TEMPE– It was a quarterback carousel at Mountain America Stadium on Saturday, as three different quarterbacks got playing time for Arizona State (4-3 overall, 2-2 Big 12) in a 28-17 win over the Kansas State Wildcats (4-3, 1-3). 

A win, but work to do

“I’m worried about our football team and getting better,” ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham said. “We played better today with more energy, but we can still keep getting better.” 

Sixth-year quarterback Mikey Keene made his first start at Mountain America Stadium since Nov. 30, 2024, when he started for Fresno State. The Wildcats featured a new look on offense as senior quarterback Jacob Knuth made his first career start, after senior quarterback Avery Johnson was ruled out due to injury.

The first quarter was fast paced, as both teams scored on their opening drives to tie the game at 7. Keene opened the game with a 51-yard pass to senior wide receiver Reed Harris downfield.

Harris has emerged as a breakout star throughout the season for the Sun Devils, and that continued in their matchup against KSU with 116 receiving yards in the first quarter. From deep receptions to short gains, Harris delivered a standout performance at Mountain America Stadium.

Harris finished the day with 147 receiving yards. 

Arizona State opened the second quarter with possession, and freshman running back Cardae Mack rushed for his second touchdown of the game.

“I followed the game plan. My O-line executed the game plan,” Mack said.

Keene goes down with an injury

Late in the second quarter, Keene was helped off the field after suffering what seemed to be a lower leg injury. A familiar face returned to the field, junior quarterback Cutter Boley.

Arizona State took a 14-10 lead into halftime after Kansas State junior kicker Luis Rodriguez made a 22-yard field goal.

Boley struggled to move the offense downfield, and the opening drive ended in a punt.

“My players are first, I protect my players. It’s me and my team vs everyone else against us,” said Dillingham. 

The Wildcats reached the end zone for the second time when Knuth scored on a 10-yard touchdown run, giving Kansas State a 17-14 lead, its first since the opening drive.

After Boley struggled to move the offense, freshman quarterback Jake Fette made his second career appearance, leading the Sun Devils downfield in search of a score as the game entered the fourth quarter.

“Jake, he’s got the confidence, the swagger, everything,” Dillingham said. “You need to be careful with freshman quarterbacks and protecting them, but we knew he’s what we needed to win the game.” 

Mack opened the fourth quarter with his third rushing touchdown of the game, accounting for all three of Arizona State’s touchdowns thus far. The score gave the Sun Devils a 21-17 lead over Kansas State.

“Stud, he shows up everyday ready to work with great energy,” Dillingham said. “We are playing some freshmen who are playing good football right now.” 

Just as the fourth quarter was about to close. Once again for the fourth time, Mack found the end zone to increase the lead 28-17 against Kansas State. 

With crazy defense, and changes of quarterback three times, the maroon and gold managed to come out on top for the win at home. 

Looking ahead

Dillingham said, “The goal is to get better, and I think we did get better. That’s the goal of football is to get better.”

ASU will now travel north to play BYU, who will fall from their No. 2 ranking following their 39-31 overtime loss against UCF.