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Wednesday, September 20
Kealy's return could start QB controversy

By Dan Rosen
Special to ESPN.com

The inevitable quarterback controversy at Arizona State has now kicked into high gear.

Suspended senior quarterback Ryan Kealy was reinstated before the Colorado State game and roamed the sidelines for the first time this season.

The Sun Devils went on to win that game, despite the fact that their passing game was almost nonexistent, 13-10.

Then on Sunday, Kealy was officially welcomed back with open arms to a team that is reeling on offense.

"I was elated," Kealy said of his reinstatement. "Coach (Bruce) Snyder had the confidence in me, and I thank him for it, same for the players. It's an honor to be back on this team."


	ASU's Ryan Kealy is listed as the backup to starting QB Jeff Krohn.

Although Kealy is returning with 31 career starts under his belt, it doesn't mean he is going to step in and play immediately. This team still belongs to redshirt freshman Jeff Krohn.

At least for now.

"Jeff Krohn is the starting quarterback for ASU," Kealy said. "That is just the way it is. I am coming back on the team but in no way does it jeopardize his position."

Krohn, however, has different thoughts as Kealy returns to the gridiron.

"This is Ryan Kealy's team," he said through ASU sports information director Mark Brand. "I am just trying to keep the it warm until he comes back."

Kealy was suspended over the summer for being arrested on charges of a driving under the influence. Three weeks ago he was named a student assistant for the Sun Devils, but was not issued gear and did not participate in practice. He ran on the sidelines during practice to keep in shape but has not taken a snap since last year's game against Arizona, where was injured, resulting in his fifth knee surgery.

"I have been working out a lot, running and doing a lot of agility work," Kealy said. "My knees haven't bothered me at all. I don't know (how long it will take to get into game shape) because I have never had to do this before, but I am going to do whatever it takes to get back into playing shape and to support this team in whatever way I can."

Snyder said last week that Kealy had done everything asked of him "to a tee," and as a result, he would be evaluated after the game against Colorado State. However, the coach couldn't wait and Kealy was reinstated before the game, which allowed him to roam the sidelines.

"It was my first game on the sidelines since I was a redshirt freshman," Kealy said. "It was nice to be involved, and that was the part I like about it. It's nice to have the feeling of being a part of something that can be really special, and I really believe that."

Upon his return, Snyder listed Kealy, who took snaps for the first time Tuesday, as the Sun Devils' fourth quarterback on their depth chart for this week's home game against Utah State. However, having your most experienced quarterback fourth on your depth chart could pose problems in preparation.

"I know that you cannot prepare four quarterbacks to get ready to play; your starter needs to take most of the snaps," he said. "But I also believe that once you've allowed a player on your team, as a full member of your team, he should have a full opportunity to compete."

So that leaves one unanswered question: If Krohn continues his struggles of putting points on the board -- the offense has only two touchdowns in two games -- will Kealy move up the depth chart over Griffin Goodman and Matt Cooper and start at No. 8 UCLA the following week?

"I'll just have to use my best judgement as to how do I get Jeff improved over what he was, be fair to Griffin and Matt, and to look at Ryan," Snyder said.

Around the Pac-10

Arizona
The Wildcats may have found a new star at running back against San Diego State in true freshman Clarence Farmer. After subpar performances in the first two games by the rushing attack of Leo Mills and Larry Croom, coach Dick Tomey gave Farmer a chance and he ran with it, rushing for a game-high 95 yards on 13 carries. The overall running game prospered with the help of Farmer, as they carried the ball 27 times for 180 yards. ... Redshirt freshman WR Andrae Thurman filled in nicely for the injured Bobby Wade (shoulder) against SDSU, catching six balls for 82 yards. He also recovered a blocked punt and returned it for a touchdown to seal the 17-3 victory. Wade is probable for the Cats' next game at Stanford on Sept. 30. ... The secondary, which was widely criticized a year ago for being inept, has been totally revamped with new, young starters that have progressed nicely. They have broken up 21 passes this year, compared to 24 all season from last year's group.

Arizona State
The game against Utah State Saturday at Sun Devil Stadium marks the first time that Snyder will coach against his old team. He was the head coach of the Aggies from 1976-82, compiling a 37-38-2 record in the seven years. In 1978, Snyder was named Big West coach of the year. ... Like their in-state rival from Tucson, the Sun Devils also had a true freshman running back emerge. Mike Williams rushed for 143 yards and a touchdown on 32 carries in his first career start against Colorado State. It was the first time that a true freshman topped the century mark for the Sun Devils. ... RB Davaren Hightower (pneumonia) is recovering nicely and may not need to medical redshirt this season. "I learned that he is up to 200 pounds, so he's starting to get his weight back," Snyder said. "He told me he had dropped to 192 and he reported at 212, so it's a pretty significant amount of weight (to lose)." Snyder added that Hightower has not worked outside yet, but has done work inside on the exercise bicycle and treadmill. He is also finally holding his food down. ... The ASU defense has held opponents to just 17 points in two games, which is the best since 1986. They are first in the Pac-10 and sixth in the nation in scoring defense. They have not allowed a rushing touchdown.

