ASU football: Three takeaways from season opening victory over Wyoming

TEMPE, Ariz. – ASU football began its second season in the Kenny Dillingham era Saturday night with a bang. With a lot of changes this offseason, many were optimistic heading into 2024, but no one expected the Sun Devils to boat-race the Cowboys 48-7.

ASU led from start to finish and had about as good a night as it could have hoped for. Redshirt freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt looked calm and comfortable running the offense. The offensive and defensive line controlled the line of scrimmage, and the defense created havoc all night long for the Cowboys.

The first score of the night came on the second play from scrimmage. Redshirt junior linebacker Zyrus Fiaseu picked off Wyoming’s junior quarterback Evan Svoboda and took it 29 yards to the house. Then ASU’s offense scored on each of its first four drives to open a 27-0 lead heading into halftime.

The Sun Devils added three more touchdowns in the third quarter to lead 48-0. The defense kept the Cowboys quiet all night until they snuck a touchdown in during the final 10 seconds of the game.

Shutout or not, ASU’s defense was stellar and the offense looked in rhythm. Sun Devil fans have plenty to look forward to this season. Here are three takeaways from ASU’s season opener.

Three takeaways from ASU football season opening drumming of Wyoming

1. QB Sam Leavitt looked very comfortable for ASU football

Leavitt transferred from Michigan State to ASU this offseason and battled for the starting role. His work ethic and passion for the game won him the job, which all paid off Saturday night.

“The kid (Leavitt) cares, and he’s passionate. He’s talented, and if you have a care level, you’re passionate, you’re talented and you’re smart,” head coach Kenny Dillingham said after the game. “That’s why I have so much belief in what he is, but what he’s going to become over the next four years.”

The young quarterback played about as well as he could have hoped for in his ASU debut. Leavitt completed 14 of his 22 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns. He had a 192.1 passer rating and added 47 yards on the ground. Many of those came from evading pressure and scrambling for a first down.

“He got caught once, and to get caught once in a football game as a true freshman, like kudos to him,” Dillingham said. “Really good job by him. He’s savvy, but he puts in the work. So, you know, it’s funny that the people that put in the work usually make the right decisions. It’s funny how that works. That work works.”

Leavitt was able to stay calm and read the defense all night making the correct checks at the line of scrimmage and the right decisions post snap. In his eight possessions Saturday night, he led six scoring drives and was forced to punt just once.

Although it was just one game, Leavitt looked in control and capable of leading the Sun Devils offense to some impressive numbers this season.

2. The defense was outstanding

ASU’s defense was a rock-solid wall all night long. Wyoming could not get anything going and did not end a drive in ASU territory until its final drive of the game.

The Sun Devils defense set the tone early with a pick-six on the second play from scrimmage. On the Cowboys’ second possession, they moved into ASU territory for one of two times all night. On a third and 23, junior linebacker Keyshaun Elliott grabbed ASU’s second interception of the night.

Forcing turnovers

“I think it’s, you know, part of the standard we hold ourselves to as a defense. We cheer for any takeaway that we get, whether it’s, you know, versus the scout team or versus the one (starting) offense,” Elliott said. “I think… if you get three turnovers, it’s a crazy percentage of winning. So, we’re always saying take three.”

In the second half, ASU scored its second defensive touchdown. Redshirt junior defensive end Justin Wodtly recovered a fumble off a backward pass and ran it six yards for a touchdown. That fumble recovery was the Sun Devils’ third forced turnover. ASU hadn’t forced three turnovers until week seven last year against Washington when it created four that game.

“We start our team meetings and the only two things I show are effort plays and takeaways. It’s just to get in their mind that if you play really hard and you win the turnover battle, all of these schemes that you’re about to go do are awesome, but they’re obsolete,” Dillingham explained. “It’s game-changing when you turn the ball over at that rate. I mean, we had two defensive touchdowns tonight.”

In addition to the turnover, the Sun Devils’ defense was simply suffocating all night. The Cowboys totaled just 118 yards, with 74 coming on their final drive. ASU’s defense forced five three-and-outs, three turnovers, three sacks, and five tackles for loss. The Sun Devils held a shutout for all but the final two seconds of the game.

“We don’t play scared. We play as aggressively as possible. And I think that’s what our guys believe in… we’re going to attack and attack and attack on defense,” Dillingham said. “Tonight we swarmed the football and you can see the effort.”

ASU’s defense looked poised to compete and battle in the Big 12 this season Saturday night. If the Sun Devils’ offense can put drives together and keep this ferocious defense fresh, ASU could be a dangerous team in the Big 12.

3. The crowd-powered the Sun Devils

Dillingham has emphasized activating the valley since he took over at ASU. Since then, we’ve seen some of the largest student sections in history to support ASU football.

That didn’t change Saturday night. The Sun Devils saw their second-largest student section in school history under the lights Saturday.

“It was pretty dope. I didn’t think it was going to be that loud running out, so I was super excited about that,” Leavitt said. “We got a chance to see what we could really make this, and you know, hopefully, more people start showing up, and we get this thing really rocking.”

Leavitt wasn’t the only Sun Devil to thank the crowd following the game.

“I don’t think they realize how much of an impact they have for the defense and offense as well,” Elliott said. “It’s always nice to see the stadium packed.”

ASU gave the fans plenty to cheer for all night, especially early on. The Sun Devils jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back.

With its transition to the Big 12, the Sun Devils will need the fans in full force to create as much of a home-field advantage as possible. With next week’s matchup against SEC opponent Mississippi State, head coach Kenny Dillingham challenged the fans.

“The student section tonight was absolutely incredible. We have to figure out how to keep them in the second half, you know there’s so many distractions around this place that we have to figure out a way to keep them in the seats, but unbelievable turnout,” Dillingham said. “We’ve never won an SEC game in Arizona State history. So we need a sold-out crowd with the biggest student section that there’s ever been. We need it loud for four quarters all night long next Saturday.”

Looking ahead for ASU football

Saturday night was the best start to the season ASU could have asked for. Next week provides a new challenge. But if you can take anything away from Dillingham’s Sun Devils, it’s that they’ll play their hearts out and fight for every chance they get to make another statement next Saturday.

ASU kicks off against Mississippi State on Saturday, September 7, at 7:30 p.m. AZT on ESPN.

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