A woman has died after being struck by windblown debris following the REDWEST Country Music Festival in Salt Lake City, Utah. On Saturday, Oct. 11, Ava Ahlander, 23, went to her car near 1055 W. North …
A woman has died after being struck by windblown debris following the REDWEST Country Music Festival in Salt Lake City, Utah. On Saturday, Oct. 11, Ava Ahlander, 23, went to her car near 1055 W. North …
CHICAGO – Despite a solid effort defensively and a 23-14 shot advantage, the Utah Mammoth came up short and fell 3-1 to the Chicago Blackhawks. JJ Peterka’s third period goal was the only time Utah …
Despite Utah’s strong play, Chicago scored the game’s opening goal halfway through the second period. Ilya Mikheyev stuffed the puck past Vítek Vaněček and gave the home team a 1-0 lead.
The Mammoth responded and tied the game 62 seconds into the third period when JJ Peterka scored his first goal as a Mammoth. This goal showed the Cooley line’s quick passing and connectedness. After Peterka saw two Blackhawks players closing in, the forward quickly passed to Guenther. Although Guenther’s shot was stopped, the rebound kicked out to Peterka who capitalized. The offseason acquisition recorded his second point in as many games and tied the game, 1-1.
“Just pressure, I think that was the key,” Peterka shared about his goal. “To get chances of the forecheck and kind of sit on them and that’s also how the goal went in. Just forechecking and getting bodies to the net.”
“They played well, they did a good job to utilize their speed,” Tourigny explained about the effort around Peterka’s goal. “I think it’s a little bit a reflection of our game. As soon as they start forechecking, they’re fast, and they have good stick, they have good legs. If they forecheck the way they did in the second, they will separate themselves.”
Chicago’s go-ahead goal was nine minutes into the final frame. Andre Burakovsky was all alone in front and beat Utah netminder Vítek Vaněček. His power play goal gave the Blackhawks a 2-1 lead in the third period. With 5.1 seconds remaining in the game, Mikheyev scored his second of the night and the empty net goal secured a 3-1 win for Chicago.
Additional Notes from Tonight:
In his first game back from a training camp injury, Hayton made his presence known. Hayton centered the top line with Captain Clayton Keller and forward Nick Schmaltz on the wings. Hayton played 15:58, had two shots on goal, and won 54.5% of his faceoffs.
“It was great to get back out there,” Hayton said following his first game back. “This is what I love to do and being out there, competing with the guys.”
Free agency signing Vítek Vaněček played his first regular season game for the Mammoth. He made some key saves in the first period to keep Chicago off the board, and Vaněček stopped 11 of the 13 shots he faced.
“He did a good job,” Tourigny said of Vaněček. “He kept us there in the first when we had a few breakdowns and he did what he had to do. It was not an easy game, didn’t give a lot of shots, it was not easy for him, but I think he’s a veteran, he stayed with it.”
The Mammoth changed things up with two of their d-pairings in the second and third periods. Dmitri Simashev and fellow countryman Mikhail Sergachev played together while Olli Määttä and Ian Cole were paired up.
Utah returns home for the team’s home opener on Oct. 15 against the Calgary Flames. There will be a Seat Geek Plaza Party before the game, learn more about the event here!
Andre Burakovsky snapped a third-period tie, and the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Utah Mammoth 3-1 on Monday night for coach Jeff Blashill’s first win with his new team. Chicago dropped its first three …
CHICAGO (AP) — Andre Burakovsky snapped a third-period tie, and the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Utah Mammoth 3-1 on Monday night for coach Jeff Blashill’s first win with his new team.
Chicago dropped its first three games despite being tied at 2 after the second period in each contest. It was outshot by Utah 23-14, but a wide-open Burakovsky beat Vitek Vanecek low on the stick side for the deciding power-play goal with 11:05 left.
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Ilya Mikheyev had two goals for the Blackhawks, including an empty-netter in the final seconds. Spencer Knight made 22 saves.
Blashill, 51, was hired by Chicago in May. It’s his second stint as a head coach in the NHL after he went 204-261-72 in seven seasons with Detroit.
JJ Peterka scored for Utah, which dropped two of three on its season-opening road trip. Vanecek finished with 11 stops.
The Mammoth played without defenseman Sean Durzi, who is expected to miss four weeks with an upper-body injury. Durzi had an assist during Saturday night’s 3-2 overtime win at Nashville.
Looking for the tying goal, Utah got a power-play opportunity when Connor Bedard was sent off for holding with 8:19 to go. But Chicago killed it off.
