Welcome to Sun Devil Debrief, your weekly update of everything in the world of ASU athletics.
Football opens with a bang
By Eric Pacheco
ASU football couldn't have asked for a better way to start the 2026 season in its victory over Morgan State.
Junior quarterback Cutter Boley led the way in the 70-7 victory and set a record for most passing yards in an ASU debut, notching 387 yards in the air with six touchdowns, earning himself the honor of a Big 12 player of the week.
In total, eight different Sun Devils found the end zone in the game. The most notable of the weapons in Boley's arsenal were transfer wide receivers Omarion Miller and Reed Harris, who posted 102 and 137 yards in the air, respectively. Sophomore running back Grayson Rigdon saw extended action for the first time in his collegiate career, posting 110 yards and two touchdowns.
The Sun Devil defense appeared just about flawless, holding Morgan State to 188 yards.
ASU looks ahead to a daunting matchup in College Station Sept. 12, taking on No. 8 Texas A&M at Kyle Field.
READ MORE: ASU football steamrolls past Morgan State to open 2026 season
Soccer struggles with tough opponents
By Jakob Arnarsson
Coach Graham Winkworth's squad experienced their most difficult stretch of the season this past week.
It began with a short trip to Tucson Thursday to face last year's Ivy League Champions, Dartmouth. They proved to be a difficult opponent, converting a penalty to end the first half. ASU responded by mounting the pressure in the second, scoring an equalizer in the final minute behind junior forward Kierra Blundell.
Then, the Sun Devils faced their greatest challenge as they hosted No. 9 UNC, one of the most prestigious programs in the country. Despite ASU's best effort, UNC's quality in possession proved to be enough, as they earned and scored a penalty late in the first half. That was the only goal in the tight, defensive battle.
The Sun Devils now look to finish off their non-conference season with a Senior Night matchup against Grambling State on Sept. 11. Then, a home game against Utah begins their Big 12 journey.
Volleyball boosted by three wins
By Mason Seal
ASU's No. 7 ranked volleyball team traveled to New York and participated in the Colgate Volleyball Classic from Sept. 3-5. The Sun Devils swept all three contests against Colgate, Princeton and Villanova, boosting the Sun Devils to 5-1 in the season.
Junior outside hitter Una Vajagić continued to show why she was one of the best players from the transfer portal, leading ASU with 14 kills in the first game against Colgate. Paired with senior opposite Noemie Glover, who had 12 kills against Princeton and nine against Villanova, the Sun Devil offense was firing on all cylinders. Freshman setter Elle Mottola flashed her offensive abilities, leading ASU in assists with 26, 28 and 13 respectively.
ASU has been nearly perfect in 2026 outside of a loss to No. 20 USC. The Sun Devils will return home to host the Snyder-Park Classic from Sept. 10-12.
Coaches extend contracts and pick up recruits
By Alex Swift
ASU made two big decisions on its coaching staffs. After making the NCAA Tournament in her first season in Tempe, Molly Miller signed a contract extension through 2031, confirming the women's basketball head coach for the long-term.
Miller was not the only coach to sign an extension through 2031. Megan Bartlett, who brought ASU softball to a Big 12 title in 2026, also signed a contract extension of the same length.
In the world of men's basketball, head coach Randy Bennett picked up two high-ranked commitments from four-star Carson Crawford and Howard Williams. Crawford, from Florida, and Williams, from Texas, both announced their commitments on social media. Crawford is ranked as the No. 69 player and No. 16 small forward on 247Sports, while Williams is the No. 53 player and No. 9 power forward. The two are the first commitments from the class of 2027 Bennett picked up.
Edited by Alex Swift, Char O'Neil, Carsten Oyer and Senna James.
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