16 days until Arizona State football kicks off: Relive “TB16” debut

TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona State football begins its 2023-2024 campaign in 16 days. In honor of that, let’s revisit Trenton Bourguet, also known as TB16 amongst ASU fans, and his 2023 debut. The senior quarterback came to Tempe as a walk-on. He came from enemy territory in Tuscon, determined to make a name for himself. In his junior season, that’s precisely what he did.

TB16 shines against a ranked team

In Bourguet’s first two seasons as a Sun Devil, he had compiled 12 total pass attempts. In his 2022 debut against No. 21 Washington he threw 21 passes, completing 15 of them.

TB16 only got his opportunity against Washington after starting QB Emory Jones left the game with a concussion in the second quarter. Bourguet stepped up and delivered.

On second down with six yards to go in a near-empty Sun Devil Stadium, Bourguet completed a 10-yard pass to Elijhah Badger for a first down. His first completed pass of the season, and it certainly wouldn’t be his last.

The calm, cool, and collective junior continued to make throw after throw. His precision mixed with help from the run game thanks to Daniyel Ngata allowed ASU to march down the field. The last seven plays of the drive were all passes and TB16 completed five of them.

Finally, Bourguet completed a 14-yard touchdown pass to running back Xazavian Valladay. With 3:47 left in the second quarter, the limited amount of students and fans that were in attendance over ASU’s fall break stood and cheered. They realized Arizona State might have something in the former walk-on quarterback from Tuscon.

Bourguet beats Washington

Bourguet would finish his 2022 debut against Washington with extremely impressive numbers. He went 15/21 through the air and had three touchdowns. He also gathered 182 yards. It wasn’t a perfect performance, as he did throw an interception, but it was exactly what Arizona State needed. TB16’s QBR from the game was 93.0. Pretty good to say the least.

Arizona State’s defense struggled to keep Michael Penix and Washington’s explosive offense in check, but they did what was needed. The Sun Devils stormed the field after their 45-38 victory. It was interim head coach Shaun Aguano’s first win.

The sweat stains on Arizona State’s new tan jerseys showed the Sun Devil’s relentless effort in the first-day game at Sun Devil Stadium of the year. A magical afternoon of football put together by Trenton Bourguet and Arizona State. The TB16 legacy was born.

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