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Utah controlled the action in the second, outshooting Chicago 13-3 in the period. But the Blackhawks went in front when Mikheyev drove to the net and stuffed it in at 9:21 for his first goal of the season.
Peterka responded 1:02 into the third, tying it at 1 when he beat Knight from the side of the net. It was Peterka’s first goal since he was acquired in a June trade with Buffalo.
Blackhawks forward Jason Dickinson returned to the lineup after missing Saturday night’s 3-2 loss to Montreal with an upper-body injury. He skated with the team Monday morning and said he had bounced back quicker than he had expected.
Up next
Both teams play again Wednesday night. Utah has its home opener against Calgary, and Chicago visits St. Louis.
The 42-10 loss to the Utah Utes was humbling – Devon Dampier and the team’s rushing attack dominated the fabric of the game from the onset of the night. The offense and defense had no answers to Kyle …
The 42-10 loss to the Utah Utes was humbling – Devon Dampier and the team’s rushing attack dominated the fabric of the game from the onset of the night. The offense and defense had no answers to Kyle …
After big wins, are Colorado, Utah, and Kansas State about to get their seasons back on track? Predictions for every remaining 2025 Big 12 game.
Well, that’s more like it.
The Big 12 is what we all thought it would be, to a point. It’s about even from almost top to bottom, Texas Tech leading the pack, Oklahoma State in the basement, and everyone in between beating each other up.
Here are the Big 12 schedules and our picks for every remaining game.
Big 12 Season Outlook and Game-by-Game Predictions Before Week 8
Big 12 Season Calls and Predictions Going into Week 8 – @PeteFiutak
– Kansas and Kansas State both need the win against each other at the end of the month. The winner will likely get to six wins with a bowl game, the loser will struggle to get eligible.
– BYU vs Utah now sets the tone for the rest of the Big 12 season. BYU is battling every week, but it’s still undefeated. A loss, though, and things could crash with road games at Iowa State and Texas Tech next.
– If Utah really is back on track, it should go on a run with four of the next five games in Salt Lake City coming after the BYU showdown.
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Arizona Wildcats
2025 Record: 4-2 CFN Predicted Record: 6-6
Aug 30 Hawaii W 40-6 Sept 6 Weber State W 48-3 Sept 13 Kansas State W 23-17 Sept 20 OPEN DATE Sept 27 at Iowa State L 39-14 Oct 4 Oklahoma State W 41-13 Oct 11 BYU L 33-27 Oct 18 at Houston L Oct 25 OPEN DATE Nov 1 at Colorado L Nov 8 Kansas W Nov 15 at Cincinnati L Nov 22 Baylor W Nov 29 at Arizona State L
Missing: Kansas State, TCU, Texas Tech, UCF, Utah, West Virginia
Arizona State Sun Devils
2025 Record: 4-2 CFN Predicted Record: 9-3
Aug 30 Northern Arizona W 38-19 Sept 6 at Mississippi State L 24-20 Sept 13 Texas State W 34-15 Sept 20 at Baylor W 27-24 Sept 27 TCU W 27-24 Oct 4 OPEN DATE Oct 11 at Utah L 42-10 Oct 18 Texas Tech L Oct 25 Houston W Nov 1 at Iowa State W Nov 8 OPEN DATE Nov 15 West Virginia W Nov 22 at Colorado W Nov 29 Arizona W
Aug 30 Auburn L 38-24 Sept 6 at SMU W 48-45 Sept 13 Samford W 42-7 Sept 20 Arizona State L 27-24 Sept 27 at Oklahoma State W 45-27 Oct 4 Kansas State W 35-34 Oct 11 OPEN DATE Oct 18 at TCU L Oct 25 at Cincinnati W Nov 1 UCF W Nov 8 OPEN DATE Nov 15 Utah L Nov 22 at Arizona L Nov 29 Houston W
Missing: BYU, Colorado, Iowa State, Kansas, Texas Tech, West Virginia
