Arizona State University’s football team overcame a chaotic travel schedule to secure a 26-13 win against the University of Central Florida Knights in Orlando on Saturday. The game, originally set for 3:30 p.m. ET, was pushed back two hours after the Federal Aviation Administration grounded flights nationwide on Friday.
Travel hurdles and a delayed start
While several programs opted to cancel flights and travel by bus, the Sun Devils chose to fly from Tempe to Orlando. After a 6 a.m. departure on Saturday, the team arrived in time to play, but the kickoff was delayed to accommodate the late arrival.
Coach Dillingham’s message
Following the win, head coach Kenny Dillingham addressed the media, delivering a blunt reminder about accountability. “Excuses are like buttholes; everybody has them, and they all stink,” he said. “At the end of the day you’re going to take the field for 60 minutes and play a football game. You’re either going to get it done or you’re not. Nobody’s going to care what the circumstance was, because nobody cares about circumstances; they care about results.”
Game highlights
The Sun Devils improved to 6‑4 on the season, snapping a three‑game road losing streak that included defeats at Texas A&M, Texas Tech and BYU. Arizona State’s defense limited UCF to just 54 rushing yards, a key factor in the victory. Offensively, the team capitalized on early scoring opportunities and maintained control throughout the second half.
Impact on the season
The win marks Arizona State’s first road victory of the year and provides momentum as the team looks to finish the regular season strong. The Sun Devils will next host a conference opponent, aiming to build on the resilience shown in Orlando.
Community perspective
Fans in Tempe praised the team’s perseverance, noting that the ability to overcome logistical challenges reflects the program’s character and work ethic—values that resonate with the local community and its support for traditional family and faith‑centered institutions.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