Cal
Punter Nick Harris was named the Pac-10 special teams player of the week after his performance at Illinois, a game the Bears lost 17-15. Harris averaged 41.4 yards on 12 punts. He downed 10 punts inside the Illini 14-yard line, including a 64-yarder that forced Illinois to start at its own 3. Illini coach Ron Turner was so impressed he said, "If I had a Heisman vote right now, I'd vote for Nick Harris. I have never, ever seen a situation like that. He had the best day I've ever seen by a punter in my life." ... Despite three new members in their secondary, the Bears haven't shown any difficulties. They are 10th in the nation in pass efficiency defense with a rating of 85.4. They held Illinois to just 7-of-24 passing, although those numbers increased when Heisman candidate Kurt Kittner was injured. The Bears' next opponent, Fresno State, is ranked 23rd in the nation in passing, averaging 267 yards per game.

Oregon
The students at the University of Oregon will get their chance to flash "Hi Mom" signs on national television this Saturday, as ESPN College Gameday rolls into town. Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit will conduct their show outside of Autzen Stadium before the Ducks kickoff in a Pac-10 battle with No. 8 UCLA. ... QB Joey Harrington threw four touchdown passes and was 14-of-21 for 173 yards in just a little over two quarters of play against Idaho. RB Maurice Morris also provided some spark, rushing for two touchdowns in the 42-13 victory. ... Ducks assistant coach Gary Campbell is a former Bruin running back.

Oregon State
The Beavers will be the third Pac-10 team to play San Diego State when the Aztecs come into Corvallis, Ore. this Saturday. ... Coach Dennis Erickson said that he is still concerned with the passing game, but he said he would not pull QB Jonathan Smith if the game is close. "Jonathan is our No. 1 guy, and unless we get in a situation where we feel comfortable with a lead -- which we haven't -- then I don't foresee it in the future. You're not going to see another quarterback. I'd like to, but sometimes you can't choose what you like all the time." ... Erickson also said that if he were the opposing coach, he would force the Beavers to throw the ball in order to take away the run, which has been the Beavers' bread and butter this year. ... Erickson said that LB James Allen is still sidelined with a right hip injury, but he has a chance to play this Saturday. "He had some different treatment this week and he's better than he was," Erickson said. "He's got a chance. It'll be a day-by-day question and a day-by-day answer."

Stanford
The Cardinal erased the demons of last year's 69-17 loss at Texas and its recent 40-27 loss to San Jose State by beating the Longhorns at Stanford Stadium 27-24 last Saturday. Stanford may have also found a new quarterback in the process. Chris Lewis stepped into only his second career game, replacing the injured Randy Fasani, and threw 214 yards and three touchdowns en route to the win over the Horns, who were previously ranked sixth in the nation. ... Coach Tyrone Willingham said Fasani had an MRI that showed a torn meniscus in his knee. They scheduled a scope for Sept. 29 that will give the full picture of the injury. "Randy is out for the Arizona game (Sept. 30)," Willingham said. ... Willingham also said freshman Teyo Johnson will step up to the No. 2 QB spot in the wake of Fasani's injury. ... The win over Texas was Stanford's first over a Top 10 team in the Willingham era. ... The defensive line, led by Willie Howard, held the Longhorns to just 13 yards rushing. ... Stanford has 27 tackles for a loss this season led by LB Rial Johnson's six. LB Coy Wire, a converted running back, has five and Howard has four.

UCLA
DE Kenyon Coleman underwent arthroscopic surgery for a torn meniscus in his knee cartilage on Tuesday and is expected to be out 4-6 weeks. ... QB Ryan McCann overcame his difficulties against Fresno State on Sept. 9, where he was yanked from the game by coach Bob Toledo, and threw for 236 yards and two touchdowns on 21-of-40 passing against Michigan in the Bruins' 27-24 win. UM quarterback John Navarre, who came into the game leading the nation in pass efficiency, was just the opposite. He was only 8-of-28 for 111 yards and barely did anything in the second half, throwing for 37 yards on just 1-of-10 passing.

USC
The Trojans have a deceptively tough battle on the slate this Saturday when San Jose State comes into Los Angeles. The Spartans beat Stanford two weeks ago and are led by RB Deonce Whitaker, who is third in the nation in rushing. He has 57 carries for 548 yards, including a 254-yard day against the Cardinal. Stanford's Willingham called him the best back the Cardinal may face all season. ... The game against SJSU will be the 500th USC game in the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. It is also the second all-time meeting between the two schools. ... The Trojans are coming off their second bye week of the season and now have "10 games to run for the Roses," according to coach Paul Hackett. ... QB Carson Palmer is 35-of-50 for 362 yards and a touchdown this season, including a performance that saw him throw 25-of-30 for 275 yards and a TD against Colorado two weeks ago.

Washington
NT Larry Tripplett was named the Bronco Nagurski defensive player of the week by the Football Writer's Association of America for his performance against Colorado. Tripplett also won the Pac-10 award in the same capacity. He had eight tackles (six unassisted) and three sacks against the Buffaloes. He also recovered a Colorado fumble on their last drive, sealing the Huskies' 17-14 win. ... The Huskies have a bye week before they battle with Oregon, a game that could prove to have a lot of influence in who becomes the conference champ.

Washington State
The Cougars handed Utah their third straight defeat at the hands of a Pac-10 team -- second at home -- and may have finally gotten the game out of QB Jason Gesser that they have been waiting for. Gesser was 11-of-18 for 211 yards in the game. But even more impressive were his four touchdown passes of 29, 26, 29 and 57 yards, respectively. For his performance, Gesser earned the conference's offensive player of the week award. ... The Cougars, who reached .500 for the first time since 1998, face Idaho this week at home. The Vandals are coming off a blowout loss against Oregon 42-13.

ALSO SEE
Big East notebook

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Big West notebook

Conference USA notebook

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Mountain West notebook

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