Rashada and Arizona State football prepare for Oklahoma State

TEMPE, Ariz. — “Every time you play football, you should get better,” Arizona State football head coach Kenny Dillingham said after practice. Early this morning, the Sun Devils were doing exactly that. Playing football and getting better.

Arizona State football practices for Oklahoma State

Jaden Rashada took all of the first team snaps this morning under the hot Arizona sun. The freshman faced some growing pains on Thursday against Southern Utah, and he faced some growing pains this morning at practice. On his first drive, he put together a 25-yard run and a nice long pass to wide receiver Melquan Stovall. A nice start.

Then came a miscommunication in the endzone. On a play a little bit after that Rashada got picked off trying to throw a pass while taking a hit.

Growing pains.

But Arizona State’s practice defense has done a good job preparing Rashada for the speed of college football.

“We have good practices out here, getting used to speed vs. our defense. And they give us good looks, so, I wasn’t surprised,” Rashada said about the adjustment to the college game. “I think football is still football.”

Jaden Rashada’s approach for Saturday

Football is still football, and that’s a good approach for the true freshman to have. It’s easy to be swallowed by the emotions of playing in front of tens of thousands of fans on national television. Rashada is simplifying things and staying focused on the work and preparation aspect.

“Doing what we practice out here, and mastering it,” Rashada said about his approach for this weekend’s game against Oklahoma State. “Just taking advantage of our opportunities.”

Dillingham had glowing things to say about Rashada’s mentality and work ethic, even with a non-conference opponent like Oklahoma State on the horizon.

“He learned from a few things, he’s out here working. That’s all he knows how to do. Same Jaden, coming out here to work.”

Same Jaden, and the same work with Oklahoma State on the clock.

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