Even In Loss, Sun Devils Show Growth Against USC

Kenny Dillingham made it clear: There are no moral victories at this level of football. 

That being said, the Sun Devils can take a lot from their 42-28 loss to USC. 

First off, the fact that Arizona State scored 28 points Saturday after being shut out by Fresno State and turning over the ball eight times is a Princess Diaries level glow-up. Kenny Dillingham called plays instead of Beau Baldwin, and at times the head coach got weird in the best ways possible. There were fake punts. Attendees did not know what would be called next, including the USC defense. There were Wild Skat formations with Cameron Skattebo running and throwing the ball. 

The transfer running back had his best day yet as a Sun Devil, rushing for 111 yards and a score, catching four passes – tied for a season-high – for 79 yards and another score. At the end of the first quarter, he was out-throwing starting quarterback Drew Pyne with his 42 passing yards as well. 

Dillingham’s play-calling also got the ball in his playmaker’s hands. Skattebo went off. Elijhah Badger caught nine passes for 88 yards and a score. Jalin Conyers added five passes for 71 yards. 

It may not be the full embodiment of the high-flying Dillingham/Baldwin brain-child, but it’s far and away the most complete the offense has looked, and against the No. 5 team in the country. 

The defense did not shut down Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams – who ended the night with five total touchdowns – but who expected that?

The Trojan offense had their moments, but the defense kept the Sun Devils in the game. There were multiple drives where if USC found the end zone, the game could be out of reach. Time and again, the defense stepped up only allowing a field goal or stuffing the Trojans on fourth down. 

Defensive coordinator Brian Ward has this group playing hard. They can get in the backfield. They don’t miss on tackles often. Most aspects of the defense have been as advertised. The turnovers have been surprisingly missing, and that changed tonight with Tate Romney recovering a fumble while USC was in the red zone. If the Sun Devils can start cutting opponent’s drives short, this can be a top defense in a conference where you need one to compete. 

While the reasons for positivity are encouraging, there’s also going to be things that keep the Sun Devil coaching staff up at Saturday night. 

There’s the 3rd & 20 USC converted on the opening drive. Shutting the door on the potent USC offense could have helped set the tone for the game. The Trojans seemed on their heels and out of rhythm early in the game. They were able to bail themselves out and score on the opening drive. 

You know Caleb Williams and Lincoln Riley will get their shots, you can’t give them more opportunities to find the end zone. 

On third down and in the red zone, Cam Skattebo aired it out to running back Kyson Brown with nothing but green in front of the running back. If the catch is made, it’s a touchdown. They were unable to connect, and opted for a field goal. They kept it a one-score game at 21-13, but a touchdown continues to amp up the pressure on USC. 

Dillingham also said he could have been more effective as a play-caller on first & second down in the second half to set up his offensive line better for positive plays. As the game wore on, the pass rush of USC was more effective, leading to more negative plays for Arizona State. If there are more manageable second and third downs, could the offense master up a few more scores and we are talking about a major upset in the Pac-12? 

Regardless, the question that was on everyone’s mind last week was “Where do we begin?” to turn this ship around. The coaching staff and the Sun Devil faithful likely prefer nitpicking an encouraging performance seven days later.