Arizona State Benches Quarterback Cutter Boley

The Sun Devils turn to Mikey Keene following a 53-25 loss to Texas Tech.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Football

Arizona State Benches Quarterback Cutter Boley

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Should a college football team prioritize performance over maintaining the current starting lineup?

Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham has benched starting quarterback Cutter Boley. The move follows a 3-3 start to the 2026 season and a lopsided loss to Texas Tech.

Why it matters

The coaching staff made the decision to move Boley to the sideline after the offense struggled against Big 12 conference defenses. The change aims to address poor overall production on that side of the ball.

Cutter Boley threw 2 interceptions during the 53-25 loss against Texas Tech. The team entered the second half of that game trailing 43-10.

The players

Kenny Dillingham

He serves as the head coach of the Arizona State Sun Devils football team.

Cutter Boley

He is a college quarterback who has started for the Arizona State Sun Devils during the 2026 season.

Mikey Keene

He is a backup quarterback who has taken over as the primary starter for the Arizona State Sun Devils.

The details

Mikey Keene replaced Boley at halftime during the recent game against Texas Tech. The coaching staff opted for the switch as the team seeks to stabilize its offensive performance midway through the season.

Timeline

  1. Arizona State finished the 2025 season with an 8-5 record.

  2. Arizona State entered the 2026 season.

  3. Arizona State lost to Texas Tech on October 17, 2026.

  4. Reports of the quarterback benching surfaced on October 21, 2026.

Season Trajectory

The transition from Cutter Boley to Mikey Keene marks a significant shift in the team's offensive direction during a pivotal mid-season period. This move directly impacts the Sun Devils' standing in the Big 12 as they attempt to improve upon their current 3-3 record.

Mikey Keene will be the primary signal-caller for upcoming games as the staff seeks a spark for the offense. Fantasy rosters and team rotation depth charts must now be adjusted to reflect the change in the starting quarterback position.

The takeaway

Quarterback changes are often necessary when offensive production fails to meet conference standards. Fans and observers should watch how the team utilizes Mikey Keene to see if the personnel switch translates into improved scoring efficiency.

Further reading

For more on the Sun Devils' roster updates, visit Football.

Live Poll

Should a college football team prioritize performance over maintaining the current starting lineup?