What’s the one area Kenny Dillingham wants ASU’s defense to improve in?

Kenny Dillingham said Arizona State’s defense has played “good, clean football on defense” in most areas early in 2026. But there’s one key statistic the head coach wants to see the Sun Devils improve in: Turnovers.

“Where I’d like to see us improve is just continuing to attack the football. We’ve played two games. We have one takeaway,” Dillingham told Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta on Thursday. “We gotta get a higher takeaway margin.”

While 48 points allowed against Texas A&M last week stands out, it wasn’t the defense’s wrongdoings that allowed the game to get out of hand. ASU’s defense has allowed 443 total yards through two games — less than half of the Sun Devils’ offensive team total (1,050 yards). ASU has four sacks, seven tackles for loss and held the Aggies to 2.6 yards per rush attempt.

However, the Sun Devils have forced just one turnover and have a minus-2 turnover margin early on.

“We’re playing good, clean football on defense. We’re stopping the run well, but we’re not creating any takeaways,” Dillingham said. “That’s the one area where I think we can improve, and if we improve that category and are stopping the run and limiting the explosives, like we have, we can be one of the best defenses in the country.”

During Dillingham’s first three years at ASU, the Sun Devils have had a negative turnover margin twice. The lone positive margin was ASU’s 2024 College Football Playoff run.

Dillingham’s squad ranked No. 6 in the country with a plus-14 turnover ratio during its magical season, when it forced an astounding 23 takeaways.

Last year, the Sun Devils forced 15 turnovers but gave the ball away 21 times. ASU had just one takeaway through two games in 2025, similar to this season.

Saturday’s matchup with Kansas in London presents a prime spot to get the turnover train rolling. Jayhawks quarterback Isaiah Marshall has four turnover-worthy plays so far this season, which is the second-most in the Big 12, and he has the second-worst adjusted completion percentage in the conference (58.3%).

Kenny Dillingham letting players explore London

The Sun Devils’ head coach has stated numerous times that his team’s trip to London isn’t the most advantageous for trying to win a football game, but that it provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for his players and helps to grow the university’s brand and awareness.

Dillingham wanted to make sure his players could take advantage of the opportunity and explore the international destination without getting into any trouble. So, he had one rule.

“Groups of four. That’s our system right now. We just hope that four people together don’t want to make a bad decision. We need a 25% smart rate,” Dillingham said. “We have let them go out and experience London. Like I told them, ‘We’re not babysitters. We trust you. Go out, be a good person and make good decisions when you’re going to do what you’re doing.’

“I think for the most part, they’ve done that.”

ASU and Kansas will kick off at 9 a.m. MST, which is 5 p.m. local London time, as the Sun Devils search to bounce back heading into their lone bye week of the season.

ASU-Kansas can be listened to on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app.

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