Aug 30 Portland State W 69-0 Sept 6 Stanford W 27-3 Sept 13 OPEN DATE Sept 20 at East Carolina W 34-13 Sept 27 at Colorado W 24-21 Oct 3 West Virginia W 38-24 Oct 11 at Arizona W 33-27 Oct 18 Utah L Oct 25 at Iowa State L Nov 1 OPEN DATE Nov 8 at Texas Tech L Nov 15 TCU W Nov 22 at Cincinnati L Nov 29 UCF W
Missing: Arizona State, Baylor, Houston, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State
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Cincinnati Bearcats
2025 Record: 5-1 CFN Predicted Record: 8-4
Aug 28 vs Nebraska (in Kansas City) L 20-17 Sept 6 Bowling Green W 34-20 Sept 13 Northwestern State W 70-0 Sept 20 OPEN DATE Sept 27 at Kansas W 37-34 Oct 4 Iowa State W 38-30 Oct 11 UCF W 20-11 Oct 18 at Oklahoma State W Oct 25 Baylor L Nov 1 at Utah L Nov 8 OPEN DATE Nov 15 Arizona W Nov 22 BYU W Nov 29 at TCU L
Missing: Arizona State, Colorado, Houston, Kansas State, Texas Tech, West Virginia
Colorado Buffaloes
2025 Record: 3-4 CFN Predicted Record: 4-8
Aug 30 Georgia Tech L 27-20 Sept 6 Delaware W 31-7 Sept 13 at Houston L 36-20 Sept 20 Wyoming W 37-20 Sept 27 BYU L 24-21 Oct 4 at TCU L 35-21 Oct 11 Iowa State W 24-17 Oct 18 OPEN DATE Oct 25 at Utah L Nov 1 Arizona W Nov 8 at West Virginia L Nov 15 OPEN DATE Nov 22 Arizona State L Nov 29 at Kansas State L
Aug 30 Stephen F Austin W 27-0 Sept 6 at Rice W 35-9 Sept 13 Colorado W 36-20 Sept 20 OPEN DATE Sept 27 at Oregon State W 27-24 Oct 4 Texas Tech L 35-11 Oct 11 at Oklahoma State W 39-17 Oct 18 Arizona L Oct 25 at Arizona State L Nov 1 West Virginia W Nov 8 at UCF L Nov 15 OPEN DATE Nov 22 TCU W Nov 29 at Baylor L
Aug 23 vs Kansas State (in Dublin) W 24-21 Aug 30 South Dakota W 55-7 Sept 6 Iowa W 16-13 Sept 13 at Arkansas State W 24-16 Sept 20 OPEN DATE Sept 27 Arizona W 39-14 Oct 4 at Cincinnati L 38-30 Oct 11 at Colorado L 24-17 Oct 18 OPEN DATE Oct 25 BYU W Nov 1 Arizona State L Nov 8 at TCU L Nov 15 OPEN DATE Nov 22 Kansas W Nov 29 at Oklahoma State W
Missing: Baylor, Houston, Texas Tech, UCF, Utah, West Virginia
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Kansas Jayhawks
2025 Record: 4-3 CFN Predicted Record: 6-6
Aug 23 Fresno State W 31-7 Aug 30 Wagner W 46-7 Sept 6 at Missouri L 42-31 Sept 13 OPEN DATE Sept 20 West Virginia W 41-10 Sept 27 Cincinnati L 37-34 Oct 4 at UCF W 27-20 Oct 11 at Texas Tech L 42-17 Oct 18 OPEN DATE Oct 25 Kansas State W Nov 1 Oklahoma State W Nov 8 at Arizona L Nov 15 OPEN DATE Nov 22 at Iowa State L Nov 29 Utah L
Aug 23 vs Iowa State (in Dublin) L 24-21 Aug 30 North Dakota W 38-35 Sept 6 Army L 24-21 Sept 13 at Arizona L 23-17 Sept 20 OPEN DATE Sept 27 UCF W 34-20 Oct 4 at Baylor L 35-34 Oct 11 TCU W 41-28 Oct 18 OPEN DATE Oct 25 at Kansas L Nov 1 Texas Tech W Nov 8 OPEN DATE Nov 15 at Oklahoma State W Nov 22 at Utah L Nov 29 Colorado W
Missing: Arizona State, BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, UCF, West Virginia
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Oklahoma State Cowboys
2025 Record: 1-5 CFN Predicted Record: 1-11
Aug 30 UT Martin W 27-7 Sept 6 at Oregon L 69-3 Sept 13 OPEN DATE Sept 20 Tulsa L 19-12 Sept 27 Baylor L 45-27 Oct 4 at Arizona L 41-13 Oct 11 Houston L 39-17 Oct 18 Cincinnati L Oct 25 at Texas Tech L Nov 1 at Kansas L Nov 8 OPEN DATE Nov 15 Kansas State L Nov 22 at UCF L Nov 29 Iowa State L
Missing: Arizona State, BYU, Colorado, TCU, Utah, West Virginia
TCU Horned Frogs
2025 Record: 4-2 CFN Predicted Record: 8-4
Sept 1 at North Carolina W 48-14 Sept 6 Abilene Christian W 42-21 Sept 13 OPEN DATE Sept 20 SMU W 35-24 Sept 27 at Arizona State L 27-24 Oct 4 Colorado W 35-21 Oct 11 at Kansas State L 41-28 Oct 18 Baylor W Oct 25 at West Virginia W Nov 1 OPEN DATE Nov 8 Iowa State W Nov 15 at BYU L Nov 22 at Houston L Nov 29 Cincinnati W
