Video by Eliav Gabay
Article by Jordan Hamm
While the scoreboard showed a 38-19 final score in the Sun Devils’ season debut against NAU, the general mood of the team coming off the field was muted.
For a 19-point win, the new standard set by last year’s Sun Devil squad meant the little things were magnified. Arizona State wouldn’t sneak up on anyone this year. If they wanted to repeat as Big 12 champions, cleaning up penalties and shaking off rust would be crucial.
Kenny Dillingham said, “It’s always good to win ugly.”
Saturday’s game had some good and some ugly for those wearing maroon and gold. Week 1 could either be a wake-up call for the team or the signs of regression from last year’s 2024 miraculous season.
The Devils got off to a hot start with two quality drives on offense resulting in a Raleek Brown rushing touchdown and a connection between Sam Leavitt and Jordyn Tyson for another score.
But the next five drives of the first half resulted in three three-and-outs, a made field goal and a missed 57-yard field goal right before halftime. They would head to the locker room leading 17-6.
Leavitt broke open the scoring in the second half with a 52-yard rushing touchdown, and it felt like the offense started to get in sync.
Arizona State followed the next drive by moving the ball, and moving it well, but didn’t have anything to show for it. Leavitt hit Brown on a swing pass, and the running back proceeded to take it 75 yards for a score. But a holding penalty brought that back.
The following play, Malik McClain hauled in a 20-yard pickup, only for there to be an ineligible receiver downfield.
Then came a delay of game and a stalled drive.
In total, ASU had 12 penalties for 93 yards, but Dillingham believes those marks against the Devils had a much, much bigger impact.
“We can’t have 12 penalties for 93 yards that cost us probably an additional 170 yards,” Dillingham said. “You look at it all, the penalties…this entire (stat sheet) is 200 yards different right now. We got to get that cleaned up. That starts with me. I’m the end-all, be-all when it comes to stuff like that.”
Wipe out one or two of these penalties – even not the home run play by Raleek Brown – and there’s a bit more flow to the offense. It probably results in more points. At the very least, more sustained drives come through, and the conversation shifts from near-misses to an even more dynamic offensive performance.
Having to go into SEC country next week won’t be nearly as forgiving.
While the penalties greatly impacted the outcome of this game, here are some instant reactions of varying heat after one game:
Leavitt to Sam
There’s been a lot of conversation about how this team will fare without Cam Skattebo. Going into the year, I had less questions about how the on-field production would be affected. The team is deeper, and offensive minds like Dillingham and offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo have had all offseason to scheme up mismatches across the board.
I had more questions about who would be that player to dig the offense out of a hole when its sputtering. We saw that time and again where when it mattered most, Skat could come up big.
Turns out, it was Sam Leavitt on Saturday.
His 52-yard touchdown sparked the offense for the rest of the second half. While penalties derailed that some, the process showed the Devils were able to move the ball consistently despite a quiet second quarter.
Ground Attack Standouts
If healthy and given consistent reps, this running back room can be the best in the Big 12 and one of the best in the country. Raleek Brown has been as advertised as that home run hitter. Kyson Brown quietly had 145 total yards on the night and only trailed Jordyn Tyson for the most receptions on the team. Kanye Udoh had one carry for six yards and two receptions for 19 yards, but we’ve seen his comfort expand throughout fall camp. He brings a physical presence and can break off a long run if given space.Pair this group with Leavitt, who had two rushing scores paired with two passing touchdowns, and this is a very potent ground attack.
Kanyon Floyd’s Impact
I think people often forgot last year that Kanyon Floyd was a true freshman and the team’s punter. He was rated as one of the best punters in the country coming out of Horizon High School, and had a solid campaign in 2024.But he was handling a lot of responsibility while still learning the college game.
On Saturday, averaged 48.5 yards per punt and had two go 50+ yards. There was a few times Arizona State was backed up in their own territory, and Floyd flipped the field.
Whether it was a natural maturation or the competition with Matt McKenzie lit a fire under Floyd (or both), the sophomore punter positively affected the game.
Pass Rush First Impressions
The ASU run defense was strong with eight tackles for loss and 89 total rushing yards for NAU. Brian Ward got creative, and the Sun Devils generated three sacks with linebacker Jordan Crook, cornerback Keith Abney and defensive lineman Elijah O’Neal grabbing one.
The Sun Devils generated only 21 sacks last year, and it’s been a focus of the defensive line to up that number in 2025. It’s an experienced group that has played a full season together already, and many of the players have adjusted their frames to get to the passer more effectively.
Spreading the Wealth
Keep an eye out on who emerges as pass-catcher 2 for Leavitt as the season progresses. Jordyn Tyson hauled in 12 passes. The rest of the wide receivers and tight ends? Three catches.
Kyson and Raleek Brown had plenty of looks in the pass game on Saturday, but it’s a deeper and more dynamic receiver and tight end group in fall camp.
It’s only one game, but a hyper competitive group was quiet in the debut. Things really open up in this offense as more reliable in-game targets emerge.
Arizona State now heads to Mississippi State next Saturday, and Sports360AZ will be on the road with the Devils to take it all in.
The post Sun Devils “Win Ugly” Against NAU, Prep Begins for Mississippi St. first appeared on Sports360AZ.
