Report: Arizona State to start Notre Dame transfer Drew Pyne at QB against USC
Notre Dame transfer Drew Pyne will start at quarterback Saturday for Arizona State against USC, according to a report from Pete Thamel of ESPN.
It will be Pyne’s first start for the Sun Devils.
Pyne started 10 games for the Fighting Irish last season before entering the transfer portal in December. He was 164 of 254 passing for 2,021 yards and 22 touchdowns.
His final game with the Fighting Irish was against the Trojans, a game that USC won 38-27. Pyne was 23-for-26, throwing for a season-high 318 yards and three touchdowns with only one interceptions.
True freshman Jaden Rashada started the season for Arizona State, but picked up an injury in the second game of the year. Trenton Bourguet started last week before leaving due to injury.
Rashada is expected to be out four-to-six weeks.
Pyne replaced Bourguet, until he left the game injured. But it appears he is healthy enough to go this week.
When Pyne left in the third quarter, Jacob Conover took over as the quarterback.“Every one of us needs to train like we’re the starter,” Conover said after practice Tuesday. “That’s what makes a good QB room. Each of us is trying to make each other better each and every day. Whoever gets their name called on Saturday is going to be ready, and the guy behind them will also be ready. I think moving forward, that shows that each and every guy is going to get their name called at some point.”
Pyne was was expected to in contention for the starting quarterback role to begin the season. But he suffered a hamstring injury on Aug. 12 that resulted in him not being ready for when the year started.
He will be going up against a USC team that took a bye week in Week 3 after starting its season in Week 0. Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley said it was a productive bye week.
“It was a good week,” Riley said. “I thought the guys did a good job with their approach. Bye weeks can go a few different ways, and then it comes down to, I think, the team’s approach during that time. Are you out there to get work done or are you just punching the clock and excited about having a few days off on the weekend and all of that? I thought our guys handled it well.”