ASU football will be without two key players in first half of opener

TEMPE, Ariz. — The opening game of the 2023 campaign for Arizona State football is just a few days away, but ASU will be without two key players for the first half. Both wide receiver Elijhah Badger and linebacker Will Shaffer won’t be able to play in the first half on Thursday against Southern Utah.

Two key players out for the first half of opener

Badger and Shaffer will not suit up for the first half of ASU’s opener thanks to personal fouls/targeting penalties from the final game of 2022 against Arizona. The rules of college football state if you get ejected for any flag, including targeting, in the second half of a contest, you must miss the first half of the next game. In this case, the next game is the first game of 2023, against Southern Utah.

Badger is without a doubt one of Arizona State’s most important offensive weapons. Last season he racked up 70 catches for 866 yards and seven touchdowns, including eight receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown against Arizona. True freshman quarterback Jaden Rashada will have to deal with being without one of his new favorite targets.

Shaffer, who is also suspended, is a redshirt junior linebacker. The Arizona native doesn’t get a ton of snaps on the defensive side of the ball but makes his biggest impact on special teams. Last season Shaffer appeared on 195 special teams snaps, good for 19th in FBS. He also appeared in all 12 games last season.

Arizona State will need to fight more adversity this week after the announcement of their bowl ban. Starting your season without two returners who appeared in every game last season creates a challenge, no matter the opponent. We’ll see how the Sun Devils compete in the first half against Southern Utah.

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