Good evening Huddle,

Jake Sloan is in Lawrence to cover tonight's game

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"I feel that this is a decision that was good for me as a player and for me to mature as a man, too. I've got to earn everything that's going to come my way." Incoming freshman tight end AJ Ia discusses his football journey and what excites him to be a Sun Devil

“We didn’t start the half very well rebounding. We started digging a hole for ourselves that we couldn’t get out of.” Sun Devils followed up their best first half performance of the year with a forgettable second stanza where they were outscored 38-13 by the Jayhawks

Karma…..

“We've worked on a lot more of hand signals, and just overall, having our players recognize they've got to look to the bench more." ASU is about to encounter perhaps its loudest hostile environment this year and have worked on countering that aspect

It is true that the documentary project about the team didn't end up happening, BUT ASU did stand by all of their NIL obligations and all you need to know is what Jayden Quaintance's dad said here:


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HOUSTON, January 8, 2025 — Eight active college football coaches make up the American Heart Association’s 2024 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award finalist list. The award is given each January to a college football coach for contributions that make the sport better for athletes and fans alike by demonstrating grit, integrity and a winning approach to coaching and life – both on and off the field. The Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award is the only college football coaching honor given after the National Champion has been determined. The finalists and Coach of the Year recipient are voted on by members of the National Sports Media Association, the Bryant Awards’ Executive Leadership Team and the Bryant Family.



Five of the finalists were also named Bear Bryant conference coaches of the year for their respective collegiate athletic conferences.



The 2024 Coach of the Year finalists are (in alphabetical order by finalist last name):



Shane Beamer, University of South Carolina (Bear Bryant Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year)



Curt Cignetti, Indiana University (Bear Bryant Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year)



Spencer Danielson, Boise State University



Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State University (Bear Bryant Big 12 Conference Coach of the Year)



Marcus Freeman, University of Notre Dame



Rhett Lashlee, Southern Methodist University (Bear Bryant Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year)



Jeff Monken, United States Military Academy (Bear Bryant Group of Five Coach of the Year)



Steve Sarkisian, University of Texas



Now in its 39th year, the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year award winner will be announced live from Houston’s Post Oak Hotel on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, during an awards ceremony presented by Marathon Oil. The event will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.



The American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives for all and the Bryant family jointly present the award annually. The award celebrates Coach Bear Bryant’s legacy and raises awareness and critical funds for scientific research to eliminate needless suffering and death from cardiovascular disease and stroke -- the leading causes of death globally. The football coaching legend died from a heart attack in 1983.



As previously announced, Grant Teaff, the legendary former Baylor University head coach and American Football Coaches Association executive director and Mark Richt, former University of Georgia and University of Miami head coach, will also be recognized with special awards at this year’s gala event. Coach Teaff will receive the 2025 Paul “Bear” Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston and Coach Richt will receive the 2025 Heart of a Champion Award presented by St. Luke’s Health in Houston.

Tonight, ASU will look to replicate one of its biggest wins in program history, but the hurdle that is the Kansas Jayhawks could be stiffer than it was over seven years ago, especially on the road at Allen Fieldhouse

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An all-time comeback fell just short in an instant classic. @Joe Healey and I break down the Peach Bowl battle and the key takeaways from the game before talking with ASU athletic director Graham Rossini (44:17) on what the department is doing to build upon the success moving forward.

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Tyson's return now has the Sun Devils set to return 15 starters from their 11-win 2024 season

#19 Sun Devils are playing some lights out hockey ever since the sweep of Denver. Have a big series coming up against UND which is 2 points ahead in the standings.

Make sure to buy tickets because UND fans really travel. Wouldn’t be surprised to see a sea of green in mullet stadium. Go Devils!

I see where Texas Tech has decided to keep its football scholarship limit at 85 just like what the SEC is also doing...

A primary reason for doing so, if I'm reading things correctly, is because if they went to 105 football scholarships, the difference (105 minus 85, added expense of 20 scholarships) would be deducted from the $20+M amount from the NCAA settlement funds the school would receive once that is done this spring...

Edit: any new funding on scholarships (like football going from 85 to 105) up to $2.5M must be deducted from the $20M+ settlement amount each school is given...

I'm wondering if something couldn't be put in place to do the same thing with NIL dollars being deducted from that yearly settlement amount and, if so, would that level the playing field between schools and conferences...

Just wondering...Go Devils!!!

