Kenny Dillingham Breaks Down ASU Victory, Reaffirms Commitment to Program

TEMPE -- Arizona State's Big 12 title hopes are still alive after a dramatic 25-23 win over the West Virginia Mountaineers - much of that is due to the game management by head coach Kenny Dillingham.

Dillingham spoke to media following the win - discussing strategies that resulted in the win, reaffirming his commitment to staying in Tempe, and much more.

To watch the full press conference, view below.

Below is a partial transcript from the discussion.

Dillingham on Mindset of Team

"I mean, like it's all the guys in their locker room. Some people find ways to win. Some people find ways to lose, whether that's in some people, you know, are quiet and they're successful versus guys that are loud and successful. Some people are alphas. Some people aren't. There's so many ways to be successful in football and life. Some people like controversy. Some people hate it. Do you get it done or not?"

On QB Jeff Sims

"Yeah. I mean, I truly think I said, I think it was last, whatever, 18 months ago, that I think our team has two NFL quarterbacks. And I think some people laughed at me or thought I was a little bit crazy. Still believe that.

I think Jeff Sims is a guy who can play on Sundays. I absolutely believe that. And for him to be able to get his opportunity is super cool. And me and coach royal, like, joke about it, we're like, man, like, what's right in the universe is for him to go out and be successful because he's such a good kid."

On Keith Abney II's Game Winning Interception

"Yeah, well, I think, you know, we want to recruit smart kids here. You know, our slogan to win football games is smart, tough, the bowl of the team. And Keith's a guy was in the Barrett Honors Program, the number one honors program in the country. And, you know, little plug for Barrett right there. He's in it. And when you see smart players make smart plays, it starts in the classroom. It starts in how he carries himself, and just in life. And then when it carries over to game day like that, it just shows you that you know being smart helps you win football games."

Oct 18, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Keith Abney II (1) celebrates a play against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

On Jordyn Tyson's Injury

"If Jordyn could play football, right now, he would 100% play football. Jordyn wants to play, right? But Kenny Dillingham is not gonna let him play until he's 100% not 90% not 95% when you're dealing with muscles, you don't mess around, you can't push through a muscle, right? You know, if your shoulder hurts, if your knee hurts, you can push through something you can't push through when you have a torn hamstring, it's just you got to wait and rehab and hope to come back as soon as possible.

lknlknnk — Oct 18, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the second half at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

So hopefully he's progressing, whether that's what this week, next week, who knows? Like, we just got to keep, keep progressing him. And he's putting in the work to come back, and he wants to come back for whatever it's worth."

Read more on why the Arizona State men's basketball team will exceed expectations in the 2025-26 season here, and three major takeaways following a gutsy win over Iowa State here

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