Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham shows true class with post-game gesture after Peach Bowl loss

Sun Devil defensive backs coach Kenny Dillingham wasn't about to let his players leave the Peach Bowl field Wednesday with their heads hung low after

Dillingham returned to the midpoint and ensured he greeted as many Longhorns as possible, including the Sun Devils, to shake hands.

You didn't win the game, that doesn't excuse you from showing respect. When you're done, you shake hands, it's the right thing to do, that's showing good sportsmanship," Dillingham said. "It doesn't matter if you would have won or not, when the game's over, you go out there and face reality, it's not always easy, but it's part of life.

Arizona State coach Herm Edwards said prior to their big game against Georgia in the Peach Bowl that his team was basically playing with an edge, considering the fact that nobody expected them to win the Big 12 Conference championship or even make the College Football Playoffs this season.

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Arizona State battled back from a 16-point deficit to stage a thrilling comeback, ultimately falling short in a 39-31 loss to Texas at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Running back Cam Skattebo was named the Most Valuable Player of the Peach Bowl, even though his team wasn't victorious. Skattebo accomplished 284 yards by running with the football, by catching passes, and by throwing the ball, and he justified all the criticism he faced.

Sam Leavitt confidently declared he would determine who the top quarterback was by facing UT's Quinn Ewers in a competitive match. Leavitt accomplished 24 out of 46 pass completions for 222 yards and posted a remarkable 16-yard rushing gain on third-and-14 in the first overtime period.

Leavitt's pass was intercepted by Andrew Mukuba, a University of Texas player, due to an unsuccessful read on a route near the sideline.

'Coach Dillingham will definitely have the longest coaching history," said Skattebo, seated beside Leavitt. "I have no doubt Leavitt will be playing on Sundays at some point, and so will I. We've got a significant number of years of playing ahead of us. What we're experiencing now is just the starting point.

Arizona State wrapped up the season with a remarkable record of 11-3, and it's unlikely their success in 2024 will be overlooked when it comes to next year's campaign.

It's all about coming out on top at the end of the day," Dillingham said. "And you can see why that team's so good - they've worked hard for four years to get to this level and they truly deserve it. Coach Sark and his entire team have done an incredible job and I, along with our team, have a ton of respect for them, we knew it was going to be a tough battle.

However, when you take a closer look, we wondered if we belonged in the game. I believe many supporters were questioning our place in the game, and I'm pretty much positive that no one questioned whether we belonged on the field.

Unfinished business currently exists with the team, not to be perceived as moral wins despite a season conclusion.