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Linebacker Caleb McCullough plays heroic in ASU’s upset against Utah

Vaseline October 12, 2024

Arizona State linebacker Caleb McCullough knew he would one day get his chance after four years in the program.

And that time came on a big stage during Friday’s huge 27-19 loss to Utah at Mountain America Stadium.

With 1:40 left in the game, Utah quarterback Cam Rising drove down the field and needed to score to close the eight-point gap. McCullough won the game when he read Rising’s throw intended for Money Parks in the red zone.

“Caleb is the definition of what this team is and that is just keep fighting and not get upset and find a way,” coach Kenny Dillingham said.

As fans stormed the field and fireworks went off, McCullough was quickly grabbed by the ESPN crew to do the postgame interview as player of the game. Something that once seemed far away for the backup linebacker who had played sparingly under Keyshaun Elliott.

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“That’s a guy who was here through all the crap,” Dillingham said. “He was here when all the bad things happened. He was 3-9 (season) here. Then I show up and tell him: Just stay, just stay. He’s back and we’re 3-9 and we’re bad again. He is one of the few people who stayed and for him to be able to make that play is great. Kudos to him.”

McCullough’s time at ASU was personified by perseverance. The former three-star prospect from Oxnard, California has steadily earned more playing time since stepping onto campus as a freshman in 2020.

But when ASU brought in new linebackers in Elliott from New Mexico State and Zyrus Fiaseu from San Diego State, McCullough had to earn his playing time.

With Elliott out in the first half after making a targeting call in the second half of last Saturday’s win over Kansas, McCullough made sure the absence wasn’t noticeable.

Not only was ASU short on defense without defensive lineman Clayton Smith, but the Sun Devils had to face Utah’s offense at full strength with Rising back from a finger injury.

McCullough’s tenacity and patience limited Utah to three field goals in the first half. ASU’s Linebackers Utah’s rushing attack was limited to 3.6 yards per carry, save for a 20-yard run by Micah Bernard in the second quarter.

“This is a linebackers game and I knew they were going to run the ball,” McCullough said. “Anytime you’re a linebacker and you’re playing against a running team, you should be happy. As a group, we felt like this was the game for us and we showed up tonight.”

McCullough not only had twelve tackles, but also made two big interceptions against Rising. The first came in the red zone when ASU had a one-possession lead during the second quarter.

McCullough overshadowed his career with many tackles, previously eight in 2023.

“I’m more excited to see what my dad has to say because I tell him I’m going to do all this before the game,” McCullough said. “If it happens, if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. It means the most to me to be able to make plays. I’ve been dreaming about this since I was a child. And finally, on the big stage, my team wins and we beat a ranked team. I’m just happy.”