Jordan Hamm
“I can honestly saw I’ve never seen that happen.”
Lincoln Kennedy said this during the Pac-12 Network’s Saturday broadcast of ASU football against UCLA.
This particular example was when the Sun Devils took three false start and a delay of game penalty before punting to UCLA in the 4th quarter.
The Sun Devils had a 10-0 lead with 13:37 left in the game.
ASU moved back 20 yards and peeled off 97 seconds in the process.
It was weird.
But it was crucial.
And it’s just one particular instance of Dillingham taking the…let’s call it “unique” route.
But we know Kenny Dillingham doesn’t mind looking unique.
We’ve seen the Wildskat formation since Week 2.
Cameron Skattebo scores in Wildcat (Wildskat?) formation to give ASU a 7-0 lead.
— Jordan Hamm (@JordyHamm) September 10, 2023
We’ve seen the crazy offensive line sets.
First pic: Arizona State's formation setup inside the five-yard line last week. Resulted in a QB sneak for a TD.
Second pic: Washington's two-point attempt today against Oregon. Screen pass and two-point conversion. pic.twitter.com/zVbkqzh4Kh
— Jordan Hamm (@JordyHamm) October 14, 2023
Part of these crazy looks has been necessity. The injuries, especially along the offensive line and quarterback position, has made life incredibly difficult to even pull off a field goal attempt.
Part of it is Kenny Dillingham doesn’t care how it looks. If it helps him win, he’ll do it.
On Saturday, we saw a swinging gate time and again, which stifled the prominent UCLA pass rush. Running back Cam Skattebo threw ASU’s only passing touchdown. Tight end Jalin Conyers bombed a ball deep to Elijhah Badger with 4:36 left in the game that drew a defensive pass interference, extending the drive.
What a toss by @camskattebo5 🏈#ForksUp /// #ActivateTheValley
📺: @Pac12Network pic.twitter.com/K2x7y1YbyP
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) November 12, 2023
There was the whole back-to-back-to-back-to-back penalty thing.
Purists will clutch their neck-rolls, but ASU got the win.
Identity and culture is important to a college football team, but sometimes it can be a crutch.
Think back to some of ASU’s previous coaches.
How often did we see the Sun Devils run head-first into a wall time and again with Herm Edwards because “that’s who we are” or “it’s part of our process”? Running that conservative approach, no matter the opponent, was what was going to happen.
If the Devils got beat, it wasn’t going to be the scheme’s fault. It was the execution or the talent disparity.
Never the scheme.
From what we’ve seen 10 games into the Dillingham era is the offense will run on its hands if it can notch them a first down.
The identity of this team is to adapt and do whatever you can to get the win.
I don’t think anyone thought how much adaptation will be needed. The injuries have piled up and haven’t relented all year, but neither have these Sun Devil players and coaches.
Some would say the formations, play calls and decisions they saw out of the Sun Devils on Saturday was insane.
But as the old adage goes, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
By the logic, ASU’s approach on Saturday was the furthest thing from insane.