Aug 30 Arkansas-Pine Bluff W 67-7 Sept 6 Kent State W 62-14 Sept 13 Oregon State W 45-14 Sept 20 at Utah W 34-10 Sept 27 OPEN DATE Oct 4 at Houston W 35-11 Oct 11 Kansas W 42-17 Oct 18 at Arizona State W Oct 25 Oklahoma State W Nov 1 at Kansas State L Nov 8 BYU W Nov 15 UCF W Nov 22 OPEN DATE Nov 29 at West Virginia W
Aug 28 Jacksonville State W 17-10 Sept 6 North Carolina A&T W 68-7 Sept 13 OPEN DATE Sept 20 North Carolina W 34-9 Sept 27 at Kansas State L 34-20 Oct 4 Kansas L 27-20 Oct 11 at Cincinnati L 28-22 Oct 18 West Virginia W Oct 25 OPEN DATE Nov 1 at Baylor L Nov 8 Houston W Nov 15 at Texas Tech L Nov 22 Oklahoma State W Nov 29 at BYU L
Aug 30 at UCLA W 43-10 Sept 6 Cal Poly W 63-9 Sept 13 at Wyoming W 31-6 Sept 20 Texas Tech L 34-10 Sept 27 at West Virginia W 48-14 Oct 4 OPEN DATE Oct 11 Arizona State W 42-10 Oct 18 at BYU W Oct 25 Colorado W Nov 1 Cincinnati W Nov 8 OPEN DATE Nov 15 at Baylor W Nov 22 Kansas State W Nov 29 at Kansas W
Aug 30 Robert Morris W 45-3 Sept 6 at Ohio L 17-10 Sept 13 Pitt W 31-24 Sept 20 at Kansas L 41-10 Sept 27 Utah L 48-14 Oct 3 at BYU L 38-24 Oct 11 OPEN DATE Oct 18 at UCF L Oct 25 TCU L Nov 1 at Houston L Nov 8 Colorado W Nov 15 at Arizona State L Nov 22 OPEN DATE Nov 29 Texas Tech L
Missing: Arizona, Baylor, Cincinnati, Iowa State, Kansas State, Oklahoma State
Two children are in critical condition after a family got stranded overnight after being reported missing while on a hike in a canyon in Utah, according to reports.
Two children are in critical condition after a family got stranded overnight after being reported missing while on a hike in a canyon in Utah, according to reports.
“Should be a great matchup,” Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said following the Utes win over Arizona State on Saturday. “I would say it’s shaping up to be a biggest event in the state of Utah, …
“Big Noon Kickoff” is coming to Provo this week.
BYU will host FOX’s premier college football pregame show beginning at 8 a.m. MDT Saturday, ahead of the highly anticipated BYU vs. Utah rivalry contest at 6 p.m.
This will be the second time the program has come to Utah this season. Three weeks ago the Utes and Salt Lake City played host to show before the Utes lost 34-10 to No. 7 Texas Tech on Sep. 20 in Rice-Eccles Stadium.
“Should be a great matchup,” Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said following the Utes win over Arizona State on Saturday. “I would say it’s shaping up to be a biggest event in the state of Utah, sporting event like it is most years.”
The “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame cast includes host Rob Stone, former Heisman Trophy winners Brady Quinn, Mark Ingram II and Matt Leinart.
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) Fox and Barstool personalities on the set of Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff before Utah plays Texas Tech in Salt Lake City, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy and former Utah head coach Urban Meyer are also on the show. The last time Portnoy was in town, he led anti-BYU chants with Ute fans and tried several local pizza joints in downtown Salt Lake City.
Both programs are coming into the matchup ranked inside the AP Top 25 — with BYU at No. 15 and the Utes at No. 23 — after their respective wins this weekend.
Note to readers •This story is available to Salt Lake Tribune subscribers only. Thank you for supporting local journalism.
