TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona State coach Todd Graham is well aware that the coming season offers perhaps the biggest opportunity of his career, and he’s taking extra steps to make the most of it.

In discussing ASU’s season-opening game with Sacramento State, Graham shared that he has consulted with sports psychologists about how to keep players motivated for an entire season, among other things.

“I would tell you, the first 15 years of my coaching career, I’ve never done that,” Graham said. “But I want to do whatever I can do to help us win. I visit with them every week trying to figure out ways to do things better.”

Article continues below ...

Graham said he consulted with a leadership group that visited the team over the summer in addition to his conversations with sports psychologists, one of which has worked with NFL teams.

“Just things like, ‘How long should you talk to a team right before we go out to play?’ — things like that,” Graham said. “I want to know because there are things you can get from that, like, ‘How can you best mentally prepare people to play?'”

The big thing, Graham said, is maintaining motivation from the first game of the season to the last, which Graham hopes will be the team’s 14th. That means getting up for a lesser opponent like Sacramento State yet being even more motivated for a big-time opponent in a conference championship or bowl setting.

“It’s amazing how many times we practice and how few times we play and how hard that is,” Graham said. “I’m talking about the whole country. There are very few teams in the whole country that get that done.”



MORRIS CATCHING UP

Earlier this week, junior college transfer Joe Morris missed part of a practice while getting medical clearance, but now the receiver is making a push for a prominent role in ASU’s offense.

“Joe Morris is rolling,” Graham said. “He’s doing good. I’m excited we’ve got a guy that’s a physical, tough guy at wide receiver.”

Morris on Wednesday shed the green no-contact jersey he’d worn since the start of fall camp due to a foot injury he had repaired in the offseason. On Thursday, he went full speed and stayed about 20 minutes after practice to get in extra conditioning as he plays catch-up with the other receivers.

“I’m just getting into the swing of things, really understanding the tempo we practice with,” Morris said. “The first step is the extra work I’m getting right now. I practice with these guys and then get extra work right after. I expect that gap to shorten up, hopefully within the next week.”

Morris is expected to be a factor at slot receiver, where senior Kevin Ozier is the apparent starter. Coaches love the physical element Morris brings, and he’ll undoubtedly have the chance to contribute whether he starts or not.

Morris, who will also contribute significantly on special teams, is eyeing the Sept. 5 season opener, and he’s not putting off his goal of working his way into the starting lineup.

“I’m working to get there Week 1,” Morris said. “Every rep I get I’m going to take advantage of. I can only control what I can control. Right now, that’s my effort.”

NOTES

— Defensive lineman Demetrius Cherry returned to practice Thursday after a suspension for a team rules violation. He continued to run with the scout team.

— Tight end Darwin Rogers, who suffered an unspecified injury last week, was limited during individual drills but participated in the 11-on-11 period open to the media.

— ASU athletic director Steve Patterson said Wednesday that fewer than 12,000 tickets remain for the Sept. 14 game against Wisconsin. ASU is expecting a sellout for the game, which is the annual “blackout.”