Mikey Keene comes out firing in first ASU start, completes 51-yard pass on first play

TEMPE — Arizona State hoped quarterback Mikey Keene could provide a spark to its offense, and while it was later minimized by an injury, a spark was exactly what it got on the first play of his first start.

Keene, who has been known more for how he attacks defenses on shorter routes in dink-and-dunk systems, hit star wide receiver Reed Harris in stride for a 51-yard gain on ASU’s first offensive play.

heck of a way for the mikey keene era to begin and heck of a way to give your offense a major spark early.

51 yards to reed harris in stride on the first offensive play, and cardae mack punches in a nine-yard touchdown three plays later.

7-7 with 8:38 left in the first. pic.twitter.com/IUUdwjMmK5

— Damon Allred (@iamdamonallred) October 24, 2026

The ball went to Cardae Mack on two of the next three plays after the big completion, including a nine-yard touchdown run to ensure points came from the highlight pass. Harris caught his second pass of the day on the other.

Keene continued to look Harris’ way, as the pair connected two drives later on a 39-yard gain to convert a third-and-10 and get deep into the red zone. The Sun Devils again turned to Mack, who scored his second wildcat touchdown of the year.

However, the spark he provided was watered down by an injury he suffered late in the first half while a defender rolled into his legs.

Cutter Boley, who Keene replaced at halftime of the previous game, was under center for the final few plays of the half. He remained out there to start the second half.

Keene threw for 256 yards and two touchdowns on 74% passing in the second half to outdo Boley’s 124 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions (one that was returned for a touchdown) on 50% passing in the first.

ASU’s early touchdown knotted the score up after Kansas State scored on its first drive. The Wildcats had their own first-time starter, as Jacob Knuth filled in for the injured Avery Johnson.

Follow along with the rest of the game on Arizona Sports 98.7 or the app.

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