The next installment of the Holy War rivalry will also be a top-25 matchup between a pair of Big 12 contenders. Utah and BYU will head into next Saturday’s cont …
The next installment of the Holy War rivalry will also be a top-25 matchup between a pair of Big 12 contenders.
Utah and BYU will head into next Saturday’s contest as members of the Associated Press Top 25 poll after both came away victorious in Week 6, setting up a pivotal matchup in Provo, Utah, that’ll feature more than just bragging rights at stake.
Following their dominant win over Arizona State, the Utes earned a spot as the No. 23-ranked team in the country in the latest edition of the media poll that was released Sunday afternoon.
The Cougars, meanwhile, ascended three spots to No. 15 following their come-from-behind win on the road over Arizona, in which they overcame a double-digit deficit for a 33-27 double-overtime win in Tucson, Arizona.
Utah’s Week 7 contest didn’t include nearly as much drama, as the Utes pummeled the Sun Devils in the trenches to pull away for a 42-10 victory at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Devon Dampier had 120 of his team’s 276 rushing yards, gashing the Big 12’s No. 2 run defense all night, while Utah’s defense sacked backup quarterback Jeff Sims five times to hold Arizona State to just 259 total yards of offense.
Oct 11, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) throws the ball against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. / Rob Gray-Imagn Images
The Sun Devils, who didn’t have Sam Leavitt for that 32-point loss, dropped out of the poll after checking in at No. 21 last week. Iowa State, previously ranked No. 23, also fell out of the top 25 after its 24-17 setback to Colorado.
Texas Tech led the Big 12 pack as the No. 7-ranked team in the land. The Red Raiders improved to 6-0 over the weekend with a 42-17 triumph over Kansas.
The matchup at LaVell Edwards Stadium between Utah and BYU is set to be the only ranked matchup in the Big 12 on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. local time on Fox.
“Should be a great matchup,” Whittingham said of the BYU game. “I would say it’s shaping up to be the biggest event in the state of Utah, sporting event [wise], like it is most years.”
Here’s the rest of the AP Top 25 poll.
Ohio State (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) [50 first-place votes]
Miami (5-0, 1-0 ACC) [13]
Indiana (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) [3]
Texas A&M (6-0, 3-0 SEC)
Ole Miss (6-0, 3-0 SEC)
Alabama (5-1, 3-0 SEC)
Texas Tech (6-0, 3-0 Big 12)
Oregon (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten)
Georgia (5-1, 3-1 SEC)
LSU (5-1, 2-1 SEC)
Tennessee (5-1, 2-1 SEC)
Georgia Tech (6-0, 3-0 ACC)
Notre Dame (4-2)
Oklahoma (5-1, 1-1 SEC)
BYU (6-0, 3-0 Big 12)
Missouri (5-1, 1-1 SEC)
Vanderbilt (5-1, 1-1 SEC)
Virginia (5-1, 3-0 ACC)
South Florida (5-1, 2-0 AAC)
USC (5-1, 3-1 Big Ten)
Texas (4-2, 1-1 SEC)
Memphis (6-0, 2-0 AAC)
Utah (5-1, 2-1 Big 12)
Cincinnati (5-1, 3-0 Big 12)
Nebraska (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten)
Dropped out
Florida State (No. 25), Iowa State (No. 22), Arizona State (No. 21), Illinois (No. 17), Michigan (No. 15)
Pregame analysis and predictions of the San José State Spartans vs. Utah State Aggies NCAAF game to be played on October 17, 2025 on ESPN.
San Jose State (2-4) at Utah State (3-3), Oct. 17 at 9 p.m. EDT.
How to watch: CBS Sports Network
Key stats
Utah State Offense
Overall: 423.0 yards per game (42nd in FBS)
Passing: 254.7 yards per game (50th)
Rushing: 168.3 yards per game (53rd)
Scoring: 34.7 points per game (37th)
Utah State Defense
Overall: 435.2 yards per game (123rd in FBS)
Passing: 257.2 yards per game (121st)
Rushing: 178.0 yards per game (112th)
Scoring: 32.7 points per game (125th)
San Jose State Offense
Overall: 411.7 yards per game (53rd in FBS)
Passing: 310.8 yards per game (9th)
Rushing: 100.8 yards per game (122nd)
Scoring: 24.0 points per game (96th)
San Jose State Defense
Overall: 420.2 yards per game (116th in FBS)
Passing: 292.7 yards per game (132nd)
Rushing: 127.5 yards per game (49th)
Scoring: 29.2 points per game (102nd)
Utah State ranks 131st in third down percentage, converting 28.8% of the time. San Jose State ranks 36th on defense, allowing its opponents to convert at 33.3%.
