Osweiler feels ready if called upon

Freshman quarterback Brock Osweiler saw action with the first-team offense in practice for the first time since the start of the season Thursday. He managed the top group through its two minute offense segment, which concluded practice.

Osweiler said the adjustment to working with ASU's top receivers is something he won't be able to prepare for prior to Saturday's game at Washington State.

"There are some differences. I've thrown pretty much mostly to the No. 2 receivers this week and all the weeks this season," Osweiler said. "I haven't thrown a lot of routes with Chris (McGaha) and Kyle (Williams) and those guys. That's just one of the things I'm going to have to adjust to on the fly and hopefully make the best of it when I get in the game."

Osweiler, a native of Kalispell, Mont., is expected to have approximately 50 family member and friends make the five hour drive to Martin Stadium for the game. How much of him they'll see in the game remains to be determined, but Sun Devil coach Dennis Erickson has repeatedly said Osweiler will play.

Senior Danny Sullivan remains the team's starter, and Osweiler has worked to adjust to an unfamiliar role, one he hasn't had for a majority of his playing career to this point.

"When you know you're the starting quarterback going into a game you know you're prepared to play," Osweiler said. "You get your mindset ready because you know you're the guy that day. Being the backup this season I've tried to do my best to prepare myself like a starter and be ready to play. I feel like I have been and this Saturday I get to show it finally."

Playing in front of dozens of supporters and potentially in a situation more relevant to the outcome of the game should make for an exciting afternoon, and Osweiler admitted there may be some butterflies.

"I'm sure [there will be some nerves] but at the same time it's just another game," Osweiler said. "I've played in two games already, I've been in multiple scrimmages. You can't let the moment get to you. You've just got to do it like you do every day in practice and play fundamental football."

Bolden doubtful

Arizona State junior cornerback Omar Bolden is doubtful for Saturday's game at Washington State Erickson said following practice Thursday.

Bolden suffered a mild medial collateral ligament sprain in a collision with senior cornerback Terell Carr in practice Wednesday and did not participate in the team's Thursday session.

Last week, Bolden was a reserve at corner, playing behind Carr and senior Pierre Singfield. He started the previous week at Georgia.

Bolden has frequently started alongside redshirt freshman Keelan Johnson as the deep backs on kickoff returns. Last week, junior LeQuan Lewis played in that role and had five returns for 73 yards.