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Dec 04ย โขย 4 min read
How ASU Can Win Without Jordyn Tyson
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โ ๐ GOOD MORNING Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 -- It just seems to keep getting better and better for Arizona State athletics. The ASU women's volleyball team officially earned the most Big 12 awards, as coach J.J. Van Niel was named Big 12 Coach of the Year, Mary Shroll was named Big 12 Libero of the Year and Argentina Ung was named Big 12 Setter of the Year. Geli Cyr, Claire Jeter, Shroll and Ung were also named to the All-Big 12 First Team, while Savannah Kjolhede earned an All-Big 12 Second Team nod. Holy moly. The accolades come as the 2024 Big 12 champions prepare for their NCAA First Round matchup on Friday against New Hampshire at Desert Financial Arena. With any luck, it will kick off one of the most memorable sports weekends in school history. On to the show! How ASU Can Win Without Jordyn TysonThe loss of star wideout Jordyn Tyson stings, but it's certainly not the end-all for the Sun Devils. They still have Cam Skattebo, after all. Kenny Dillingham confirmed Monday that its leading receiver is "out indefinitely" after suffering an injury against the Arizona Wildcats last Saturday. It's a tough blow for the Sun Devils, as no other receiver on the team is anywhere near his 1,101 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, but it's hardly the kiss of death heading into the Big 12 Championship Game. The game is likely going to be won or lost on the ground, and Arizona State holds a massive advantage in that category. โฑ๏ธ BECOME A DIEHARD TODAY!
Skattebo, Sun Devils to Test Iowa State's Rush DefenseThe Cyclones typically defend well against the rush, but it's been a much different story this season. Iowa State ranks 14th in the conference against the run, allowing 173.7 yards per game on the ground. Skattebo, meanwhile, has rushed for 1,398 yards and 17 touchdowns, giving the Sun Devils an opportunity to exploit a weak spot on the opposition. "Time to move some people around, time to get more people on the field and create, probably, a little more balance offensively," Dillingham said. "Like always, we've got to be able to run the ball to have good play action." Skattebo, perhaps unsurprisingly, also has the second-most receiving yards (468) on the team, so don't be surprised to continually be the check-down option for quarterback Sam Leavitt. That said, the Sun Devils most definitely need more from receiver Xavier Guillory (291 yards, 3 touchdowns) and tight end Chamon Metayer (285 yards, 5 touchdowns) to keep the Cyclones honest on defense. "What definitely makes it more difficult, is obviously [Tyson] demands two people cover him," Dillingham said. "If people don't have to demand two people, then they can load the box, so you have to find more creative ways to win those one-on-one matchups." Dillingham Heaps Praise On ISU Coach Matt CampbellIn just two seasons as head coach Dillingham has already earned a reputation as a genuine, talented coach who connects with his players while also commanding respect from them. The team's remarkable turnaround this season is clear evidence of that. It's essentially a mirror image of what he saw in Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell. In fact, during his time at Auburn, Dillingham visited Ames, and he walked away truly impressed from what he witnessed, both personally and professionally, at Iowa State. โ "His culture and his realness, I think he's one of the most real people in the sport," Dillingham said of Campbell. You see the passion and emotion on the sideline. You see it, it's not fake, it's real." The Sun Devils coach has a clear connection to his players both on-and-off the field, and it's a huge reason why they're 10-2 with a chance at the College Football Playoff just one season removed from a 3-9 record. No matter what happens on Saturday, it's pretty hard to argue with the results on the field, and Dillingham has sparked optimism in the desert that hasn't been seen in a very long time. Editor's note: Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up for the FREE PHNX Daily here, and don't miss out on free, exclusive content about The Valley's top sports stories every morning! ๐๏ธ ABOUT LAST NIGHT... โฝ CIRCLE K CIRCLING BACK ๐ฌ THAT'S WHAT THEY SAID
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The PHNX Daily brings you the top sports stories in Arizona every day, delivered right to your inbox! Follow along with all of your beloved AZ sports teams as we bring unique, free content featuring your favorite players, coaches and personalities from throughout the state's sports scene. You can also catch up on the most recent stories from your favorite PHNX writers, check out the most recent podcast from our vast offering of shows, and find all the information needed to see which of your teams are playing on any given day, what time they start, and where you can watch or listen to them. It's all free, delivered to you bright and early each and every morning!