What Kenny Dillingham Had to Say After Arizona State Win

TEMPE -- The 25th-ranked Arizona State Sun Devils improved to 8-3 on the season and are set to enter week 14 of the season with a chance to return to the Big 12 title game following a resounding 42-17 victory over the Colorado Buffaloes on Saturday night.

Head coach Kenny Dillingham spoke about a myriad of topics following the victory - including the upcoming matchup against the Sun Devils' bitter rival, opening up on why the team opted to fake a punt on fourth down, and so much more.

Arizona State on SI covers three key topics Dillingham spoke on post-game below.

lknnklln — Nov 22, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Jeff Sims (2) hands off to running back Raleek Brown (3) against the Colorado Buffaloes in the second quarter at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

On Arizona Matchup

"Hopefully we can build on that going into next week, because, you know, they're playing really, really, really good football, really good football. i mean, they're probably one of the best teams in our league right now. he's playing as good a football as anybody in our league right now. so, you know, that's they've been at home at four o'clock today, you know, on the couch relaxing and we're about to get fly back right now, so they're really good football team, and we better have more explosives next week."

Arizona State head football coach Kenny Dillingham speaks to the media during a news conference at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Oct. 20, 2025. | Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Wildcats are now 8-3 on the season, and are one-possession losses to BYU/Houston away from being 10-1 and having a legitimate shot to play for the conference title. The Wildcats have undergone a comeback season and playing spoiler to Arizona State should generate plenty of motivation heading into Friday.

lnklknnk — Nov 30, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils running back Cam Skattebo (4) holds the Territorial Cup at the end of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images | Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

On Jordyn Tyson's Return

"He had a huge, explosive play in the first quarter that, you know, got us three points. Then I thought he, you know, he gave him awesome he, you know, he gave a speech before the game, and it was super cool. I mean, all he talked about was, this isn't about him, and it's not about this is about the team. This is about the team playing their best football game. You know, when you have a kid like that who's battling an injury could shut it down, right?..."

efeffe — 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

On Opportunity to Play For Big 12 Title

"The last game of the year matters, not just because it's the rivalry game, right? It matters to the league. And if we can consistently do that, you know, are we going to win it every year? No, I wish we could. Are we going to win every rivalry game? No, I wish we will.

But if we can play meaningful football on the last Saturday every year, I think we're going to continue to sell out games. And if we continue to sell out games, we're going to continue to get them more of investment from the university, and if we get more investment from the university, we're going to continue to sell out games..."

Although the path to the conference title game currently appears bleak, there is still much to play for - it's clear that Dillingham is enjoying the ride, regardless of the result.

Read more on why the Arizona State men's basketball team will exceed expectations in the 2025-26 season here, and on how the culture that has been cultivated by coach Dillingham showed up against West Virginia here.

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