Sun Devils consistent on path to first bowl under Dillingham

(Photo: Spencer Barnes/WCSN)

TEMPE — Arizona State football is going bowling. One year after serving a bowl ban and winning just three games, head coach Kenny Dillingham has taken the Sun Devils from rock bottom to a team with not only potential but also expectations going forward.

At the end of last season, that future seemed as far away as when Dillingham took the job in November of 2022. Sure, the youngest head coach in power conference football clearly had the ability to connect with his players and motivate them, but the roster still didn’t look immensely talented.

The one big difference from last year to this year?

Consistency.

The Sun Devils have improved in a lot of areas this season, but one of the largest contributors to their success is their health. In Dillingham’s first season last year, he had to shuffle through 14 different offensive lineman. As a result, the group was never able to mesh together, and the team struggled.

In a vicious cycle, the mounting injuries up front led to multiple injuries at the game’s most important position. Dillingham shuffled through four different quarterbacks as well as multiple gimmick solutions such as then junior running back Cam Skattbeo and then junior tight end Jalin Conyers taking direct snaps.

ASU brought in a new quarterback in redshirt freshman Sam Leavitt, but the offensive line largely returned a lot of the same faces as last year. This year ASU has, so far, dodged the worst of the injury bug, resulting in an offensive line that is playing some of its best football.

“When you have the same people blocking, same call, same voices, same smells, it’s just comfortable,” offensive line coach Saga Tuitele said.

Leavitt hasn’t totally dodged the injury bug. A rib injury kept him out of ASU’s loss against Cincinnati, but after healing over the bye week, Leavitt got his first Big 12 road win, playing arguably his best game. The Oregon native completed 20 of his 29 passes and threw for 304 yards and three touchdowns, crossing 300 passing yards for the first time in his career.

The performance proved that he is able to shake off an injury and keep playing to a high standard, checking off another box for the freshman. As each week progresses, it seems as if Leavitt just gets more and more comfortable in Dillingham and offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo’s system, proving himself to be THE quarterback for this regime.

“Sam works as hard as anybody I’ve ever had at that position,” Dillingham said. “His care level is really high, and I think Coach Arroyo has done a phenomenal job with him.”

Last season was a vicious cycle that ASU couldn’t escape, now ASU is participating in a different cycle. The healthy offensive line has allowed the Sun Devils to be more consistent, and alongside a historic season from Skattebo, the ASU running game has flourished, resulting in one of the best situations you can have for a quarterback.

Leavitt is taking advantage of that situation, creating trust with his big boys up front and forming bonds as one of the team’s leaders. The offensive line fuels Leavitt, and Leavitt returns the favor.

“We know where Sam’s gonna be, we know where he’s not gonna be. We know his tendencies and what the feeling is gonna be,” Tuitele said. “Just being out there as a group, it’s nice having that, and I know Sam feels good about having those same guys, the same eyes looking at him and communicating … When we’re not sure what to do. We look at Sam.”

That is the other part of Leavitt’s game that has become clear as the season goes on. Not only is he a first-year starter that seems to be improving every game, he has also grown as a leader during his time on the Pat Tillman Leadership Council, which he was voted to 100% by his peers earlier this season.

During his Monday press conference, Dillingham was asked if he learned anything from UCF” s head coach Gus Malzahn during his time as Malzahn’s quarterback’s coach and offensive coordinator at Auburn. His immediate answer?

“The number one (thing) is the Leadership Council,” he said.

With Leavitt leading the charge on the Council, ASU now knows that their quarterback is just as good of a leader as he is a quarterback. With up to three years left of eligibility, Leavitt, if he wants to stay, can lead this team for years to come.

He has already established the trust of his team. He has already exceeded expectations with his play. But as we have established, a lot can change from one year to the next. The only question left to answer for Leavitt is whether he shows consistency from year to year.

“You watch the tape, and we are a completely different team and program,” Leavitt said. “It’s a testament to the staff, the players, and everybody who bought into this program. We’re just making strides every single day.”