Doug Haller

azcentral sports

Taylor Kelly's right foot injury will keep him out of Arizona State's Sept. 25 showdown against UCLA, but the senior quarterback could return sooner than expected.

According to a program source, Kelly has a chance to play Oct. 4 at USC. If not USC, the Sun Devils expect their third-year quarterback on the field for the Oct. 18 home game against Stanford.

Kelly's exact injury is not known. He injured his right foot late in the third quarter of Saturday's 38-24 win at Colorado. On third down, Kelly rushed out of the pocket to escape pressure. As he ran, Colorado defensive end Derek McCartney wrapped up Kelly around the legs, the quarterback twisting as he fell to the turf. Kelly got up with the help of a teammate, limped slightly, then jogged off the field.

Kelly went to the locker room and later returned on crutches with his right foot in a protective boot. He watched the rest of the game with a towel over his head. Coach Todd Graham didn't say much about the injury after the game. He wasn't available for comment Sunday.

The Sun Devils also received good news about Viliami "Laiu" Moeakiola. According to a program source, the sophomore spur linebacker – who injured his right arm in Saturday's second quarter – could be ready for the UCLA contest. The exact nature of Moeakiola's injury is not known. He watched the second half of Saturday's win at Colorado with his arm in a sling.

The Sun Devils (3-0) are off this week, giving both Kelly and Moeakiola time to heal. Junior quarterback Mike Bercovici will start in Kelly's place, the first of his college career. The next three weeks -- with contests against Pac-12 South rivals UCLA and USC -- could define ASU's season.

In four college seasons, Bercovici (cq) has thrown just 24 passes, 17 coming this season, one leading to a touchdown. In 11 drives this season, he has led the Sun Devils to three touchdowns.

The junior has a strong arm, but sometimes he trusts it too much, putting the ball in jeopardy. Offensive coordinator Mike Norvell may have to tweak ASU's attack to suit Bercovici's skills. Bercovici slimmed down last season, improving his quickness, but he's not the rushing threat Kelly is.

That said, Bercovici has the respect of his teammates. Although he's not a team captain in title, he often accompanies Kelly out to mid-field for the pregame coin toss, a task usually reserved for captains. Bercovici has waited patiently since losing the starting job to Kelly in 2012. He has said several times he would be ready when the time comes. That time is here.