EL PASO, Texas – College football is in a state of perpetual change. And with it comes a trend of devaluing bowl season.
Three bowl-eligible teams – Notre Dame, Kansas State, and Iowa State – opted out of competing in the postseason, and a handful of 5-7 ones did the same, along with numerous players.
Yet as tears flowed and seniors shared emotional final embraces on the Arizona State sideline at the 92nd edition of the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl on Wednesday, a game between two eight-win football teams carried a sentiment of importance.
Despite fielding an inexperienced squad due to injuries and bowl game opt-outs, ASU didn’t roll over. Instead, it went to the wire with a Duke team that retained most of its starters from a squad that hoisted an ACC Championship trophy weeks ago.
The teams combined for 81 points, 52 of which came in the first half – the most first-half points in Sun Bowl history. Ultimately, the Blue Devils prevailed, claiming a 42-39 victory in a back-and-forth shootout, but ASU coach Kenny Dillingham felt the bowl game highlighted the resilience and strong culture his program has built over the past few years.
“We were right there versus the team that won their (conference) championship,” Dillingham said. “They had most of their guys playing. They had one of the best quarterbacks in college football playing over there, and he’s a really good player, and we stood toe-to-toe with him. … It shows you that it doesn’t matter who takes the field for this football team. They’re going to fight, scratch, and claw.”
The seniors who did play, including linebacker Jordan Crook – who suited up despite declaring for the NFL draft – relished the opportunity to take the field one last time with his teammates.
“This means the world to me,” Crook said. “Coach Coop (linebackers coach A.J. Cooper), my teammates and everybody around me taking a chance on me and allowing me to be me these last two years … it means the most.”
Sixth-year quarterback Jeff Sims took advantage of his final chance to shine on a national stage, posting a career high in passing yards (375) and five total touchdowns in his last collegiate appearance.
Still, a poker-faced Sims sat silently in ASU’s postgame press conference, reflecting on his late interception with less than two minutes to go, which dashed the Sun Devils’ chances and ended his six-year run in the college ranks.
“When the time came for me to play, I didn’t,” Sims said. “That’s probably going to be the only thing I’m thinking about. It’s cool to have the touchdowns and all of that, but we didn’t win. We were in a position, and we didn’t get it done.”
Outside of the final result, the bowl game allowed Arizona State to give some of its underclassmen and depth pieces more playing time. ASU capitalized on the opportunity.
“Everybody’s programs are in a different spot, everybody’s players are in a different spot,” Dillingham said Tuesday about bowl game opt-outs. “So I think it’s a changing time. … We got a lot of reps to get better. We use this like a mini spring ball in a lot of ways, to try to gain eight extra practices with some of the younger guys. So I think that was a benefit for us … we got a lot of extra reps here when we were at home.”
With an increased snap count, freshman running backs Jason Brown Jr. and Demarius Robinson took control of the Sun Devils’ backfield, leading an ASU rushing attack that gashed the Blue Devils’ defense. Brown totaled 120 yards on 10 carries, while Robinson amassed 147 scrimmage yards.
Their unit had to keep up with a dynamic Duke offense, as Arizona State’s secondary, mostly comprised of players with limited snaps this season, struggled to stop the Blue Devils’ high-flying passing game.
Within the first six minutes of play, Duke sophomore quarterback Darian Mensah passed for 124 yards and two touchdowns. He connected with sophomore wide receiver Que’Sean Brown for two passes of greater than 45 yards
Although the inexperienced group of defensive backs eventually settled in, it couldn’t help ASU slow Mensah, who finished with 327 yards and four touchdowns, earning the designation of Most Valuable Player of the Sun Bowl after leading a late go-ahead score for the Blue Devils.
“To get these guys on the field that haven’t really played, and not just play a team, play a team that just won a championship, and be in a position to win makes it hurt more,” Dillingham said.
With the defeat, the Sun Devils fall to 8-5 on the season. However, after a promising showing from their young players in the Sun Bowl, Dillingham remains excited about the future.
“There are no moral victories, but there is a bright future here, and it’s because of these seniors,” Dillingham said. “It’s because of the guys that have been here (and) the guys that have laid the foundation for future success.
“I think today was a glimpse into that future success.”
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