ASU FOOTBALL

Arizona State football recovers onside kick late in 1st half, keeps BYU at bay

Nov 23, 2024, 3:20 PM | Updated: 9:59 pm


Already with a 14-0 advantage, Kenny Dillingham called a gutsy onside kick and Arizona State football recovered with just over two minutes left in the first half of a Big 12 Championship elimination game on Saturday.

An unsuspecting BYU (9-1) hands team watched a squib kick from Parker Lewis redirect off of their legs and the Sun Devils pounced on the ball. Freshman Plas Johnson came out of a dog pile at midfield with the football for the team’s second takeaway of the critical conference matchup.

For a squad that has struggled mightily in the kicking game, Dillingham displayed great trust in the Lewis. The senior nailed all three PATs in the opening half.

“The way (BYU) angled their dude, we said let’s squib it, but we also try to hit him on the way to the squib,” Dillingham explained to reporters after the game. “So, if it hits him, we have a chance to recover it, but if we don’t hit him, we cover the ball around the 30-35-yard line. It was a really low-risk onside kick. It’s like, hey, if it works, wahoo. If it doesn’t work, they get the ball at the 32, 35.”

The proceeding drive looked very similar to the one prior, as Arizona State (8-2) leaned on the smash-mouth running style of Cam Skattebo. The tailback reeled off four carries for 35 yards, capping it off with an explosive 23-yard touchdown run. After breaking through the line of scrimmage, Skattebo saw nothing but green grass on his way to his third score.

The senior running back found the end zone for the 21st time this season, 14 being rushing touchdowns.

Going into the break against the No. 14 Cougars, the Sun Devils were outscoring opponents 73-16 in “the middle eight,” or the last four minutes of the first half and first four of the second half.

The Sun Devils will travel to Tucson for the Territorial Cup against Arizona on Nov. 30 at 1:30 p.m. Watch the TV broadcast on FOX and listen live on 98.7, ArizonaSports.com or the Arizona Sports app.

ASU Football

Arizona State Sun Devils running back Cam Skattebo...

Brandon Cadiz

ASU football’s Cam Skattebo headlines PFF’s top 101 college players

Arizona State's Cam Skattebo was near the top of the list in PFF's top 101 college players from last season. Leavitt and Tyson also crack the list.

19 hours ago

ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham says he wants a covered area to practice in...

Damon Allred

ASU’s Kenny Dillingham eyeing a facility change for better efficiency

Kenny Dillingham on Friday said ASU is in the process of getting a covered area for practice that's connected to the football facility. Players currently shuttle to practice fields on the other side of Rural Road.

2 days ago

Tempe brewery NIL...

Arizona Sports

Tempe brewery signs sponsorship and NIL deal with ASU

Tempe-based Huss Brewing Co. announced it has signed a multifaceted sponsorship deal with Arizona State University, which includes the creation of a Sun Devil specific ale.

5 days ago

ASU's Kenny Dillingham and Sam Leavitt...

Damon Allred

Kenny Dillingham needs ASU hungry for fall 2025, details offensive tweaks

Kenny Dillingham has a tall task in front of him in getting ASU to sustain good football into 2025 and prove its magical 2024 was not an aberration.

5 days ago

Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan #4 of the Arizona Wildcats runs during the second half against the ...

Brandon Cadiz

Mel Kiper Jr: Tetairoa McMillan a top 10 prospect, Cam Skattebo outside top 5 RBs in NFL Draft

Mel Kiper Jr. has Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan as a top-seven prospect and Arizona State's Cam Skattebo top 10 in his running back rankings.

5 days ago

Larry Fitzgerald...

Damon Allred

Larry Fitzgerald praises Kenny Dillingham following ASU offer to son Devin

Larry Fitzgerald threw some credit Kenny Dillingham's way following his son's recent offer to be a Sun Devil.

5 days ago

Arizona State football recovers onside kick late in 1st half, keeps BYU at bay