's only a matter of time before a similar explosion occurs.

"We're polishing some things up, but our offense has big-play capabilities and at any moment a big play can be made,'' senior receiver Gary Chambers said. "There's so much talent on the field, there's no concern."

Follow Doug Haller at 602-444-4949 or at doug.haller@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him at Twitter.com/DougHaller.