Linebacker Caleb McCullough was heroic in ASU's upset of Utah

Arizona State linebacker Caleb McCullough knew he would get his chance one day after four years in the program.

And that moment came on the big stage during Friday's massive 27-19 upset over Utah at Mountain America Stadium.

With 1:40 minutes left in the game, Utah quarterback Cam Rising was on the move and needed to score to narrow the gap to eight points. McCullough clinched the game when he read Rising's throw to Money Parks in the red zone.

“Caleb is the epitome of what this team is all about, and that’s just keep fighting, not getting rattled and finding a way,” coach Kenny Dillingham said.

As fans stormed the field and fireworks were set off, McCullough was quickly hired by the ESPN crew to do the postgame interview as the player of the game. Something that once seemed far away for the backup linebacker who played sparingly under Keyshaun Elliott.

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“This is a guy who has been through the whole mess,” Dillingham said. “He was here when all the bad things happened. He was 3-9 (season) here. Then I show up and tell him: just stay, just stay. He's back here and we're 3-9 and we suck again. He's one of the few people who stayed and it's great that he's getting this game done. Kudos to him.”

McCullough's time at ASU was one of perseverance. The former three-star prospect from Oxnard, California, has steadily earned more playing time since arriving on campus as a freshman in 2020.

But when ASU brought in new linebackers in Elliott from New Mexico State and Zyrus Fiasu from San Diego State, McCullough had to earn his playing time.

With Elliott out in the first half after making a targeted effort in the second half of last Saturday's win over Kansas, McCullough made sure the absence wasn't obvious.

Not only was ASU shorthanded on defense without defensive lineman Clayton Smith, but the Sun Devils also had to face Utah's offense at full strength as Rising recovered from a finger injury.

McCullough's persistence and patience limited Utah to three field goals in the first half. ASU linebackers Utah's rushing attack was limited to 3.6 yards per carry, aside from a 20-yard run by Micah Bernard in the second quarter.

“That's a linebacker's play and I knew they were going to run the ball,” McCullough said. “Any time you’re a linebacker and you play against a running team, you should be happy. As a group we felt like this was the right game for us and we put in a performance tonight.”

McCullough not only had 12 tackles, but also two big interceptions at Rising. The first score came in the red zone as ASU had a one-possession lead in the second quarter.

McCullough surpassed his career high in tackles, previously eight in 2023.

“I'm more excited to see what my dad has to say because I tell him I'll do all that before the game,” McCullough said. “If it happens, if not, then not. It means the most to me to be able to do plays. I've dreamed of this since I was a child. And finally, on the big stage, my team wins and we beat a ranked team. I’m just happy.”

Linebacker Caleb McCullough was heroic in ASU's upset of Utah

ByVanessa

By Vanessa

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