👋 GOOD MORNING — Happy Monday! I hope you had a nice weekend.

Did you enjoy the first weekend of NFL games? Former Sun Devil Cam Skattebo made one heck of a first impression, putting the grittiness that we all saw in Tempe on full display. The NFL rookie shook off two would-be tacklers in his first NFL game before finally going down.

It’s something ASU fans never got tired of seeing during the Sun Devils’ magical 2024 season, and coincidentally, was certainly missed late in Arizona State’s last-minute loss to Mississippi State.

On to the show!

— Patrick Brown, PHNX Sports Daily Editor

The Arizona Cardinals’ defense bent, but didn’t break, and if they can clean a few things up on offense, look out.

The Cardinals won their season opener 20-13 over the Saints in New Orleans yesterday, giving football fans in The Valley plenty to be excited about in the process. Wildcats fans are also on cloud nine following UA’s 48-3 win over Weber State, but the Sun Devils dropped a 24-20 heartbreaker at Mississippi State.

There’s a lot to unpack from a weekend full of meaningful football, so let’s dive in.

Arizona won its first game of the regular season since 2021, grabbing a 17-10 lead with 28 seconds left in the second quarter before hanging on late to emerge with a 20-13 victory.

It’s not that Arizona’s defense was overly imposing — in fact, the Cardinals were outgained 315-276 in total yardage — but the D made enough plays in key moments to grab the W. Spencer Rattler was unable to complete the Saints’ rally, misfiring on a last-gasp effort late in the fourth while trying to tie the game.

Rookie corner Will Johnson defended three passes and finished with a solo tackle, and he dropped a bone-crunching hit early in the fourth quarter while the Cardinals continued to lead by 10. He also had a first-half interception called back following an unrelated defensive holding penalty on the other side of the field.

MHJ made five receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown, and he looks to be a huge factor in how this season will play out. Arizona’s offense was pretty underwhelming overall, but it took care of the football and did just enough to win.

Arizona is 2-0 after a 48-3 win over Weber State, outclassing the (other) Wildcats from start to finish.

Quarterback Noah Fifita threw five touchdowns while finishing 17-of-22 for 373 yards, showing the kind of spark that keeps hope present in Tucson. He has yet to throw a pick this season, and all of his production this past Saturday came in the first three quarters.

Arizona followed up last week’s dominating performance over Hawai’i by again winning the turnover battle, this time forcing two interceptions without any giveaways. That brings the season differential to +7, and they have yet to turn the ball over.

Arizona struggled for the second consecutive week with penalties, racking up 80 yards on 10 penalties, two of which nullified Fifita rushing touchdowns. Jabari Mann was also ejected for targeting in the second quarter, which mercifully means he will not miss any of next week’s contest against Kansas State.

The first half was forgettable for Arizona State, but the Sun Devils rebounded from a 17-0 deficit to capture a 20-17 lead late in the fourth quarter. Alas, it was not meant to be, as Mississippi State completed a stunning 58-yard touchdown pass with 30 seconds left to play.

ASU fell out of the AP Top 25 as a result (ranked 26th) and dropped to No. 24 in the Coaches Poll.

The Sun Devils put together an impressive drive late in the fourth quarter, but failed to punch it in the end zone despite having first-and-goal from the three yard line. Kenny Dillingham settled for a field goal, setting the stage for MSU’s dramatic finish.

Sam Leavitt was unable to establish any sort of rhythm early on, finishing 10-for-22 for 82 yareds, one touchdown and two interceptions. For what it’s worth, the running game proved to be effective by notching 251 yards, complete with 100-yard performances from both Raleek Brown and Kanye Udoh.

The Sun Devils dug a huge hole early on, falling down 17-0 before rallying and almost stealing the game. Their College Football Playoff hopes took a hit (but are far from dead), and let’s be honest, no one expected an undefeated season, right?

Don’t Look Now…: The D-backs just continue to roll off wins, claiming another series despite yesterday’s 7-4 loss to Boston. Arizona has not dropped a series since losing three of four to Colorado Aug. 14-17, and are yet again at .500 and looking to get over the hump.

Arizona is somehow, some way just 4.5 games back for the final Wild Card spot in the National League with 18 games to play.

Back to First: The Mercury may have fallen to the 11-31 Sun in Connecticut on Saturday, but Alyssa Thomas was busy rewriting the record books yet again. She led the team with 14 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds, and reclaimed the all-time single season assists record from Caitlin Clark, who set the mark of 337 last season.

Thomas previously owned the record by notching 317 during the 2023 season, but that was surpassed by Clark last year.

Phoenix has two games left before the playoffs start — Tuesday at home against L.A. and Thursday on the road at Dallas.

Back to the Drawing Board: Rising FC managed just a 0-0 draw against Las Vegas Lights this weekend, earning just one point while placing it in a four-way tie for fifth. Phoenix is just two points ahead of ninth-place Orange County, and hits the road for Sacramento to face second-place Republic FC on Saturday.

I could show you highlights all day, but honestly, this won the internet Saturday.

Kicking off the work week like: