Arizona State’s quarterback situation took another sharp turn in Lubbock, where Kenny Dillingham and his staff made the move to Mikey Keene for the second half against No. 10 Texas Tech.
The change came after a brutal opening half for Cutter Boley in a 43-10 game. Boley’s first pass was picked off and turned into a pick-six, putting Texas Tech ahead 7-0 in the first quarter. That set the tone for what followed.
Boley threw another interception in the second quarter, and the Red Raiders kept pushing the margin to 40-10 before adding a field goal. By halftime, the Sun Devils had already been put in a deep hole, and Boley’s stat line reflected the struggle: 5 of 10 for 124 yards, two interceptions and one touchdown.
Keene wasted little time giving Arizona State a different look. On his first drive, the transfer quarterback went 6 of 8 for 58 yards and a touchdown, and he already had more completions than Boley managed over the first two quarters.
The quarterback switch was only part of a bigger problem for Arizona State. The defense has been under heavy pressure again, just as it was in the home loss to Baylor.
Through one half in Lubbock, the Sun Devils had given up 404 yards. Texas Tech averaged 10.9 yards per pass and 8.9 yards per rush in the opening two quarters.
The larger trend has been ugly, too. Over their last six quarters of Big 12 play, Arizona State has been outscored 98-29.
Dillingham had already shifted responsibilities once, giving up playcalling after the Baylor loss so he could concentrate on the defense. Two weeks later, the Sun Devils are still searching for answers after another rough showing on that side of the ball.
Now the question turns back to the offense. Keene is the current QB2, and whatever he does in garbage time could shape where the staff goes next.
Another option is Jake Fette, the freshman who drew attention when he signed with the Sun Devils. Whether Dillingham is willing to turn to him in the middle of the season is another question entirely.
Arizona State is scheduled to return home next week to face Kansas State, and the quarterback conversation is likely to dominate the days leading up to the Week 8 kickoff in Tempe.