TEMPE — Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham was vocal about the rollercoaster of a season the team has had this year.
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Sep 6, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Kenny Dillingham reacts during the first quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Sitting with a 6-3 overall record and a 4-2 record in Big 12 play, the Sun Devils still have a long way to go.
Dillingham acknowledged Arizona State’s ascension and setbacks, reflecting both progress and some disappointment.
“We’ve been horrible at responding to success this year,” Dillingham said on Monday, according to FOX 10’s Blake Niemann. “We’ve been really good at responding to failure. We have not responded to playing a good football game or beating a good team well. We need to show this season that we can play a good football game and come back and play another one.”
Sep 13, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils offensive lineman Rob Lapuaho (56) and Uriah Neloms (81) pregame against the Texas State Bobcats at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images
Arizona State’s narrative has changed. The Sun Devils are no longer in the rebuilding stage but have become one of the teams to beat among other programs. It’s not always just about winning games, but rather the challenge is managing external factors and maintaining momentum when the program is at its highest.
ASU has found ways to win games and beat quality opponents, most notably Texas Tech. However, the Sun Devils have also faced challenges against inferior teams, such as Utah. While their 6-3 record isn’t bad, it highlights several areas of concern.
Oct 18, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back Cameron Dickey (center) is tackled by the Arizona State Sun Devils defense in the first half at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Despite some hiccups, Dillingham expresses his anticipation for how his team responds coming out of the bye week.
“I’m excited to see if our guys can go out there, play with the same passion and energy back-to-back weeks,” he said.
Dillingham has always been vocal and honest about his coaching, a rare form of accountability not always found at the highest levels of sports. He’s managing the high expectations he’s helped establish since last year, grappling with how to lead the team through turbulence and many key pieces out for the year.
Arizona State defensive lineman Prince Dorbah (32) celebrates a strip sack against TCU during a game at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Sept. 26, 2025. © Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Sun Devils have three games remaining in Big 12 play, and Dillingham remains focused on continuing to set the team up for success through the rest of the season.
“If we were healthy, I’d probably be not thrilled but decently happy with where we’re at,” said Dillingham. “This conference is ruthless…With all the injuries, I’m very impressed by our guys’ ability to keep fighting… We got a lot of season to be played. I hope our guys are rejuvenated and ready to go these last three weeks.”
No Sun Devil Football this weekend so here is all our touchdowns from this season ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/LHbgR1wrwM
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) November 8, 2025
Arizona State will face West Virginia on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 11 a.m.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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