Arizona State Will Face Hawaii Without Tana Alo-Tupuola
The Sun Devils adjust their offensive line depth ahead of Saturday's matchup at Mountain America Stadium.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Football
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Arizona State starting center Tana Alo-Tupuola will miss the game against Hawaii on October 11, 2026. His absence follows a week of missed practices for the team in Tempe.
Why it matters
The team must reorganize its offensive line rotation for Saturday's contest. The stability of the center position remains a key question as the coaching staff evaluates backup options.
Tana Alo-Tupuola logged 75 snaps against Baylor, while candidate Wade Helton brings experience from his 422 snaps at center during the previous season.
The players
Tana Alo-Tupuola
He is the starting center for the Arizona State football team.
Wade Helton
He is an offensive lineman who previously started at right guard for Arizona State.
Makua Pule
He serves as the primary backup option at the center position for Arizona State.
The details
Wade Helton, who has not played since the September 12 game against Texas A&M, remains a game-time decision due to his ankle injury. If Helton is unavailable, Makua Pule is expected to start at center for the team.
Timeline
September 12, 2026: Wade Helton sustained an ankle injury against Texas A&M.
October 10, 2026: Tana Alo-Tupuola was absent from practice throughout the week.
October 11, 2026: Arizona State plays Hawaii without Tana Alo-Tupuola.
Season Trajectory
This lineup change forces a shift in the Sun Devils' interior protection strategy during a critical stretch of the season. The offensive line stability will influence the team's ability to maintain continuity as they navigate conference play.
The absence of Tana Alo-Tupuola shifts the starting assignment to either Wade Helton or Makua Pule for the upcoming Saturday game. Rain is expected at Mountain America Stadium throughout the night, which may further complicate the snap exchanges for the new center.
The takeaway
Sudden changes at the center position require rapid adjustments to offensive line communication and timing. Fans should look for the finalized starting lineup closer to kickoff to understand how the front line will manage the rainy conditions.
Further reading
For more updates on team depth, visit Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Arizona Sports.
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