Kenny Dillingham on Arizona State’s Preparation for Utah and Raleek Brown’s Injury

Arizona State Sun Devils football head coach Kenny Dillingham is gearing up for a crucial Big 12 matchup against No. 16 Utah, despite several challenges facing his team. One of the key concerns is the injury status of running back Raleek Brown, who has reaggravated a hamstring injury and will not play in the upcoming game against Utah.

Brown, a transfer from USC, made his debut for Arizona State in Week 3 but has been limited by his hamstring ailment. After a promising return last week where he carried seven times for 41 yards and had two catches for four yards, Brown felt the reaggravation of his injury during the game-winning drive against Kansas. Coach Dillingham emphasized that it would be a disservice to play Brown when he is not fully healthy, given the importance of his top-end speed to his game.

Aside from the injury concerns, Dillingham also expressed worries about the scheduling, noting the difficulty of playing on a short week while Utah comes off a bye. This scheduling challenge adds to the complexity of preparing for a well-rested and potentially well-prepared Utah team.

The game against Utah is set to be a pivotal clash, with both teams entering with identical 4-1 records. Utah is looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss to Arizona, while Arizona State is riding the momentum of a thrilling victory over Kansas. Dillingham’s focus on keeping his team fresh and addressing the strengths and weaknesses of both teams will be crucial in determining the outcome of this matchup).