Sun Devils Scrimmage: Defense Dominates, QB Battle Rages Ahead of Season Opener
Arizona State's final major fall camp scrimmage on August 23, 2026, saw a dominant defensive performance and explosive offensive flashes, intensifying the quarterback competition heading into the season.
The short version
- The Arizona State Sun Devils held their final major fall camp scrimmage on August 23, 2026, at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona.
- ASU's defense recorded six sacks and an early interception, with standout performances from Emar'rion Winston, Joshua Shanklin, and Lyrik Rawls.
- Quarterbacks Cutter Boley, Mikey Keene, and Jack Fette each threw touchdown passes, while running backs Cardae Mack, Grayson Rigdon, and Jason Brown showed strong runs.
- Senior defensive lineman MyKeil Gardner and sophomore cornerback Nigel Pringle will miss the 2026 season due to season-ending injuries.
- The scrimmage marked the last significant evaluation for Head Coach Kenny Dillingham before naming a starting quarterback for the September 5 season opener against Morgan State.
The Arizona State Sun Devils wrapped up their fall camp with a hard-hitting, 90-minute scrimmage at Mountain America Stadium on Saturday, August 23, 2026. While the offense showcased some explosive plays and a strong late-game ground attack, it was the defense that largely set the tone, creating pressure and forcing turnovers, according to reports from azcentral.com, 247 Sports, and DevilsDigest.com. The performance provided Head Coach Kenny Dillingham and his staff a final critical look before the looming season opener and a decision on the starting quarterback.
What happened at the August 23rd scrimmage?
The Sun Devils' scrimmage was a back-and-forth affair in helmets and shoulder pads, highlighted by big defensive stops and a mix of aerial and ground-game success from the offense. 247 Sports' series-by-series recap detailed the action, noting the defense's early dominance and the offense's ability to mount drives. Pass protection was identified as an area needing improvement. The team displayed explosive plays but struggled in the red zone, settling for field goals on all four attempts after failing to score touchdowns, DevilsDigest.com reported.
Who stood out offensively?
The quarterback competition continued to heat up with multiple signal-callers finding success. Junior Cutter Boley connected with senior wideout Reed Harris for a touchdown and led a strong drive. Fifth-year Mikey Keene threw a precise strike to sophomore Cory Butler Jr. for a score, also showing an ability to step up and chuck the ball long. Freshman Jack Fette delivered a "laser" to sophomore Uriah Neloms for another touchdown. Freshman Cardae Mack had several strong runs, while Grayson Rigdon bowled over a defender for a 15-yard gain and caught a deep touchdown pass. Fifth-year Marquis Gillis and Jason Brown also contributed physical runs. Kicker Carston Kieffer drilled a 52-yard field goal, showcasing his range.
How did the defense perform?
The defense proved to be the day's dominant force, recording six total sacks and an early,
Frequently asked questions
When do the Arizona State Sun Devils begin their 2026 season?
The Arizona State Sun Devils are scheduled to kick off their 2026 college football season on September 5, 2026, when they will face Morgan State.
Who is currently in the running for the starting quarterback position?
The fierce quarterback competition for the starting role involves junior Cutter Boley, fifth-year Mikey Keene, sophomore Cam Dyer, and freshman Jack Fette. A starter is expected to be named before the season opener.
Reported by the RevReck Newsroom from the reporting linked below, with AI assistance in drafting, under editorial rules covering accuracy, attribution and what we will not publish. Read our editorial standards, or email corrections to operations@revreck.com.