ASU Defeats BYU, Takes Command of the Big 12 Standings
Ryan Myers
Staff Writer
“I don’t know how long I’ll be here, but I don’t know if I’ll ever have a season that exceeds the expectations like this year,” Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham reflected after his team’s thrilling 28-23 victory over BYU.
Dillingham’s statement came in the wake of a preseason that saw the Sun Devils projected to finish last in the Big 12 Conference, following a disappointing 3-9 season in 2023. Despite these low expectations, Arizona State (9-2, 6-2 Big 12) defied the odds, overcoming doubt and skepticism to secure a crucial win in front of a sold-out crowd of 55,400 at Mountain America Stadium. The victory propelled ASU to the top of the Big 12 standings.
Saturday's contest also marked Senior Day in Tempe, with numerous Sun Devils playing their final game at home. Senior running back Cam Skattebo, a four-time Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, cemented his legacy with three first-half touchdowns and 159 all-purpose yards. His performance helped ASU jump out to a commanding 21-3 lead at halftime.
With the win, the Sun Devils now control their destiny: a victory next week over Arizona would not only secure their place in the Big 12 Championship game but also give them the No. 1 seed in any potential tiebreaker scenarios.
“It’s amazing just activating the valley,” said sophomore Jordyn Tyson. “The energy was unreal, with both crowds getting loud. It was awesome to be a part of.”
Dillingham emphasized the importance of staying focused: “Nobody cares what you did yesterday, and nobody’s going to care if we turn out to be a 9-3 football team. We want to do something special, and we’ve got to repeat it every day.”
ASU came out energized, with Skattebo’s three touchdowns leading the way. Redshirt freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt was efficient, completing six of 11 first-half passes, five of which were caught by Tyson for 81 of his 125 receiving yards. The Sun Devils’ first-half offense accumulated over 200 yards, with Skattebo adding 96 rushing yards to Leavitt’s 96 passing yards.
A key moment in the first half came when Dillingham and special teams coordinator Charlie Ragle opted for a low-risk onside kick, which they successfully recovered. This led to another touchdown and gave ASU a three-touchdown lead midway through the second quarter.
“We saw an opportunity to recover it, and it worked out,” Dillingham said. “It was a calculated risk, and it paid off.”
However, BYU (9-2, 6-2) showed why they had been undefeated until this point. Junior quarterback Jake Retzlaff came alive in the second half, passing for 208 of his 297 yards in the final two quarters. The Cougars also found success on the ground, with running back LJ Martin and wide receiver Keelan Martin making significant gains. BYU scored two touchdowns, and when Marlon Martin added his second of the game with 8:44 left in the fourth quarter, the momentum seemed to shift.
But despite the tense moments, Dillingham’s players remained confident. “We’re still winning,” he reassured his team. “Just make one play, and we’ve got this.”
The Sun Devils’ defense came through when it mattered most. With 1:15 left in the game, ASU defensive back Javan Robinson intercepted a pass from Retzlaff at the ASU 39-yard line, effectively sealing the win.
ASU then ran down the clock, leaving just seven seconds remaining. Leavitt’s final pass sailed out of bounds, prompting the fans to rush the field in celebration. However, the celebration was briefly halted as officials reviewed the clock, determining that one second remained. When the game resumed, BYU attempted a Hail Mary, but Retzlaff’s throw fell short, ensuring ASU’s victory.
“It doesn’t matter what happened at the end, we still got to rush the field twice,” Dillingham joked. “How many people get the chance to do that? We’ve got a lot more of that coming.”
Before the game, ASU finalized three-year contract extensions for both offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo and defensive coordinator Brian Ward, signaling the program’s commitment to long-term success.
Dillingham, who has turned the program around in a short period, made it clear that he wants more than a single successful season. “If you want to be part of this, buy season tickets,” he said. “This is what we want every Saturday. This was one of the best environments in college football, and we’re going to make it happen every week.”
Saturday’s victory was a historic one for ASU, marking their first undefeated season at home since 2004. For Dillingham, this isn’t just a one-time achievement—it’s the beginning of a new era for Sun Devil football.
“How expensive were these tickets?” Dillingham asked, smiling. “Next year, they’re going to be even higher, and you won’t want to miss a game.”