The Arizona State Sun Devils are attempting to navigate significant travel disruptions ahead of their upcoming college football matchup against the Central Florida Golden Knights.
The team was forced to de-plane following an announcement from the Federal Aviation Administration regarding a nationwide grounding of flights, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
Despite the logistical hurdles, the program remains committed to playing the game as scheduled at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Acrisure Bounce House in Orlando.
ESPN sources provided an update on the team’s current status regarding their travel itinerary for the weekend, noting that the team is planning to fly to UCF on Saturday morning.
The squad returned home to rest after the initial travel delay and intends to attempt the trip again once conditions allow.
Coach Kenny Dillingham leads the Sun Devils into this contest with a 5-4 overall record, including a 4-4 mark in Big 12 play.
The team has seen notable individual performances this season, particularly from wide receiver Reed Harris, who has attracted attention from NFL scouts, according to ClutchPoints.
The upcoming game presents a challenge for the Arizona State roster, which features quarterback Cutter Boley and lead rusher Cardae Mack.
While the Sun Devils have struggled with defensive consistency throughout the season, they currently hold statistical advantages over the Knights in several categories.
Central Florida enters the matchup with an identical record but has faced difficulties on the offensive side of the ball, currently ranking near the bottom of the conference.
The Big 12 conference has been monitoring the situation closely and has released statements regarding potential schedule adjustments due to the widespread aviation issues, as detailed by ClutchPoints.
Players and staff are focused on maintaining their preparation for the high-stakes game despite the uncertainty surrounding their arrival in Florida.
The coaching staff hopes the adversity will serve as a catalyst for the team as they head toward the final weeks of the college football season.