Leave it to Arizona State coach Herm Edwards to come up with a way to keep his team focused and competitive when there was no season on the horizon.

Like everyone else, the Sun Devils had been in a holding pattern since March when the coronavirus pandemic resulted in a stoppage of activities seven sessions into spring practice.

The Pac-12 finally announced a return to play on Thursday with the first games to kick off the Nov. 6 weekend. But it has been a long six months. What better way to keep his players’ attention then tapping into what they know best – video games.

The team is having a Madden tournament, complete with a draft and games against each other.

“We wanted to keep them in a competitive mode. As players they like to compete. That’s what they do.”

Edwards, now into his third season, admits the current situation has presented a lot of challenges. The pandemic interrupted a season in which the Sun Devils are installing a new offense as well as a new defense.

While it is good to get back on the field, Edwards is cautious about looking too far ahead, citing the unknowns that come with the virus which has already resulted in 21 games involving FBS school being canceled.

He talked about what happens if even one player goes down, particularly if its the quarterback.

“Jayden Daniels is in a bubble,” he said, talking to reporters via Zoom call for the first time since the Pac-12 announcement. “I told everybody don’t go near him, don’t talk to him. Your quarterback goes down you’re in big trouble.”

ASU, 8-5 including a Sun Bowl victory last year, has the luxury of a lot of returning players, particularly on defense.  Several schools have had top players opt out of the season but Edwards says there were no players on his squad that even came to him and talked about considering that.

The Pac-12 is expected to come out with schedules some time next week.

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Reach the reporter at [email protected] or 602 444-4783.  Follow her on Twitter @MGardnerSports.

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