Less than a year after losing to Utah 55-3, Arizona State flipped the script with a gutsy 27-19 victory over the No. 16 Utes in Tempe Friday night, prompting a field storm by the Sun Devil fans.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Sun Devils, projected to finish last in the Big 12, moved to 5-1 (2-1 in Big 12) with the victory, and it could not have meant more for second-year coach Kenny Dillingham, who graduated from ASU and is an Arizona native.
“I was one of these guys! I was doing this! I was doing this!” an emotional Dillingham said in his ESPN postgame interview while jumping up and down with students on the field.
Please take 90 seconds out of your day to watch the greatest postgame interview of all time
— Barstool ASU (@tempebarstool) October 12, 2024
As he has all season, Arizona State running back Cameron Skattebo dominated with 22 carries for 158 yards and two touchdowns, which were from 50 and 47 yards out.
“He’s got a dog mentality,” Dillingham said in the interview of Skattebo. “This team fights, and they fight and they fight! That’s who you need to talk to (Skattebo), not me!”
Cam. Freaking. Skattebo.
The @ASUFootball running back went off in the Sun Devils' upset win over No. 16 Utah.
22 CAR | 158 YDS | 2 TDS
4 REC | 41 YDS#Big12FB | @ASUFootball pic.twitter.com/zl84eZfmFJ— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) October 12, 2024
The defense also impressed, imposing its will with three interceptions, four tackles for loss and eight quarterback hits on veteran Cameron Rising, who only completed 16-of-37 passes for 209 yards. Redshirt senior linebacker Caleb McCullough had two of the interceptions and a team-high 12 tackles (1.5 for loss).
“We fought, man, we competed,” Dillingham shouted. “That’s what football is about–competing!”
Arizona State has finally moved past the NCAA sanctions from the Herm Edwards era, and Dillingham has done more than anyone on the outside could have thought with his team, as they now are one win away from a bowl game after a 3-9 season last year and somehow have put themselves in competition for first place in the Big 12.
“We put in the work,” Dillingham said. “Our kids care. We have kids that care, that do it for each other, and they love this s—!”
Pregame notes: Former Pac-12 rivalry between ASU, Utah reborn in Big 12 showdown
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, exclusive content, and access to our seasonal magazines! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