Utah State ranks 132nd in FBS in red zone defense, allowing opponents to score on 96.0% of trips.
Utah State ranks 123rd in the FBS with an average time of possession of 27:01.
Rushing: Jabari Bates, 192 yards on 27 carries, 2 TDs
Receiving: Danny Scudero, 851 yards on 50 catches, 8 TDs
Last game
Utah State lost 44-26 to Hawaii on Sunday, Oct. 12. Barnes led Utah State with 175 yards on 14-of-26 passing (53.8%) for one touchdown and one interception. He also carried the ball 12 times for 64 yards. Davis had 102 rushing yards on 15 carries and one touchdown, adding three receptions for 12 yards. Pegan had three receptions for 84 yards.
San Jose State fell to Wyoming 35-28 on Saturday, Oct. 11. Eget threw for 295 yards on 23-of-37 attempts (62.2%) with four touchdowns and no interceptions. Lamar Radcliffe carried the ball seven times for 29 yards. Scudero recorded 180 yards on 10 catches with four touchdowns.
Next game
Utah State plays at New Mexico on Oct. 25. San Jose State hosts Hawaii on Nov. 1.
That was ugly. There is no other way to put ASU’s 10 to 42 loss to the Utah Utes. Now, credit to Utah, it was a game that they completely dominated from start t …
That was ugly. There is no other way to put ASU’s 10 to 42 loss to the Utah Utes. Now, credit to Utah, it was a game that they completely dominated from start to finish. Utah Head Coach Kyle Whittingham did a great job and his team, but there are reasons why ASU fans should be concerned.
Sep 27, 2025; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham talks to several officials during the third quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images / Ben Queen-Imagn Images
Brian Ward’s unit had their worst game of the season by far as they allowed over 42 points. It was the first time this season that they allowed 30-plus points in a game. Now, Utah started the game hot as they had 21 points. However, ASU’s bend but don’t break defense that was prevalent in the Big 12 wins they had this season, against Baylor and TCU, was not present as Utah continued to produce points.
Defensive coordinator Brian Ward instructs his players during ASU fall camp practice on Aug. 2, 2024, at Verde Dickey Dome in Tempe. / Cheryl Evans/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
One of the elements that stood out the most was the bad tackling on display. Utah had so many runs that were extended due to ASU’s poor tackling angles and pursuit. This was especially prevalent with Quarterback Devon Dampier, who looked like the Baltimore Ravens‘ Lamar Jackson on the field with how well he was able to run the ball at the quarterback position.
Oct 11, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) runs the ball against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images / Rob Gray-Imagn Images
This is especially concerning, especially since ASU is coming off of their bye week, a week of preparation and rest. For the defense to look this sloppy is a huge concern moving forward. Brian Ward’s unit simply did not play well and it is something that they need to fix, especially with a great offense in Texas Tech next week.
Another reason that Dampier was able to run so well was because of ASU’s lack of line play. Going to this game, ASU had a big challenge, to face Utah’s amazing line and they struggled.
Oct 11, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes offensive lineman Spencer Fano (55) celebrates a touchdown against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the third quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images / Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Devon Dampier did not get sacked once and he had plenty of time back in the pocket. On the opposite side, ASU’s Jeff Sims was under pressure pretty constantly throughout the game. ASU’s line play has been good so far outside of this game, but the concern starts with the fact that their next opponent, the Texas Tech Red Raiders, is great in the trenches.
When it was known that Jeff Sims was going to start, it was said by ASU’s coaching staff that the game plan was not going to change from what they had with Sam Leavitt. Now, Sims was not bad in this game, but the game plan should have been changed with Sims starting. A lot of the passing plays were longer developing, which is just not Sims’s strength.
Oct 11, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes safety Tao Johnson (5) pressures Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Jeff Sims (2) during the second quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images / Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Sims has talent, and it was good for ASU to go deep on the first play or two to show that Marcus Arroyo had confidence in Sims. However, as the game went on, the team should have focused on the middle and short areas of the field.
If Sam Leavitt were starting, there is a high chance that ASU would not win. However, if Sims is starting next week against Texas Tech, then Arroyo needs to change the playbook.
Arizona State offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo answers questions during media day for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. / Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
This game was bad; there are no positives about it. However, this is a big rebounding point for ASU. Coach Dillingham has established a strong culture and it will be up to him and the rest of the team to hopefully get back on track this season. So, even though things look dire, there is hope.
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