After three games that saw Arizona State (2-2, 1-1 Big 12) come away 2-1 to start the season, optimism in Tempe was high heading into its conference-play home opener. 

Baylor loomed on the schedule, as did a chance to prove that the Sun Devils were a team to watch in the Big 12. 

Not only did the chance quickly vanish, but ASU was dismantled 55-19, handing head coach Kenny Dillingham’s squad its worst home loss to an unranked opponent in three years. 

Now, with a 2-2 record and the Sun Devils' last nonconference game approaching, junior quarterback Cutter Boley knows it's now or never, but he remains confident that last Saturday was just a bump in the road. 

“We’re so close,” Boley said. “Not a person on this team has lost a touch of confidence.” 

Playing with confidence will be key to a bounce-back performance, as ASU hosts Hawaii (1-4, 0-3 MW) on Saturday, Oct. 10, at Mountain America Stadium. While Boley continued to show his team praise heading into the matchup, Dillingham expressed similar confidence. 

“You’re going to see significant improvement,” Dillingham said, repeating it twice to a reporter at his weekly press conference late Monday morning. 

Dillingham had been blunt following ASU’s loss on Saturday, saying he was “letting his team down.” 

Just days after that quote, Dillingham and his staff decided to swap offensive play-calling duties, moving them from himself to offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo, who called the shots on offense for his first two seasons in Tempe, including the Sun Devils' Big 12 championship season in 2024. 

“We’ve got a very close relationship,” Arroyo said. “When the head coach says he needs something, you fall in line.” 

Arroyo looks to right the ship and rejuvenize an offense averaging just 21 points per game over the last three contests, a dip from the 70 points ASU scored in its season opener. 

One of the main differences between the matchup with Morgan State and the Sun Devils' last three games is the play of Boley, who has thrown for only four touchdowns and three interceptions since his six-touchdown performance in his ASU debut.

While Boley looks to find his Week 1 form, Dillingham has seen his quarterback make a jump in practice. 

“He’s really taken a big step these last two days,” Dillingham said. “I feel like I can really feel his presence on the field.” 

Boley will have to continue making his presence felt against a Rainbow Warriors defense that has only allowed four touchdowns through the air this season, tied for second in the Mountain West. 

Luckily for Boley, Hawaii has yet to face a receiving duo quite like his, as fellow senior wide receivers Omarion Miller and Reed Harris continue to put up big numbers. 

The duo has combined for over 200 yards receiving in three of four games this season and have accounted for seven of Boley’s 10 passing touchdowns. 

Dillingham called Harris one of the best receivers in college football and, alongside Miller, looks to continue their strong start against a stingy secondary. 

However, Hawaii’s rushing defense paints a different story. 

The unit has given up 10 touchdowns on the ground, tied for last in the Mountain West and a weakness Dillingham will look to exploit. 

“We got to run the ball better,” Dillingham said following the loss to Baylor. 

While there has been a conscious effort to get more running backs involved in the offense, with five different backs recording a carry against Baylor, senior Kyson Brown will look to build on a strong start to his season, having rushed for 261 yards on 50 carries. 

On the other side of the field, the Rainbow Warriors have their own version of Brown, as sophomore running back DeVon Rice has put up more than 50 yards rushing in three of his last four games, pacing the backfield in every major statistic. 

While Rice’s season has already produced career highs in yards, touchdowns and yards per carry, the Las Vegas native knows his statistics come second to his team’s ultimate goal. 

“It didn’t go the way we wanted,” Rice said after a road loss to Wyoming, in which Hawaii put up 10 points. “But, there's no excuse here.”

As Rice continues to lead the ground game, sophomore quarterback Micah Alejado has also found success, leading the Mountain West in yards passing. 

While Hawaii continues to compile yards through the air, finding the end zone has been a bit of a struggle for Alejado as his 1,361 yards have resulted in only four passing touchdowns. 

Still, ASU’s secondary will face a heightened challenge on Saturday, as Dillingham announced after practice on Wednesday that defensive leader and senior defensive back Lyrik Rawls will be out for the near future following a knee injury sustained against Baylor. 

As Saturday evening inches closer, Dillingham continues to emphasize that his Sun Devils have not played their best football, but believes this week is an opportunity to reset and make the necessary corrections. 

“We have to play our best game,” Dillingham said. “I have to coach my best game. I have to have my best week.”