Arizona State fans stormed the field after the Sun Devils avenged a 55-3 mauling by Utah State last year.
No.17-ranked Utah State was a huge favorite going into the game at Mountain America Stadium.
Dillingham was fired up in his ESPN interviewESPN
But the Sun Devils defense made life hell for quarterback Cam Rising all night, finishing with three picks.
And running back Cameron Skattebo rushed for two breakaway scores in the second half of a 27-19 victory.
The win sparked wild celebrations in Tempe and coach Kenny Dillingham – an Arizona alum – was swallowed up by the raucous mob while speaking to ESPN about Skattebo.
“His mindset. he’s got a dog mentality. This team fights, and they fight, and they fight. That’s who you need to talk to right now,” the hometown hero said.
“We fought man. We competed. That’s what football’s about, competing.”
“It’s crazy, I was one of these guys, I was doing this,” Dillingham yelled as he started bouncing up and down with a huge grin on his face.
He was swarmed by fans as the brilliant interview concluded in style.
The Sun Devils are 2-1 in the Big 12 and 5-1 overall having been tipped to finish dead last after going 3-9 last season.
Utah moved to 4-2 overall.
Skattebo had 47 and 50-yard touchdown runs during the game.
Joyful students interrupted the interviewESPN
The 22-year-old finished with 22 carries for 158 yards and two scores on the ground, as well as four catches for 41 yards.
Speaking ahead of the season, Dillingham predicted that Skattebo had turned himself into an NFL-level prospect.
“He’s a different person mentally in terms of how focused he is and how driven he is this year,” he told Arizona Sports.
“That’s a guy, he had a great year last year but he’s a different player.
“This Cam has the potential to play on Sundays. Last year’s Cam did not.
“That’s how drastic of a change he made, his decision that he wanted to achieve being a Sunday player.”
Last night’s performance may just have moved Skattebo up a few NFL Draft boards.
The Sun Devils take on the Cincinnati Bearcats on Sunday, with the Utes going up against the TCU Horned Frogs.
The NFL is back in London this weekend and talkSPORT 2 will be live at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium bringing you exclusive commentary of the Jacksonville Jaguars up against the Chicago Bears!
All the build up and exclusive interviews from 2pm on Sunday ahead of Kick Off with the former Pittsburgh Steelers Tight End Christian Scotland-Williamson part of our commentary team. You will also be able to see the team if you head to our ‘talkSPORT Endzone Youtube Channel’ as they will be hosting a live watchalong from the stadium with plenty of extra content! That’s the Jacksonville Jaguars vs the Chicago Bears live over on talkSPORT 2 this Sunday Afternoon from 2pm!
You can listen to talkSPORT 2 on your DAB, via the talkSPORT App or simply ask your smart speaker to play talkSPORT 2!
