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The message from Arizona State football coach Kenny Dillingham is loud and clear: pack the stands Saturday at Mountain America Stadium for the school’s game as the SEC’s Mississippi State rolls into Tempe.
After making a plea following last week’s dominating 48-7 season-opening win against Wyoming to break the record for student attendance, Dillingham doubled down on his message to fans at his Monday news conference.
“I think Arizona State has over 40,000 new students this year,” Dillingham said. “I believe 17,000 of those people are true freshmen. And I think it was a record 9,000, something like that, for in-state student enrollment. I think all of those things, and the excitement with (first-year athletic director) Graham (Rossini) and the athletic department and what they’re doing to hype up, is a huge advantage for our guys.”
The coach said the home field can be a major advantage.
“When our guys run down the kickoff, and we defer and we get to run down to that student section, they have to start on their own 25-yard line and that student section is roaring, it’s an unbelievable feeling,” he said. “That’s the challenge for the students — you’re part of this. And we want to break the record.
“I want to have more students that’s ever been at a game. I want you guys to be part of the first time that Arizona State has ever won an SEC game. Come be part of history. Let’s pack it out, from the fans to the student section, everything. Let’s make this the best environment in college football this weekend.”
Dillingham, the Scottsdale native and ASU alum-turned-head coach, is particularly energized.
The 2024 season opener was a step in the right direction as 13,698 students attended the game, the second-most in school history since 2010.
Dillingham knows what it is like to be in an environment…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/asus-dillingham-wants-best-environment-223050136.html
Author : AZCentral | The Arizona Republic
Publish date : 2024-09-02 22:30:50
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