Sun Devils Seek Breakthrough vs. #24 TCU — Dillingham Outlines Keys to Victory
- Jordon Leon
- Sep 24
- 4 min read
TEMPE, Ariz. — With TCU arriving under the lights this Friday and ranked No. 24 nationally, Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham knows this is a pivotal moment in his team’s season. In his Monday press conference, Dillingham laid out a clear roadmap: tighten situational execution, contain TCU’s dynamic offense, and leverage the emotional energy of home.
Key #1: Clean Up Red Zone & Finishing Drives
One recurring theme in Dillingham’s presser was how close ASU has been to breaking games open — if only they could finish in the red zone and eliminate drive-stalling miscues.
“We just got to finish drives in the red zone … We challenge the guys to be better in the areas that we have to get better in.”
He acknowledged that the offense has had opportunities but faltered when it mattered most — a mix of penalties, route spacing issues, and marginal misses. Against a disciplined TCU squad, those lost yardage moments will loom large.
Dillingham teased creative adjustments: tweaking personnel in short yardage situations, raising his willingness to kick field goals when needed, and tailoring play calls based on matchups. The message is clear: when drives stall, don’t let execution mistakes be the difference.
Why this matters: In a close ballgame, red zone efficiency separates contenders from pretenders. ASU’s explosive plays are tantalizingly within reach — but unless they turn more “close calls” into points, TCU’s consistency could take over.
Key #2: Contain Josh Hoover, Limit Big Plays
Perhaps the biggest chess match Friday will be against TCU quarterback Josh Hoover, who enters as one of the most efficient passers in the Big 12. Dillingham praised Hoover’s ability to anticipate throws, extend plays, and punish defenses that lose contain.
The Sun Devils’ plan revolves around discipline at every level:
Up front: Expect CJ Fite to be featured heavily in pass-rush situations. His interior push has been disruptive, and sliding him into more third-down snaps could force Hoover to make throws under duress. With Fite collapsing the pocket, edge rushers like Clayton Smith can focus on containment rather than over-pursuit.
At linebacker and safety: Adrian “Boogie” Wilson will be tasked with keeping eyes on Hoover during broken plays. His range and closing speed allow ASU to spy the quarterback while still covering short crossing routes — one of TCU’s offensive staples.
On the back end: Keith Abney has emerged as a ball-hawk, and his ability to jump routes could be critical if Hoover tries to test the sidelines. Abney’s recognition, paired with Kendrich Breedlove’s consistency on the opposite side, gives ASU a chance to bait Hoover into risky throws when under pressure.
Dillingham was blunt about the stakes:
“We can’t let this guy extend plays … extended plays create explosive plays. That’s what we got to prepare for.”
Why this matters: If ASU’s front four — led by Fite — can hurry Hoover without constantly blitzing, the secondary will have chances to capitalize. The formula is simple: compress the pocket, force Hoover into throws on ASU’s terms, and let Abney and Wilson turn mistakes into momentum-swinging plays.
Key #3: Harness the Home Energy — Make This Friday Night The Place To Be
Dillingham didn’t shy from placing emotional weight on this matchup: it’s a “critical game to our season,” played right before a bye. He called on the fans to not just show up, but to be loud and make an impact.
“We have a really good TCU team … we need the fans there. We just don’t need you there, we need you loud.”
That urgency is partly born of timing. A win over a ranked opponent would inject momentum into the program, particularly as the Sun Devils try to stake their place in the Big 12 conversation. Dillingham framed it as pushing “all of our chips into the middle.”
Moreover, managing the short week — adjusting practices, limiting wear-and-tear, and turning Wednesday into a half walkthrough — is meant to preserve sharpness and energy for game night.
Why this matters: Rival teams often feed off hostile environments. If ASU’s crowd can disrupt tempo, create noise on third downs, and rally the team late, it could tilt tight calls in their favor. For Dillingham, it’s more than just home field — it’s about creating an edge.
Final Thoughts & Projection
Coming into the matchup, ASU is clearly on the cusp. Dillingham’s consistent refrain was “we’re right there” — just needing to clean up a few execution kinks and align scheme with personnel. The ingredients for a breakthrough win are present: a confident QB in Sam Leavitt, emerging weapons like Derek Eusebio, and a defense that’s shown flashes of surge potential.
With CJ Fite anchoring the pass rush and the duo of Abney and Wilson patrolling the secondary, the Sun Devils have a blueprint to disrupt Josh Hoover’s rhythm. Combine that with finishing drives and a fired-up home crowd, and Dillingham’s squad has the tools to turn Friday into a signature win.
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