EL PASO — Arizona State arrived in El Paso on Saturday ahead of this year’s Sun Bowl and wasted little time getting to work.
The Sun Devils were welcomed by the local community with folklórico dancers and mariachi music as they stepped off the plane. Head coach Kenny Dillingham was even presented with a maroon-and-gold mariachi hat as a symbol of the warm reception.
The celebration, however, was brief.
ASU put on shoulder pads and returned to business the following day as it prepares for its eighth appearance in the December showcase, owning a 4-2-1 record. The Sun Devils will face ACC champion Duke in the postseason matchup.
Despite more than 30 players expected to miss the game, Dillingham said the approach remains unchanged.
“It’s part of it,” Dillingham said, according to Sun Devil Source. “That’s the nature of it. Like I told our guys, we’ve got to go compete and do whatever we can to scratch, claw and try to win a football game.”
While the Sun Bowl does not carry College Football Playoff implications, Arizona State is intent on closing the season on a high note. The program has drawn attention in recent weeks amid speculation surrounding Dillingham’s future and questions at the quarterback position after reports indicated Sam Leavitt would enter the transfer portal.
Now, the focus has narrowed.
The Sun Devils enter the game with one objective: win one more time this season against an ACC champion.
Dillingham’s insistence on maintaining competitiveness underscores the importance he places on finishing seasons the right way and treating every opportunity to play as a chance to win. The approach reflects the changes the Sun Devils’ head coach has made during his short time in Tempe and how the Valley has embraced it.
With history and preparedness on its side, Arizona State aims to reinforce what it wants to become: a program ready for any challenge, regardless of the situation.
The Sun Devils and the Blue Devils will face off on New Year’s Eve on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at 12 p.m. MST.