Arizona State Sun Devils scrimmage takeaways before opener
Arizona State Sun Devils coach Kenny Dillingham left the Aug. 22 scrimmage at Mountain America Stadium encouraged by late offensive run drives and a few explosive plays, but concerned about pass protection and tight end blocking as sacks piled up. The nearly two-hour session came one week before the Sept. 5 season opener against Morgan State.
Dillingham called the night similar to ASU's first scrimmage: the offense moved the ball and the defense largely prevented big plays, with the difference being a handful of explosive gains this time. For fans tracking preseason coverage through Streaming & TV Alerts, the final scrimmage offered the clearest snapshot yet of what to expect when kickoff arrives.
Key Takeaways
- Edge rushers Joshua Shanklin and Emar'rion Winston had two sacks apiece; Roman Pitre and Tristan Bacon added one each, exposing tackle protection issues.
- Running back depth stood out, capped by Grayson Rigdon's 80-yard touchdown catch from Mikey Keene—the longest play of the night.
- Special teams looked sharp: both kickers made 52-yard field goals, and punters Kanyon Floyd and Nick McLarty consistently pinned opponents inside the 20.
- Tight ends again struggled with blocking assignments while Khamari Anderson continues recovering from a broken leg.
- Sophomore cornerback Nigel Pringle was confirmed out for the season after a core injury at Camp Tontozona; lineman My'Keil Gardner is also done after Achilles surgery.
What stood out for Arizona State's offense?
The Sun Devils' backfield depth was on full display. Jason Brown, Demarius "Man Man" Robinson, and true freshman Cardae Mack each had solid runs, including pile-moving gains against stacked fronts. Running backs were also active in the passing game.
Rigdon's 80-yard scoring connection with Keene was the scrimmage's highlight. Dillingham noted the offense closed the final 30 minutes with strong run-heavy drives—a shift from earlier sessions when the defense had the upper hand.
How did Arizona State's defense perform?
ASU's edge rush dominated. Shanklin, Winston, Pitre, and Bacon combined for six sacks, mostly beating offensive tackles one-on-one. Dillingham acknowledged the pass-protection problems but framed them partly as a product of aggressive defensive play.
The defense recorded one interception Dillingham called "unbelievable" early in the scrimmage, but he wanted more takeaways overall. Still, the unit largely kept big plays in check until the offense broke through late.
Which special teams and injury updates matter most?
Placekickers Carson Smith and Carston Kieffer each drilled 52-yard field goals; Smith also converted a 38-yarder late. Floyd and McLarty combined for five punts between 42 and 50 yards, all landing inside the 20, with Floyd showing strong hang time. Wide receiver Jaren Hamilton handled primary return duties.
Pringle, a transfer from Arkansas, will miss the season after sustaining a core injury at Camp Tontozona. Gardner is out after Achilles surgery. Anderson was dressed but limited; Dillingham said he could be game-ready between weeks one and three, per 247Sports. Dillingham moved defensive end Clayton Smith to tight end to spark competition after disappointing effort earlier in the week.
Where can fans follow Sun Devils preseason analysis?
On3's DevilsDigest TV published a T-14-to-kickoff snapshot breaking down Saturday's scrimmage and its season implications. Video and written reports from outlets including The Arizona Republic remain the best way to track roster battles before Morgan State visits on Sept. 5.