While I stood on the podium of the Big 12 Championship celebration at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, watching the Sun Devils hoist their first conference championship trophy in over 20 years, I couldn’t help but put my camera down for a brief moment and look up.
I asked myself, "How the heck did we get here?" and watched the confetti fall on me like raindrops.
This entire season has been a rollercoaster — a journey no one could’ve predicted. At the start of training camp, who would’ve thought the Sun Devils would secure the No. 4 seed in the College Football Playoff bracket? Not even Arizona State University's diehard fans imagined this reality unfolding on New Year’s Day — but here we are.
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While I snapped photos of the team celebrating, I couldn’t help but reflect on how special this season has been.
This team isn’t just a flash in the pan, it’s a testament to resilience, determination and belief.
The Sun Devils have built something extraordinary being coached by a young ASU alumnus in his 30s and powered by a star running back who graduated high school as a zero-star recruit. Transfers and returning players rallied together to create a brotherhood that defied every preseason expectation.
Early in the season, ASU barely scraped by with some close wins. Skeptics waited for the team to collapse under pressure, convinced this Cinderella story couldn’t last. But instead of falling apart, the Sun Devils found their rhythm, dominating opponents down the stretch.
READ MORE: ASU crowned Big 12 campion after blowout win over Iowa State 45-19
Saturday’s win over Iowa State wasn’t just another game — it was a statement. ASU silenced its critics and earned national respect as one of college football’s most elite teams. The Sun Devils proved they belong at the sport’s highest level: no longer just a feel-good story but a legitimate contender.
From being picked last in the Big 12 preseason rankings to raising the conference championship trophy in their first year, this season feels like something straight out of a movie. Wherever this wild ride ends, ASU has already written a historic chapter that no one will forget.
State Press Multimedia Managing Editor Matthew Marengo and State Press Visuals Editor Quinton Kendall also contributed photos to this article.
Editor's note: The insights presented in this column are the author's and do not imply any endorsement from The State Press or its editors.
Edited by Matthew Marengo, Morgan Kubasko and Alexis Heichman.
Reach the reporter at anthony_cavale@yahoo.com and follow @Anthony_Cavale on X.
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Anthony is a part of the Visuals Desk as a photographer.
