No. 8 BYU prepares to host the Arizona State Sun Devils at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 31, as the Cougars look to build on a 6-1 season. Arizona State enters the matchup with a 4-3 record and faces uncertainty regarding the health of quarterback Mikey Keene, who is currently listed as questionable for the upcoming contest.
Game Details and Context
The matchup between the Cougars and the Sun Devils is scheduled for a 1:30 p.m. MT kickoff on Saturday, Oct. 31. According to BYU athletics, the game will be televised live on FOX. The contest follows a difficult Week 8 for BYU, which suffered its first loss of the season, a 39-31 defeat against UCF on Saturday, Oct. 24.
Quarterback Uncertainty and Execution
Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham addressed the team's preparation during a press conference on Monday, Oct. 26. Dillingham noted that the Sun Devils have seen improvements in execution, reporting that the team achieved a success rate of over 80% on both offense and defense for the first time this season. Despite the improvement, Dillingham stated the team's goal is to reach a 90% success rate.
Regarding the quarterback position, Dillingham described Mikey Keene as questionable following recent imaging. While Keene is considered a tough competitor who will continue to practice, Dillingham indicated that freshman Jake Fette remains the alternative should Keene be unable to play. Dillingham noted that Fette has shown significant progression, including the ability to communicate effectively with the sideline and recognize defensive coverages during recent play.
Coaching Insights and Strategy
Dillingham also commented on the challenge of playing in Provo, describing the BYU environment as one of the hardest places to play in college football. He praised the BYU coaching staff and fan base for their consistency and impact on the program.
In discussing the offensive strategy, Dillingham highlighted the importance of run plays and movement, specifically mentioning the performance of running back Cardae Mack. He noted that the team has been working to improve how they handle defensive pressure, specifically instances where offensive linemen are cut out by the defense.
Historical Series Background
The historical rivalry between the two programs shows a significant advantage for Arizona State, which leads the series 21-8. The most recent meeting between the teams occurred on Nov. 23, 2024, when Arizona State defeated BYU 28-23 in Tempe.
Prior to that, the teams met in 2021, with BYU winning 27-17 in Provo. Other notable matchups include a 26-6 BYU victory in Provo in 1998 and the first meeting in 1935, which BYU won 13-0 in Tempe.
Recent Team Momentum
As the Sun Devils prepare for the trip to Utah, they carry momentum from a victory over Kansas State, which they won 28-17 at home. Meanwhile, BYU looks to rebound from their recent loss to UCF to maintain their top-10 national ranking.
Recent Arizona State Results
The Arizona State schedule leading up to this matchup included a 25-53 loss to Texas Tech on Saturday, Oct. 17, and a 30-12 victory over Hawaii on Saturday, Oct. 10. The Sun Devils' upcoming season schedule includes the matchup against BYU as part of the Week 9 college football slate.
