Kyler Murray
For Arizona football fans, this life has not been an existence that has been flush with success. It has been a full decade since both the Arizona State Sun Devils and Arizona Cardinals have exited the regular season with a winning record, an outcome that statistically speaking is quite unlikely. It seems as though the tide might finally be turning in a serious way in 2024.
We have previously covered the comeback of Arizona State football under Coach Dillingham, as the young coach has injected an enthusiasm and spark that hasn’t been seen in a while into a team that had been reeling with controversy and sanctions. 2024 has been a revelation within their new conference home in the Big 12, and this past Saturday represented their biggest regular season game in memory as they faced off against conference-leading BYU.
For anyone who was there, they bore witness to an electric atmosphere that had been missing in Tempe for a while. After putting up a big lead, they contributed some drama by letting BYU creep back into it, and with some unfortunate time management towards the end appeared to have run down the clock to zero to secure the massive upset, with fans streaming on the field and the goal posts being pulled down in rational exuberance. However, the buzz was killed by the referees and one second put back on the clock, giving BYU one more chance to win the game.
After the fans were cleared, BYU lobbed up a Hail Mary that came only a few yards short of turning into the sort of generational ending to only be surpassed by the Cal “the band is on the field!” game of 1980. Instead, ASU finished the upset of the BYU Cougars, and now they are on top of the Big 12. The team that has not had a winning record since 2019 now has a very real chance of competing in the Big 12 championship.
The Arizona Cardinals are not to be outdone however. While few gave them a chance of being competitive this year, with a sieve of a defense that was expected to be bottom tier, they have outperformed nearly everyone’s expectations. It has helped that the NFC West has been a complete disappointment this year, with perennial contenders San Francisco dealing with a rash of injuries, but the Cardinals have seized the opportunity and at the time of writing sit alone at the top of the division.
The defense that was supposed to be a serious weakness has been anything but, and has allowed fewer points than anyone else in the division. Quarterback Kyler Murray has shown maturity and has gelled well with new receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. The team seems disciplined, well-coached, and in perhaps the biggest new development, they seem legitimately excited. They are currently in line to get the 3rd playoff spot in the NFC. The vibes are very real.
Are we entering a new chapter in Arizona football? One season does not make a trend, but it feels as though there is a legitimate shift in culture with both teams. Arizona State has a new coach with an infectious enthusiasm that will undoubtedly help with recruiting, and a young Cardinals team has found a recipe for success in what most considered to be a rebuilding season. There is real hope not just for this year but for the future.
EDITOR’S NOTE: this was written early on Sunday. Sunday’s game against the Seahawks offered a slightly less rosy view. That said, going to Seattle and playing in front of the 12th man there is never an easy out. Our Cardinals are still well positioned to win the division, and for that we are grateful!