Arizona State redshirt senior linebacker Caleb McCullough was given the starting role, while junior linebacker Keyshaun Elliott was suspended for the first half for a targeting penalty against Kansas last week. It’s safe to say McCullough didn’t miss his chance.

McCullough grabbed two interceptions from Rising, including the game-winning pick late in the fourth quarter. He also led the team with 12 tackles.

“This was a guy who was here despite the whole mess,” Dillingham said after the game. “He was here when all the bad things happened.

Sun Devils sophomore Keith Abney II chipped in with an interception of his own. Abney and McCullough’s turnovers were just highlights of an overall outstanding defensive night that saw the Utes total 140 rushing yards and 209 passing yards, allowing just one touchdown – all well below Utah’s season average.

The fight between Bernard and Skatteboo does not disappoint

Both teams hit the ball on the ground with their talented running backs – and it lived up to the hype. Utah senior Micah Bernard and Skattebo brought very different running styles to the game, but produced similarly effective results.

Skattebo easily eclipsed the 100-yard mark — he finished the night with 158 yards on 22 carries — and wore down Utah’s defense before scoring runs of 50 and 47 yards in the third and fourth quarters.

Bernard, on the other hand, made electrifying plays left and right for an offense that didn’t help much. While Rising struggled in the passing game, Bernard was the lifeline for Utah’s offense in the first half. He was responsible for nearly half of the quarterback’s completions but received only limited, sporadic touches.

Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham changed the game plan in the second half and relied more on his talented senior – and it paid off. Despite the adjustment that resulted in a 129-yard, 21-run night — including a 6-yard touchdown in the third quarter to regain a short-lived lead — it was an adjustment made about a quarter too late.

Rising’s ongoing injury history is a concern

The climb appeared to have been hampered by a clumsy tackle in the Utes’ opening tackle of the game, which appeared to affect the use of his right leg. The super-super senior completed just 16 of 37 passes (43.2%) for 209 yards and added insult to injury with his three interceptions.

While the injury in question was not the cause of him being sidelined in the previous three games, it does bring a lingering awareness that he has been sidelined for a long time.

Sun Devils use both transfer portal QBs

While it wasn’t intentional — and definitely more of a scare than an accomplishment — the brief injury to ASU redshirt quarterback Sam Leavitt gave another transfer QB a chance.

Senior Jeff Sims hit a two-yard sprinter in the second quarter to give the Sun Devils their first lead. A well-traveled veteran, this marked the third FBS team Sims has suited up for, after stints at Georgia Tech and Nebraska before landing in Tempe in May. It was short-lived, but Dillingham showed he’s prepared if his QB1 goes down.

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