TEMPE – It’s a new season with new expectations for Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham and his Sun Devils, as he enters his fourth season at the Sun Devil helm following a substantial roster turnover.
For Dillingham and Co., the first chapter of its 2026 campaign will begin Saturday, Sept. 5, at 7 p.m. PST, when ASU hosts its first-ever HBCU opponent in the Morgan State Bears (1-0). The contest marks the first time since the Division I split in 1978 that Arizona State will face an FCS opponent outside of the Big Sky Conference.
Kentucky transfer Cutter Boley got the starting nod at quarterback exactly a week out from the Sun Devils Week 1 home matchup. Boley played 12 games for the Wildcats in 2025, where he tallied 2,160 yards, 15 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. His season closer against Louisville was one to forget, where he paired a 50% completion rating with two interceptions and no touchdowns.
On the opposite side of the coin, Morgan State comes to Tempe with a 17-7 comeback win against North Carolina A&T already under its belt. Bears senior quarterback Cameron Edge made his debut for Morgan last week, tossing for 167 yards, one touchdown and an interception.
Meanwhile, it was senior running back Jordan Barnett, who carried the flame in the ground game, averaging 9.5 yards per carry against the Aggies a week ago.
Barnett will provide the first test for Dillingham’s retooled defense, a unit he said he’s noticed has more depth and size than years past.
“I feel like it’s the most depth and the most size we’ve had on our defense,” Dillingham said. “Whether it’s in the back end, (with) just total length, and whether it’s up front with total weight and size.
“Hopefully we can stop the run. I think every good defense starts with stopping the run, and if you can stop the run with less people, you get to cover with more.”
The Sun Devil backfield must be accounted for as well. While senior Kyson Brown is listed at the top of the depth chart, Dillingham stated that the halfback room is filled with talent that will split carries fairly even to begin the season.
“It’s very hard to find players that are so dominant that defenses have to plan around,” Dillingham said. “So, if you can’t, then your ability to do multiple things is your X-factor.”
Arizona State rides into Week 1 with two preseason Big 12 selections: senior transfer wide receiver Omarion Miller as well as longtime Sun Devil C.J. Fite.
“He’s critical for us,” Dillingham said of Fite. “To see his growth as a player, as a human, as a leader has been awesome, and I think the team has taken on a little of his identity.”
Both sides of the trenches have been a carousel of uncertainty throughout Arizona State’s offseason. No starters from last season’s offensive line will return, and two recurring season-ending defensive injuries occurred before regular season play.
Dillingham called on students to continue the “Activate the Valley” campaign and to make Mountain America Stadium “rocking.” A new student attendance record of 14,280 was achieved during last season’s home opener against Northern Arizona, with full intention in the Valley to repeat or make history.
Even with SEC experience, Saturday will prove vital to see how quickly Boley can establish confidence in Tempe. And, for Dillingham, it’ll be his first chance to catch an in-game look at a new Arizona State Sun Devils squad.
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