Podcast: Check out the latest edition of the Sun Devil Source Podcast, where @ChrisKarpman@Jakobrooks and @jakesloan_ break down everything to know ahead of ASU's matchup against Kansas State, presented by Jones Auto Centers.
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First Look: When ASU faced Kansas State in 2024, Avery Johnson was a young quarterback leading a college team for the first time. How have he and the rest of the program evolved since then?
An in-depth look at the Wildcats:
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LB coach AJ Cooper coached at Wyoming while Josh Allen played there and compared K-State QB Avery Johnson, whom ASU will face this weekend, to Allen:
"Guy who does some really scary things off-script when things break down. ... Every single play, you better account for him."
DL coach Diron Reynolds on ASU's run defense, which has been a hallmark of the team in years past but has struggled this season:
"On the opportunities that we have, get ourselves off the field, get our offense the ball back, and let things lie what they may."
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LB coach AJ Cooper on helping his room, which has struggled with missed tackles as of late, mitigate and improve upon mental mistakes:
"You're never gonna be perfect. The more you can limit those things and not compound each mistake, the better off you're gonna be."
Kenny Dillingham provided insight into the long meeting he had with ASU's staff earlier this week and said they need to remain adaptable:
"The landscape is changing constantly. The strategy of two years ago may be a horrible strategy right now."
Brian Ward described ASU's loss to Texas Tech as a game full of missed opportunities:
"Missed opportunities to really impact the game in critical situations... We've gotta give our guys better looks during the week to make sure they can execute in those situations."
Brian Ward said ASU's staff is all hands on deck to find the "little things" that are leading to their defensive struggles:
"What are we missing in practice that's translating to missing these situations in the game?"
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Following the report from @mzenitz that ASU will start Mikey Keene this Saturday, this post-practice comment from Kenny Dillingham about whether he's evaluating the QB position on a "game-to-game or series-to-series" basis carries weight:
"I believe that you go into a game and you have a guy... I don't know if there's as much of a plan, from like a (standpoint), if plan A doesn't work. You can create an 'oh shit...' plan, but it's probably not good if you're in 'oh shit' situations. I don't really think about 'oh shit' plans in those situations. I look at what is the plan to play our best football to win the football game, and we've gotta plan for that."
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Kenny Dillingham said Steve Nash spoke to the team this week, something Nash also did mid-season in 2024:
"To hear him talk about how you handle all those emotions that happen in sports, there's no way to hide from them... Everybody was gonna say the world is ending. How do you get back up and have the exact same process?"
A timely message that should resonate with ASU after a rough loss to Texas Tech.
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Arizona State is currently expected to make a QB change and start Mikey Keene against Kansas State on Saturday, sources tell @CBSSports.
Cutter Boley has started ASU’s first six games. Keene, who previously played at UCF, Fresno St. and Michigan, has 8,533 career passing yards.
ASU’s linebackers working 1-on-1 against RBs in pass rush.
Last year, LB Keyshaun Elliott lead ASU with 7.0 sacks. This year, the Sun Devils’ LBs have 0 sacks through six games
Amid Arizona State’s 3-3 start, Kenny Dillingham is banking on renewed confidence and a return to fundamentals to turn the Sun Devils’ season around.
“We’re very, very close.”
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Tuesday Report: Could ASU’s revived quarterback battle propel passion that lagged in previous weeks? No matter who starts on Saturday, the Sun Devils need an uptick in resiliency.
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