ASU FOOTBALL

Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham critiques himself over play-calling vs. USC

Sep 26, 2023, 11:17 AM

ASU Head Coach Kenny Dillingham, Fresno State at Arizona State September 18, 2023. (Jeremy Schnell/...

ASU Head Coach Kenny Dillingham, Fresno State at Arizona State September 18, 2023. (Jeremy Schnell/Arizona Sports)

(Jeremy Schnell/Arizona Sports)

After getting shut out by Fresno State in Week 3, the Arizona State Sun Devils were desperate to light a spark in their offense ahead of their Week 4 matchup against No. 5 USC.

Given the task at hand, head coach Kenny Dillingham took matters into his own hands.

Taking over for Beau Baldwin as the new play-caller on Saturday, Dillingham implemented an aggressive, yet creative gameplan that kept USC on its heels for most of the game.

The Sun Devils ultimately lost 42-28, but it was the team’s highest point total of the season.

With half of their remaining schedule against ranked opponents, the Sun Devils know they can improve offensively if they want to remain competitive in these games.

“We played a lot better, but there is a difference between playing better and playing good, and you can’t be satisfied with mediocre,” Dillingham told reporters Monday. “Better is nowhere to be confused with good, and we’ve got a long way to go to get to where I feel like the standard of an offense is.”

Dillingham heavily included running back Cam Skattebo into his gameplan, utilizing him in multiple roles and making him USC’s least favorite player on Saturday.

Skattebo rushed for 111 rushing yards on 20 carries and added 79 receiving yards on four catches, scoring two touchdowns. He also completed two passes for 42 yards and punted a ball 53 yards.

The Sun Devils recorded 353 total offensive yards, the second most in a game this season for the team.

Although ASU put up some of its best offensive numbers of the season under Dillingham’s play-calling, the 33-year-old coach may not satisfied with the outcome but is thrilled with the team’s work ethic and growth.

“You should never feel satisfied on a Saturday night if you don’t win the football game. But you can still understand the growth that happened when you wake up in the morning and you understand you got better and closer to where you want to be,” Dillingham said. “There’s no easy way in life if you don’t work, it’s that simple.”

Dillingham acknowledged the emotions that pile on throughout the game, from pondering what he could do better to staying poised.

“I’m always going to be my biggest critic. Whenever I’m watching a game, I’m looking for ways I can improve and be better,” Dillingham said. “Could I have maybe put our guys in a better position … could I have sequenced a three-play set better on a 2nd-and-11… all those scenarios I look at how can I be better.

“Taking the emotion out of it at times when we have those big moments that maybe don’t go our way and staying poised. It’s something I’ve got to improve on.”

Arizona State will hit the road for the first time this season when it takes on the California Golden Bears (2-2) on Saturday.

ASU Football

Arizona State...

David Veenstra

Arizona State Sun Devils football signing day tracker

Arizona State football announced three-star running back Grayson Rigdon (Texas) committed on Tuesday. 

23 hours ago

Israel Briggs has committed to the ASU Sun Devils...

Tyler Drake

ASU lands commitment from 4-star recruit Israel Briggs for 2026

Four-star recruit Israel Briggs has committed to play for the ASU Sun Devils as part of the defending Big 12 champion's 2026 class.

1 day ago

The Arizona State Sun Devils will don traditional Sparky helmets against BYU....

Brandon Cadiz

Big 12 releases Arizona State football’s 2025 schedule

The Big 12 released Arizona State football's 2025 conference schedule on Tuesday, which begins Sept. 20 at Baylor.

2 days ago

Arizona State...

Alex Weiner

Report: Arizona State-Iowa State football rematch date revealed

Arizona State will visit Iowa State this year after meeting in the Big 12 championship, and Pete Thamel reported the game will be played on Nov. 1. 

3 days ago

Hayden Vercher is the newest ASU football commit...

Damon Allred

2026 tight end Hayden Vercher picks ASU football over Arizona, others

ASU picked up its fifth football commitment in the 2026 class on Sunday by adding 6-foot-4 tight end Hayden Vercher.

4 days ago

Kenny Dillingham of the Arizona State Sun Devils at Rose Bowl Stadium on November 11, 2023 in Pasad...

Brandon Cadiz

CBS Sports gives Kenny Dillingham ‘A’ grade for second season

CBS Sports' Tom Fornelli graded second-year head coaches in college football and gave ASU's Kenny Dillingham an A.

4 days ago

Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham critiques himself over play-calling vs. USC