Kenny Dillingham says he’s giving ASU bye week off after emotional win at Iowa State
Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham made a generous proclamation following the Sun Devils' emotional win against Iowa State on Saturday.
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Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham made a generous proclamation following the Sun Devils’ 24-19 win against Iowa State on Saturday.
During a postgame interview with Arizona Sports, Dillingham said that he is giving his players the week off with a bye coming up next week.
“This has been an emotional season and I’m about to give these guys literally the entire week off,” Dillingham said.
ASU (6-3, 4-2 Big 12) clinched bowl eligibility with the win and stayed alive in the Big 12 title race with two conference losses. The Sun Devils got some help earlier in the day with Houston (7-2, 4-2) losing to West Virginia.
Dillingham said in postgame presser that he had never awarded his team that much time off after a win.
Kenny Dillingham is giving his team the entire bye week off after their win over Iowa State.
“This has been an emotional season physically, mentally. These guys need to get away and come back ready for a three-game stretch where we can accomplish anything we want to accomplish.” pic.twitter.com/KbYO6kIwUW
— Gabriella Chernoff (@GabbyJChernoff) November 1, 2025
Dillingham added that it’s important for his team to get away from the field, and to use the break to prepare themselves for a critical three-game stretch, starting with a home game against West Virginia on November 15.
“I want them to get away and I want them to get a mental break from this season and then come back in a three-game season, one game at a time,” Dillingham said. “They don’t even know it yet. I’m about to meet with the leadership council. Hopefully they don’t listen to local radio when they’re in Ames.”
Dillingham compliments Jeff Sims’ play in ASU win
ASU’s win on Saturday also marked quarterback Jeff Sims’ first win as a starter for the Sun Devils. Despite three turnovers, Sims shined in relief of Sam Leavitt, rushing for 228 yards and two touchdowns while passing for 177 yards and a touchdown.
Dillingham complimented Sims’ performance as well as emotionally praising Sims’ decision to stay at ASU this season.
“Talk about battling. That was the definition of battling,” Dillingham told TNT Sports postgame. “That kid chose to stay here and be apart of this team.”
Kenny Dillingham got choked up talking about Jeff Sims.
You can see how much he means to this team: pic.twitter.com/eIC0LuTrIf
— Blake Niemann (@Blakes_Take2) November 1, 2025
Dillingham went further in his praise of Sims on X, saying he is everything right about college football.
With Leavitt ruled out for the season and star wide receiver Jordyn Tyson out with a hamstring injury, Sims said he was motivated to get the win for his teammates.
“It feels amazing. We go to work everyday and I try to go to work with the guys everyday and just getting the win for them feels good,” Sims told TNT Sports.
“First and foremost, I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for giving me this opportunity. It feels amazing.”
Jeff Sims after his 405 total yards and three touchdown performance in ASU’s gutsy road win over Iowa State. pic.twitter.com/1dqBZxE6M5
— Blake Niemann (@Blakes_Take2) November 1, 2025
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Comments
7 Comments
I'm thinking Dill should give the offensive lineman #58, Max Iheanachor, two weeks off to get his head straight. He has been killing our offense with his blunder penalties.
The Big XII is definitely a head-scratcher of a conference . . . West Virginia beating Houston puts everyone on notice that anyone can beat anyone. After what Arizona did last night to Colorado, I think the Devils beat the Buffs and the Mountaineers, but the T-Cup is going to be a very interesting game. IF someone said: "You have to lose one of the next two to beat Arizona vs win those two, and lose to the Cats.", I'd take it, as no one can/will stomach the T-Cup going back to Tucson. Of course winning out is the way to go.
Was at the game in Ames and I’m very impressed that these guys got it done. They somehow wore ISU down
The defense was phenomenal once again, despite being down Rowser for the 1st half and key guys like Dorbah
Scary moment for that ISU TE- Looked like Damar Hamlin 2.0 when he collapsed, and the whole stadium went dead silent… Fortunately he’s now OK 🙏
We never got the passing game going, but I’ll chalk that up to the sloppy conditions- We ran the ball all over the field though, and Sims played his a*s off, even despite the turnovers… Every ASU fan knows they don’t typically go to rainy, cold & windy places and get the win. They did today!
Now a much-needed bye, and then we’ll get through these last 3 games and see what happens. We’ll have fun with it down the stretch. Go Devils!!