Caleb McCullough spearheads monstrous defensive effort in Arizona State win over Utah

TEMPE — Caleb McCullough had the game of his life in Arizona State’s 27-19 win over No. 16 Utah on Friday at Mountain America Stadium, leading an outstanding defensive effort in an upset win.

ASU (5-1, 2-1 in Big 12) benefitted from his 12 tackles and two interceptions, including one as Utah (4-2, 1-2) made its final push for a comeback.

“It meant a lot for me just to know that we got the win. I’m doing whatever I can to win,” McCullough said of his game-sealing interception. “I’m not really a stat player. … This is my last year of college, and my main goal is just to win.”

The linebacker is one of just a few Sun Devils who remain from before the Kenny Dillingham takeover, and his fortitude in sticking through and waiting his turn paid off on Friday.

“I put in a lot of work to get to this position and I just tell my family and everything that one day I’m gonna get my opportunity,” McCullough said. “When you do get that opportunity the work is gonna show, and tonight it showed.”

The added opportunity came as green dot linebacker Keyshaun Elliott sat the first half following the prior week’s targeting penalty. But even as Elliott returned to the field for the second half, McCullough stayed on the field because of his production.

“Caleb’s one of my favorite kids on the team ’cause he just does everything you ask,” Dillingham said. “He’s bigger than he’s ever been, he’s faster than he’s ever been and he’s playing better football than he’s played.”

“That’s a guy who was here through all the mess. He was here when all the bad things were happening,” Dillingham added.

The head coach said after each of the last 3-9 seasons he pleaded with McCullough to stick it out and added the linebacker earned a game ball for his contributions.

Where else did the Arizona State defense shine vs. Utah?

The Arizona State defense showed a great deal of poise when its back was against the wall for the second straight week, holding Utah without points off turnovers just like they did to Kansas a week prior.

Dillingham praised the group for how it held up in its own territory, stopping multiple Utah drives in their tracks and holding the Utes to four field goals and one touchdown.

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham talked in the week leading up to the game about red zone efficiency being a point of emphasis during their bye week, but it was the Sun Devil defense coming up big there.

While past ASU defenses have been predicated on bend-don’t-break with mixed results, this was a performance that looked the part.