How to watch ASU and Arizona football season-openers

Arizona State launched its 2026 football campaign on September 5 with a decisive 70-7 win against Morgan State. The game was characterized by a high-scoring offense led by quarterback Cutter Boley, who threw six touchdowns during his debut. The victory was so lopsided that Arizona State and Morgan State reached a mutual agreement to shorten the fourth quarter to 10 minutes. Head coach Kenny Dillingham provided explanations for this decision following the contest. The event saw significant attendance from students, alumni, and fans who brought traditional energy to the game day atmosphere. Extensive coverage of the blowout was provided by national and local outlets.

CBS Sports, Yahoo Sports, and ESPN all reported the final score of 70-7, while 247Sports noted that the fast and physical start of the game aligned with internal expectations for the team. Local reporting from azcentral.com, The Arizona Republic, and Arizona Sports focused on the logistics of the game, including the shortened fourth quarter and how fans could watch the streaming-only broadcast. Additionally, The New York Times questioned whether the lopsided opener signifies a broader return to form for the program, suggesting that while the win is good for self-esteem, further proof of the team's quality is required. Context for the matchup includes Cutter Boley's debut as quarterback, with Yahoo Sports analyzing how his performance compares to previous Sun Devil quarterbacks and 247Sports reporting that Boley set a record in the process. The game served as a foundational stepping stone for the program's season. Prior to the kickoff, College Football News framed the Morgan State game as a way for the Sun Devils to warm up for a future high-stakes matchup against Texas A&M.

The event was supported by detailed "know before you go" guides issued by Sun Devil Athletics to prepare attendees for the 2026 season opener. Observers will now look toward the team's upcoming schedule to see if the momentum from the season opener carries forward. Specifically, based on reporting from College Football News, the team's performance against Texas A&M will be a critical marker of their actual standing. While the victory over Morgan State provided an immediate boost to the team's confidence, national coverage indicates that analysts are waiting for more competitive matchups to determine the team's true potential for the 2026 season. Future updates will likely focus on whether Boley can maintain his record-setting pace against stronger opponents.