ASU quarterback Emory Jones cleared to resume play, expected to be starter
Arizona State football coach Shaun Aguano said he's never been a proponent of a player losing a starting spot due to injury. So, it's Emory Jones back as the starting quarterback for the Sun Devils (2-4, 1-2), who are now preparing for a showdown against Stanford (2-4, 0-4) at 1 p.m. Saturday on the road.
Jones, who won the starting job after transferring from Florida in May, was knocked out of ASU's home upset of then No. 21 Washington on Oct. 8. He took a blow to the head from the Huskies' Asa Tuner while sliding at the end of a play in the second quarter with ASU trailing 10-3.
Turner was ejected for targeting, and Jones did not return.
Backup Trenton Bourguet entered and did an admirable job, completing 15 of 21 attempts for 182 yards and three touchdowns. The only flaw in an otherwise brilliant performance was an interception that led to a Washington touchdown that tied the score at 38 early in the fourth quarter.
The Sun Devils answered with Bourguet throwing a 2-yard touchdown pass to Elijhah Badger for the touchdown that proved to be the difference in the 45-38 upset.
In his usual Monday briefing, Aguano said that Jones had been fully cleared.
The ASU offense struggled offensively early in the season, and while not all the blame can go directly on Jones, some in the fan base have lobbied for Bourget to get the chance to be the starter.
Jones was off to a good start before being knocked out of the game with 59 yards on a 7-for-9 passing. His running ability gives the offense a dynamic that isn't there with Bourguet taking the snaps.
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"My philosophy was we're never going to penalize a injured player, so it's Emory's job back and we'll see how it all plays out," Aguano said. "We're going to handle it exactly the same way that we prepared all the rest of the games. Emory's fully cleared and he's back, so within our racks, within our practice periods, we give the first guy primarily most of the reps and then the next guy four or five reps."
Aguano, who took the reins of the program when Herm Edwards departed, also said he's not a fan of a dual quarterback system because he thinks continuity and one quarterback getting in an offensive rhythm is important.
“I've never been a fan of splitting quarterbacks just because the rhythm that somebody goes in," he said. "Now, if somebody is not getting the job done, I'm here to win football games too. So, if somebody is not getting the job done, I can make those decisions really quick, but I don't feel that splitting reps or splitting series, just the continuity of the game doesn't bode well in my experience.”
Aguano did double down on past comments that he was not surprised Bourguet had the breakout game because of the way he prepares, even as a backup. Bourguet has said he'd like to be a coach some day so he is studious in his approach which meant he was more than ready when called upon.
Henderson likely out
The bye week was of considerable help to a number of injured players. Aguano said most are expected back for this week's game. The exception will likely be left guard LaDarius Henderson who sustained a hand injury in the second half of the Washington game.
Henderson, also one of the team captains, was the second starter ASU was without in that game with Emmit Bohle starting for Des Holmes at right tackle. Ben Bray entered in relief of Henderson and despite being undermanned that unit did not allow a sack.
Aguano said Henderson was going to have another evaluation of the hand but his expectation was that Henderson likely won't be ready to go this week.
Edwards buyout decided
When Edwards departed, athletic director Ray Anderson said the school was still negotiating a buyout. Well, that has been resolved and Edwards is getting a 50% buyout of his remaining salary, which amounts to approximately $4.4 million paid through 2024.
Edwards, who was making $3.7 million in 2021, signed a two-year contract extension in January of 2020, extending his deal into December 2024.
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The base salary in the contract extension was $700,000 with a bonus of $2.8 million and an increase by $200,000 annually, with supplemental compensations for conference performance, regular season wins and bowl appearances.
Edwards will keep his $590,000 academic performance bonus, benefits until April 2024 or the date on which he begins another job, and about half of the money from the remaining years on his contract.
Game times announced
ASU's game at Colorado on Oct. 29 will kick off at 4:30 p.m. Arizona time and air on ESPNU.
Other games that day will pit Oregon at California at 12:30 p.m on FOX or FS1, USC at Arizona at 4 p.m. on Pac-12 Network and Stanford at UCLA at 7:30 pm. on ESPN.
There is also a Thursday game that week with Utah at Washington State at 7 p.m. on FS1.
Reach the reporter at Michelle.Gardner@gannett.com or 602 444-4783. Follow her on Twitter @MGardnerSports.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona State quarterback Emory Jones cleared to start Saturday