Leavitt went 14-22, 64% for 258 yds, 11.7 YPA, 2 TDs and 0 INTs (0 fumbles) along with 47 rushing yds (including his 2 sacks)

6 of his completions were behind the LOS (VERY high percentage throws) or 43%.

2 drops

The INCOMPLETIONS:

1)Q1/Series 2--Stovall got behind everyone but Leavitt hung the ball allowing the defenders to catch up and knock the ball loose on what was a potential 72 yd TD
2)Q2/Series 3--incomplete to an open Tyson on a 10 yrd dig as Leavitt is unable to step into his throw when a LB shoves Briggs out of the way and has a clear shot to Leavitt's mid-section
3)Q2/Series 5--Leavitt overthrows Skatt (and his limited catch radius) behind the LOS in the flat


4)Q3/Series 6--sprint out right and Leavit overthrows Tyson on a 12 yd out on 1st play of 2nd half
5)Q3/Series 6--Tyson gets a coupla steps behind his man and Leavitt overthrows him in the EZ 45 yds downfield
6)Drop by Tyson in the EZ with both hands on the strike
7)Q3/Series 7--Drop by Stovall on a screen
8)Q3/Series 7--Leavitt overthrows an open Tyson on a 20 yd out at the sideline

Certainly not trying to create some religious debate in this forum, but I think we can all agree with this one...

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Activate: To make something start or active.

Captivate: To hold someone's attention for being extremely interesting, exciting, charming, or attractive.

Looking back at the magical 2024 season, it seems like the Valley was activated after the dominating Oklahoma State win on the road and then captivated after the thrilling BYU win at home.

To go a step further, after the XII Championship victory, the Valley was mesmerized by the 2024 team, and especially with Cam Skattebo's herculean efforts and heroics on the field. A new life-long ASU football legend was born right before everyone's eyes.

ASU football literally became the talk and toast of the town for nearly a month in December and through the Peach Bowl.

Ultimately, a new generation of ASU football fans was born in a matter of a handful of games in just a few weeks, which is so critical to the long-term health and success of the program.

What a year to remember, from Camp Tontozona on August 10th to the Peach Bowl in Atlanta on January 1st...What an improbable and incredible ride shared by all.

Here is the link for a quick reference

The Good:
Stovall had 4 punt returns for 38 return yds but perhaps more importantly he came up to field the ball on fair catches and prevent long and unnecesary rolls

Parker Lewis had 7 kickoff touchbacks on 9 attempts

The Bad (not so bad)::
True Frosh Kanyon Floyd, in the first game of his career, punted from the 41 (after ASU intentionally took a Delay of Game penalty to give him more room to pin Wyoming down inside
Their 10) and got the touchback anyway.

On his 2nd punt with tonza space to flip the field his 2nd and last punt hit after 40 yards and fortunately Wyoming’s punt returner allowed
It to roll 11 yards before fielding it (resulting in a stat building 51 yd punt…and net 45
After the 6 yd return)

Floyd’s stat of 46.0 yds per
Punt will fool many……first game jitters? Did not cost ASU anything in this contest.

The Ugly:

After scoring a
Pic 6 on the 2nd play of the season, ASU’s stumbling ,Bumbling extra point team was
Missing a tackle until the very last second

With the ball on the 50 after a 15 yd penalty on Wyoming, ASU laid the ball on the ground and “specialist” Ian Hershey tried a “kickoff” that rolled To the 23 where Wyoming’s 2nd row easily fielded it and laid down. So much for taking advantage of the penalty.

Ian Hershey’s missed 38 yd FG attempt with as little pressure as is possible (home
Game, big lead, perfect conditions)

Carston Keiffer’s missed 43 yd FG attempt that went as far left as it did forward under all the advantageous circustances as Hershey’s.

This all accomplished with ASU likely being the only FBS team with TWO place
Kickers on sholi

Jake Smith’s stumble bumble on a kickoff return ….although he was
Likely told not to return the ball anyway due to the score/time circumstances

(35 minutes)



The Peach Bowl contest against Texas came oh so close to being ASU’s entire season in a microcosm. A Sun Devil team that comes in as a heavy underdog and exercises its trademark resiliency to overcome adverse odds almost came to fruition in Atlanta. A double-overtime loss, as disappointing as a defeat that it is, could still not put a damper on one of the best campaigns in program history.



There is a lot to break down when it comes to the remarkable journey the Sun Devils took its fan base on, and for that matter, I invited Sun Devil Network sideline reporter Kevin Turner, who was there for each and every contest this past season, to weigh in with his thoughts on the Sun Devils and their improbable 2024 season.

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