Arizona State Head Coach Kenny Dillingham Postgame Press Conference:
Saturday, November 15, 2025
On coming up with another close win this season:
“I told the guys in the locker room some people find ways to win, some people find ways to lose.’ Some are quiet and successful, versus those that are loud and successful. Some people are alphas, some people aren’t. There’s so many ways to be successful in football and in life. Some people like controversy, some people hate it. Do you get it done or not? Our guys get it done. That’s what I told them. It’s a great lesson that nobody cares about the pain ... We're getting it done and it’s so cool to watch.” 

On redshirt senior QB Jeff Sims performance and first at-home appearance:
“Like I said 18 months ago, we have two NFL quarterbacks on our team. People laughed at me and thought I was crazy, but I still believe that. Jeff Sims is a guy who can play on Sundays. For him to be able to get this opportunity is super cool. Coach Arroyo and I like to joke about what’s right in the universe for him to go out and be successful because he’s a good kid ... He was fired up…it’s great for him to get a win.” 

On building off high-momentum moments like junior defensive back Keith Aneby’s game-sealing interception:
“We want to recruit smart kids here. Our slogan to win football games is smart, tough, and the goal of the team. (Abney) is a guy who’s in the Barrett honors program…When you see smart players make smart plays it starts in the classroom. It starts in how he carries himself (even through) life. When it carries over to game day, it shows you being smart helps you win football games.”

On how this team has battled through injuries and relied on underdog players: 
“Everybody’s got to find a way to have a chip on their shoulder. You should always find your own way to motivate yourself. A lot of those guys have been counted out. Told they’re not good enough, that they can’t play quarterback, (or) can’t play division one. Whatever it is, a lot of guys on our team have still been told no. They haven’t been praised. That’s why we win close games, they like each other. They’re a brotherhood. Those guys want to win so bad. There’s a will to win, the will to compete, and they find a way.” 

On the program’s player-centered culture:
“Those guys want to win for each other. They run the show before we leave the locker room, they say the last words. That’s what I want. I want a team (that’s in charge of itself). I’ll keep the guardrails and help them make good decisions, (but they're) going to win and work together. I’m no bigger than the team. I’m one of the people who are trying to help get it right. The right arena and the right program. They’re the team. I’m trying to run the program. Those are two (different) things. You’re in it when you’re trying to build what you want. Somebody said something the other day about building the airplane while you’re flying it, that’s what it’s like….That’s college football. There’s so much changing. You’re constantly pushing to fix things and get better while you’re still accomplishing the task of flying the airplane….The ultimate role every single year is the program, and the players, go hand in hand.” 

Arizona State Quarterback Jeff Sims
On playing at home for the first time: 
“It was a blessing. Anytime you get to come home, don't have to travel, get to play with your guys, it was just a blessing to be out there. I'm glad that we got the dub.”

On overcoming a slow a start:
“We started off slow, and then we had a mishap on the first play of the game. But it's just going out there and just getting used to everything, getting into the flow of the game. We had a bye week, so just getting back into the flow of the game and just getting our rhythm back.”

Arizona State Linebacker Jordan Crook
On continuing to push, even with their back against the wall:
“We know the type of kids we got, we know the type of players we got. We've been in situations like this before where it came down to the wire, it's nothing new. So just going out there and going back to the fundamentals and playing harder and executing.I think that's just what it comes down to. It's not like a big rah-rah speech when we get in there. It's just a matter of going out there and making it happen. Getting it done.”

On (DB) Rodney Bimage Jr. walking off the field:
“I think that kind of gave us a little boost, just seeing him down there like that. And then him being able to get up and get up, not on his own feet, but he was able to walk and get up smiling. And he was dancing a little bit, so I think that kind of gave the team a little more juice. Come out there and just go make more plays.”

Junior Defensive Back Keith Abney II
On making the game-winning interception:
“It felt amazing. Just being able to make that play for my team, trusting Coach [Brian] Ward to put me in a position to make that play. It's crazy, me and the quarterback made eye contact like right before that, so like I kind of knew it was coming. It was a great feeling though, an amazing feeling.”

West Virginia Head Coach Rich Rodriguez 
Postgame Press Conference:
Saturday, November 15, 2025
On what was the difference in the second half:
“The game was tied in the first half and we didn't move the ball that much. I didn't feel in the first half that they were better than us, but they're better than us because they won. We couldn’t move that ball that much, and then we got stupid penalties on defense. Give them first downs. It's a lack of discipline, and it goes back to coaching. We can't even get lined up on the last play, to get the field goal block, it’s a lack of discipline and all coaching right there. We only ran for 68 yards.”

On Scotty Fox Jr’s performance and how he’s been progressing:
“It was all right. I thought he looked like he was seeing things and then there were other times where he had some true freshman moments. But he's a competitive guy, he loves to compete, and he doesn't have any quit in him. But, it should be a lot easier to be a quarterback if you can run the ball.”

On what he wanted to do against Arizona State QB Jeff Sims:
“He was throwing the ball with some success. He had 81 yards rushing; they didn't run as much, but we gave them first downs to win the game on penalties. It’s not good enough to be undisciplined and win games. We played hard, but you're supposed to play hard, that's a given.”

West Virginia DT Edward Vesterinen
On keeping their emotions controlled throughout the game:
“When the game gets tighter, I feel like emotions help me play better. We all believe that we're going to make it. It's small details that really add up and that decide the game. At the end of the day we have to do better with small details.”

On coming out of the gate to start the game compared to Arizona State:
“I think the defense came out hot. I don't know about their offense though. It didn't seem like they were ready to go. But as a defense, we have to do a better job of staying on top and not letting it slip away as the game continues.”

West Virginia WR Jeff Weimer
On what led to his 75-yard touchdown catch:
“I think it comes down to preparation and honestly it comes down to (West Virginia Quarterback) Scotty (Fox jr.) making a good throw on time. That's really what it comes down to. I'm just doing my job.”

On what the team did differently in the second half:
“I honestly don't think it was that much of a difference. I think we were driving the ball well in the beginning. We didn't finish some drives. I think that's why it looked a little different as far as scoring wise in the first and second half. But other than that, I think we kept playing with energy and we were coming after them every snap. So I don't think there was too much of a difference as far as that goes.”