Former Oregon OC Kenny Dillingham takes over at ASU. What’s in store for Year 1?
The Ducks rolled under Kenny Dillingham to the tune of 6,507 yards of total offense and 66 TDs. Now, the ASU alum brings his scheme to Tempe as the Sun Devils prepare for their last season in the PAC-12.
Dillingham starts with talented quarterbacks. Trenton Bourget passed for 1,490 yards and 11 TDs last season in a backup role to Emory Jones, who’s now with the Cincinnati Bearcats. ASU also grabbed a star, Drew Pyne, who called signals at Notre Dame last season (2,021 yards passing, 22 TDs, and a Gator Bowl win vs. South Carolina).
Another transfer, DeCarlos Brooks (250 yards, one TD at Cal), will shore up the running game. He’s a welcome addition because Xazavian Valladay, last year’s leading rusher, has graduated, and Daniel Ngata, a sophomore, is in the transfer portal.
The receiving corps looks strong, featuring WR Elijah Badger (866 yards, 70 receptions, seven touchdowns), TE Jalin Conyers (422 yards, five touchdowns), and WR Giovanni Sanders (500 yards, one TD).
The Sun Devils kick off the year at home against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds of the United Athletic Conference, a new FCS conference uniting the Atlantic Sun and Western Athletic conferences. Kick time is 10p., Thursday, August 31.
The ESPN Football Power Index has ASU winning that one and four more in 2023, going 5-7 on the season, 10th among PAC-12 competitors.
