Arizona State Sun Devils arrive in El Paso and are prepping for Sun Bowl outing
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EL PASO, Texas — The Arizona State Sun Devils are here, and preparations for the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl are underway.
The Sun Devils (8-4) arrived Saturday, Dec. 27, one day after their opponent, the ACC champion Duke Blue Devils (8-5). ASU is practicing at Eastwood High School, with the game scheduled to kick off at noon on Dec. 31 and air on CBS.
It will be the school's second bowl appearance in coach Kenny Dillingham's three years. Last season, the Sun Devils were in the Peach Bowl, a College Football Playoff quarterfinal game, opposite Texas.
This will be ASU's eighth appearance in the Sun Bowl, more than any other bowl game. Of course, much of the reason is that the Pac-12 teams had a tie-in with that particular bowl. ASU is 4-2-1 in the Sun Bowl, the last appearance coming in 2019 when the Sun Devils defeated Florida State, 20-14, under then-coach Herm Edwards.
There is no more talk about where Dillingham will be next season, now that all parties have agreed to an amended contract.
The team had two weeks of informal practices, the first of which focused on the development of the younger players who hadn't seen many game reps. Dillingham said his contract situation and the rumors about the opening at Michigan did not cause much disruption.
"I never really let it distract me, stuff like that distract me," Dillingham said. "I don't fall into all the game of this thing. I just go about my business, go do what I need to do today to be better today in the role I'm in, and rock and roll. So it really wasn't a distraction for me personally. It was just another day doing what I do and operating.
"It is a reality show, though. So I understand if it can be distracting to other people. But to me, I'm just an episode on the show."
ASU has 11 players who have declared for the draft. Those players don't typically play in a bowl game, but some, including linebacker Jordan Crook and defensive lineman Justin Wodtly, have opted to play.
Jeff Sims will start at quarterback for the Sun Devils, although true freshman Cam Dyer is expected to get playing time. Duke's starting quarterback, Darian Mensah, who threw for 3,646 yards and 30 touchdowns and only five interceptions, is expected to play.
This will be just the second meeting between the two teams. The first came in 2014, and was also in the Sun Bowl, which was won by the Sun Devils, 36-31. Taylor Kelly was the quarterback of that ASU team. Demario Richard had four touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns and two receiving scores to lead the Sun Devils to that victory.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: ASU arrives in El Paso and is prepping for Sun Bowl outing
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