‘We looked like we belonged’: Dillingham likes what ASU did at Texas A&M outside of turnovers

Four turnovers changed the complexion of Arizona State’s showing in a 48-20 loss at Texas A&M on Saturday, turning an otherwise respectable performance into a one-sided ending.

Three of ASU’s turnovers came on consecutive possessions in the fourth quarter, including two interceptions by Cutter Boley that were returned for touchdowns. The Aggies outscored the Sun Devils 24-0 in the final frame.

It was not lost on head coach Kenny Dillingham that ASU (1-1) hung in there for a majority of the game in a hostile environment with 107,523 in attendance. ASU outgained Texas A&M (2-0) by 114 total yards, had two more first downs and averaged 5.9 yards per play to Texas A&M’s 4.3.

The Sun Devils scored a touchdown with 3:39 left in the third quarter that made it a 24-20 deficit before the game unraveled.

“You watch the game … and we looked like we belonged. That wasn’t an issue,” Dillingham told reporters postgame. “We just made the mistakes, starting from the staff, and those mistakes were critical.”

So what did Dillingham say happened on the turnovers?

• Cory Butler Jr.’s muffed punt: “Lost the ball in the sun.”
• Boley’s first pick six: “Called a play-action shot. Shouldn’t have; bad call by me.”
• Kyson Brown’s fumble: “Just fumbled.”
• Boley’s second pick six: “Just pure miscommunication. Thought we were throwing something else.”

The head coach said ASU “played pretty good” outside of the four plays, but those were back-breaking as the Sun Devils tried to claw back.

“Like I told the guys, I made a lot of mistakes in the game. I got to be better, but we can play with anybody,” Dillingham said. “Anybody who watches that game is going to look at the score and be like, ‘What? How did that happen?’ … But it was what happened, so we got to reload, and rock and roll from there.”

Beyond the turnovers, the Sun Devils were unable to overcome a penalty-riddled performance that included nine flags, including five in the first half after just four in the opener. Several came in key moments, such as on defensive stands that would’ve otherwise ended an Aggie drive or on a chunk offensive play that was negated.

Texas A&M’s only flag of the game came with 7:46 left in the game, which Dillingham called “impressive.”

“We played a good football game for the most part, solidly clean football,” the head coach said. “I got to look at these penalties just because all of them weren’t procedural before I make comments on them, but we just can’t turn the ball over four times.”

ASU will fly to Dallas for dinner Saturday night before getting on the 10-hour flight to England ahead of facing Kansas at Wembley Stadium next Saturday.

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