In a dramatic display of weather, Pac-12 After Dark unleashed a storm of dust, lightning, and rain, causing a significant delay that left Arizona State football stuck in unfavorable conditions. However, the Sun Devils managed to persevere and secure a win in an ugly second half, marking coach Kenny Dillingham’s successful debut. Jaden Rashada proved instrumental with 236 passing yards and two touchdowns, leading Arizona State to a hard-fought 24-21 victory over Southern Utah, despite the lengthy weather interruption.
Acknowledging the need for improvement, Dillingham remarked, “We have a lot of areas to address, but we got the job done.” The Sun Devils dominated the first half, building a 21-7 lead with Rashada’s 3-yard touchdown pass to Troy Omeire amidst the chaotic dust storm. However, the arrival of thunderstorms extended the delay, and when gameplay resumed with only a few loyal fans in the stands, Arizona State struggled to maintain their momentum against the FCS opponent, hampered by the persistent rain.
Dillingham emphasized the importance of responding effectively to rain delays, stating, “A rain delay is a manageable situation in a football game. We need to stay focused and regain control when faced with such circumstances, which is the opposite of what happened in the first half.” The Sun Devils nearly paid the price for their setback.
Southern Utah experienced a setback of their own when a 68-yard reception was nullified due to a targeting penalty early in the third quarter. However, they fought back, with Justin Miller connecting with Isaiah Wooden for a 52-yard reception. This set up a 17-yard touchdown pass to Zach Mitchell, narrowing the gap to 21-14.
Arizona State’s offense struggled, but a crucial 81-yard kickoff return by Elijah Badger gave them a first-and-goal opportunity. Unfortunately, three holding calls, including one that annulled a touchdown, hindered their progress, resulting in a 38-yard field goal by Dario Longhetto. The Thunderbirds capitalized on the Sun Devils’ continued struggles as George Ramirez returned Jordan Washington’s blocked punt for a 47-yard touchdown, bringing the score to 24-21.
To secure the win, Arizona State employed a ground-and-pound strategy, relying on the talents of Cam Skattebo, who amassed 71 rushing yards and a touchdown, in addition to four receptions for 41 yards. The Sun Devils successfully ran down the clock and sealed the victory, continuing their impressive streak of 24 consecutive home opener wins, ranking third among FBS teams, following Florida (33) and Oklahoma State (27).
“We need to always be prepared to play more football, regardless of the time,” Skattebo emphasized as he reflected on the late-night victory.
Throughout the first half, Rashada demonstrated impressive skills, securing his starting role after having a tumultuous journey that included commitments to Miami and Florida before ultimately choosing Arizona State. Rashada’s 33-yard pass to Melquan Stovall, coupled with Skattebo’s 6-yard touchdown run, provided the Sun Devils with an early advantage on their opening drive. He continued to exhibit his talent by throwing a 47-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Gullory on a fourth-and-8 play, followed by a dusty touchdown pass to Omeire just before halftime.
Although Rashada encountered some difficulties in the second half, misfiring on several passes, he eventually found his rhythm, completing 18 of 31 passes overall. Dillingham praised Rashada’s performance, saying, “I thought he did a phenomenal job. He just couldn’t find his groove. Our offensive unit needs to support him better, helping him regain his rhythm.”
Both teams struggled with penalties, common in the early stages of a season. Arizona State accumulated nine penalties for 100 yards, including a holding call that nullified Skattebo’s touchdown. Southern Utah received eight penalties for 71 yards.
Considering the game as a learning experience, Southern Utah can take away valuable lessons from their close battle against a Pac-12 opponent. Arizona State, on the other hand, acknowledges the need for improvement, particularly during the challenging second half.
Looking ahead, Southern Utah has a matchup against BYU on September 9, while Arizona State is set to host Oklahoma State on the same day.
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