TEMPE, Ariz. — — Kenny Dillingham screamed through an adrenaline-fueled interview and got caught in a student mosh pit.

The sea of ​​humanity surrounding him, the Arizona State coach and alum joined in, jumping and shouting with the students after Arizona State’s 27-19 victory over No. 16 Utah on Friday night.

“I was one of these guys! I was doing this!” Dillingham said, bouncing with the crowd before disappearing.

A year after an injury-plagued 3-9 first season, Dillingham’s Sun Devils have already made their mark in the Big 12.

Arizona State (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) is off to its best start since opening the 2019 season at 5-1 and posted its biggest win under Dillingham despite losing quarterback Sam Leavitt for most of the second quarter .

Cam Skattebo had a lot to do with it.

The Bulldozer running back punished the Utes all night, finishing with 158 yards and two touchdowns.

In the third quarter, Skattebo broke several tackles, put his hand down to steady himself and stiff-armed another tackler for a 50-yard touchdown run. Skattebo all but put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter, breaking a tackle and then outrunning the Utah defense for a 47-yard touchdown.

“We beat the No. 16 team in the country,” Skattebo said. “Who says we can’t beat anyone else?”

The Utes (4-2, 1-2) had plenty of opportunities in the return of quarterback Cameron Rising after he missed three games with a finger injury.

Stand up was largely ineffective, limited by the hand injury and a leg injury in the first quarter that limited him for the rest of the game. The seventh-year senior threw three interceptions and finished 16 for 37 for 209 yards.

“Those guys did a great job of getting open, but I wasn’t able to get them the ball and throw them accurately,” Rising said. “We just couldn’t move it because of that.”

Rising’s problems were only part of Utah’s problems.

The Utes spent most of the night without capitalizing, scoring one touchdown in seven trips through Arizona State’s 30.

Rising threw an interception at Arizona State’s 9, Utah turned it over on downs early in the fourth quarter and the Utes had to settle for field goals on four more trips inside Arizona State’s 30. The last, by Cole Becker from 46 yards out in the fourth quarter, came after a pass-interference penalty against Money Parks nullified Mycah Pittman’s 12-yard touchdown catch.

Micah Bernard carried Utah’s offense most of the night, running for 129 yards and a touchdown.

“As long as we continue to have our problems in the red zone, we may not win another game,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. “That’s just how important it is.”

McCullough’s evening

Caleb McCoullough entered his senior season having spent his entire career at Arizona State despite back-to-back 3-9 seasons.

The linebacker had his best game against Utah.

McCullough had 12 tackles – 1 1/2 for a loss – and grabbed two interceptions, including the game-clinching one in the fourth quarter.

“He’s a man who was here despite all the mess, despite all the bad things that happened,” Dillingham said. “He was one of the few guys who stayed and for him to be able to make that play is great.”

The takeaway

Skattebo is one of the most versatile running backs in the country and seems to improve later in games. His tough play and improved defense could lead to Arizona State earning its first ranking since 2021. Utah will likely fall out of the AP Top 25 after its second straight loss.

Next

Utah: Hosts TCU this Saturday.

Arizona State: Next Saturday at Cincinnati.

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