ASU FOOTBALL

ASU football expects a revamped downhill attack from Wyoming

Aug 30, 2024, 12:07 PM

YouTube video

TEMPE — Wyoming has a new head coach this season, but Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham expects that the Cowboys won’t look too different from the Mountain West power it has become the last decade.

Former head coach Craig Bohl retired after his 10th season on the job. Defensive coordinator Jay Sawvel was promoted to replace Bohl, while Sawvel’s old job was filled by Bohl’s son, Aaron. The program still has that Bohl DNA.

“You kind of have a beat for how they want to operate. At the same token, they were really good on defense but everybody changes and adds wrinkles,” Dillingham said.

ASU’s coaches expect new Wyoming offensive coordinator Jay Johnson will run more of a spread attack than Wyoming is used to under Bohl. Johnson served as Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt’s freshman-year offensive coordinator at Michigan State last season.

“It’s a little trickier (to scout offensively) because you’re adding a guy who’s been a coordinator before from a different scheme,” Dillingham said. “A guy who was way more uptempo, a guy who runs more 11 personnel more open sets, RPOs and that was completely different from what they were in the past.”

ASU football still expects a direct run attack from the team that last year knocked off Texas Tech and went into the fourth quarter tied with Texas in non-conference contests.

“They’re very well coached,” cornerback Keith Abney II said. “We just gotta come out here and play to our technique and to our coaching.”

Green dots to make their ASU football debuts

Arizona State coordinators Marcus Arroyo and Brian Ward will both be above the field in the box during games this season, Dillingham said.

It might not be the case if not for the NCAA adopting the “green dot” players who have in-helmet communication with coaches on the sideline. Leavitt will wear one as the quarterback while linebacker Keyshaun Elliott, who led New Mexico State in tackles a year ago, gets the honor on defense.

Leavitt called it “an advantage on both sides,” saying it helps him prepare for a potential NFL future.

Arroyo said the team has implemented walkie-talkies in practice and mocked box-to-field communications to get Leavitt used to the coordinator being in his ear.

“The first day was a mess in my head mentally, but I got used to talking while also thinking what am I doing but also telling people what they’re doing,” Elliott said. “I enjoy it, I like telling other people what to do. I like giving alerts and making sure that we’re all on the same page.”

Wyoming QB and Mesa native Evan Svoboda garners Josh Allen comparison

Evan Svoboda could be the next in line of big, dual-threat quarterbacks who thrive at Wyoming, but he was just a two-star prospect when he graduated from Mesa Red Mountain High in 2021, according to 247 Sports.

In limited action last year with the Cowboys, he threw for 200 yards with 80 rushing yards after he took the junior college route and arrived at Wyoming via Snow College in Utah.

“We don’t have much film on him, but again, he has played some. He’s a big, strong kid,” Ward said. “We’re really expecting a more downhill run game and downhill quarterback run game.”

Listed at 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds, you can see why Svoboda’s frame mixed with the scouting report would amount to a quarterback the Denver Post compared to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who wore No. 17 at Wyoming years before Svoboda did.

“If Evan Svoboda plays the way we hope that he can and that his potential could allow, we could become extremely good,” Sawvel told reporters.

When does Arizona State face Wyoming and how can I watch?

Catch Arizona State’s opener vs. Wyoming on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. MST on FS1, the Arizona Sports app, ESPN 620 AM and 98.7 HD-2.

ASU Football

ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham celebrates with players after winning the Big 12 Championship...

Kevin Zimmerman

ASU ends 2024 highly ranked in AP poll and with expectations set for next year

The final top 25 poll from The Associated Press ranks the Arizona State Sun Devils No. 7. ASU football won the Big 12 championship in 2024.

10 hours ago

ASU outside top 10 on way-too-early top 25s...

Damon Allred

Where is ASU football landing on way-too-early top 25 lists for 2025?

Early top 25 lists for 2025 have started to release with ASU and the Big 12 receiving the same disrespect sent their way in 2024.

1 day ago

Ohio State coach Ryan Day and Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman...

Associated Press

Ohio State, Notre Dame used humbling losses as springboards to College Football Playoff final

Ohio State and Notre Dame are set to square off in the CFP final despite losses that may have disqualified them in past formats.

1 day ago

College Football Playoff tweaks will not be made until later, its leaders determined...

Associated Press

Any College Football Playoff tweaks for 2025 won’t be hashed out until later this year

After a meeting on Sunday, College Football Playoff leaders said any adjustments to the format for next season would have to take place later this year.

2 days ago

Former ASU quarterback Jayden Daniels threw for two touchdowns as the Commanders stunned the Detroi...

Associated Press

Former ASU QB Jayden Daniels, Commanders stun top-seeded Lions to reach NFC title game

Former ASU quarterback Jayden Daniels threw for two touchdowns as the Commanders stunned the Detroit Lions to reach the NFC championship game.

3 days ago

Arizona State, Kenny DIllingham...

Kevin Zimmerman

Kenny Dillingham’s ASU contract extension and salary amendment details revealed

Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham's salary will increase from $4.1 million to $5.8 million as part of his approved contract extension.

5 days ago

ASU football expects a revamped downhill attack from Wyoming