Kenny Dillingham continues to be plagued with serious injuries this season, further complicating his difficult run this year. He’s got a big matchup against Texas Tech, who might end up dethroning ASU as Big 12 Champions this year. Arizona State will now be missing three important players, 2 being out with season-ending injuries.

Dillingham updated the statuses of LB Zyrus Fiaseu, DB Xavion Alford, and C Ben Coleman. Fiaseu, one of the key linebackers in the depth chart, is out for the season. Joining him is Ben Coleman, one of ASU’s best O-linemen who had just moved back to LG. Alford, who has been out since fall camp, will continue to be out for the majority of the season. Dillingham was still hopeful about Alford’s return sometime in the latter part of the season.

All three served important roles in the depth charts. Fiaseu was among the most underrated ASU players in the defense, being slated for development after a promising debut last year. The LB impressed fans and staff after recording an interception in his very first game for Arizona State. It came soon after the clock started for the Wyoming game. Fiaseu also built a reputation for himself at San Diego State, coming to Tempe with 5.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles. Fiaseu last played in the Baylor game. He can still choose to medically redshirt.

Xavion Alford’s absence is a huge blow to the Sun Devils defense. He has suffered from injuries for the greater part of his career, sitting out the enitrety of the 2023 season. In 2024, he managed to last the whole schedule, and earned Big 12 honors for his brilliant show of skill. He was going to enter the 2025 season with 85 total tackles, 5 pass deflections and 2 picks. His absence pushed the newer talents of Adrian ‘Boogie’ Wilson, and Myles Rowser. Against Utah, the safeties room looked a little bleak as both struggled with injuries, leaving the game at times. The defense lacking Alford and Fiaseu is a huge problem for Dillingham, as he gears up for Texas Tech.

Ben Coleman is an anchor of that offensive line. He entered the season with 368 career snaps. Coleman was a standout figure this season as well, as the O-line continued to develop throughout the season. He held down the fort at center until the Utah game, where he was rotated to the left guard. Dillingham had said earlier that it was “harder to move guys in and out of center than it is in and out of guard.” He took the risk with Coleman, who left in the first half. Coleman has no years of eligibility remaining, bringing a career spanning 7 years to an end.

Kenny Dillingham is facing a constant trouble with injuries this year. His biggest concern right now should be Sam Leavitt, whose absence due to injury might have costed him the Utah game.

Kenny Dillingham provides update on Sam Leavitt

Jeff Sims is good, but Dillingham needs the best to face Texas Tech. Sam Leavitt’s success is inherently linked with that of ASU’s this season. But the HC isn’t rushing things just because he wants his star QB back. He was declared to be on a day-to-day basis by Dillingham ahead of the big game. “We’ll evaluate Sunday, Monday and then see what happens (at practice) on Tuesday and Wednesday, then make a decision from there,” he told the press.

The Utah front seven choked Arizona State’s offense, and it’ll face a better one in the Red Raiders. Sam Leavitt needs to be back simple because of how high the stakes here. The QB is a through-and-through leader in the locker room, and in the field as well. The Texas Tech game will also determine the future of ASU in the conference standings. Leavitt’s absence will also push playoff hopes down the drain if he it extends. The QB’s troubles with injury seems to have grown rapidly, over the course of days. He was listed probable on Wednesday, doubtful on Thursday, and got ruled out on Friday.

Arizona State taking hits at important positions ahead of such a big game spells trouble for Kenny Dillingham. This is a ranked team and a probable playoff squad as well – labels that ASU carried last season. Not having the full manpower already costed him the Utah game. Next week, the risk factor gets bigger for Dillingham.