In a surprising finale, the Arizona State football team staged a comeback and secured a 31-28 victory over Texas State on Thursday at UFCU Stadium.
The game’s turning point came from a 22-yard field goal by sophomore Ian Hershey, putting ASU ahead 31-28 with 6:29 remaining.
However, the climax wasn’t over yet. After a fourth-down pass was broken up by Keith Abney, ASU regained possession with 2:09 left at Texas State’s 20-yard line. They managed to run the clock down to just two seconds, with Leavitt taking a knee six yards back on a fourth down.
Just as half the ASU team had headed toward the locker room, the referees called them back, adding a second back on the clock—a decision that sparked strong protests from head coach Kenny Dillingham. The players returned to the field, allowing Texas State one final attempt from their 30-yard line.
Quarterback Jordan McCloud completed a lateral to Joey Hobert, who then passed it to Ian Langford, but a fumble ensued, allowing ASU’s Clayton Smith to recover and seal the game.
Leavitt expressed disbelief that there could still be time left on the clock, noting that he had taken a few seconds before kneeling.
Dillingham shared the explanation he received: “They said they were reviewing the time on the clock. We got the win, so we should focus on the players. Honestly, it’s not the fault of those on the field. The situation involves a replay room outside their control, and I feel for those refs. I think they did well throughout the game, managing play and communication effectively. Having to relay the decision from the replay booth isn’t easy for them. I’ll need to find out how it happened for future reference, as I believed we could take two seconds and then kneel.”
What Went Right
Strong Start: ASU kicked off the game with a successful opening drive, covering 69 yards in 10 plays within 4:46. Cam Skattebo’s 1-yard run put them ahead, marking a solid 2-0 start with two home wins. There were concerns about their performance on the road, especially with a quick turnaround for a Thursday game.
Comeback Resilience: Until facing Texas State, ASU hadn’t trailed all season. However, they found themselves down 14-7 with 6:47 left in the first half, and later fell behind by 14 points at 21-7. Despite the offensive line’s struggles in protecting Leavitt, ASU responded effectively, leveling the score at 21 before trailing again at 28-21, only to rally back once more—showing true resilience.
Improved Passing Game: Last week, ASU managed only 62 passing yards, focusing on the run game. This time, Leavitt showcased his skills, throwing for 246 yards and successfully executing several downfield connections, including a crucial 40-yard run that set up a touchdown.
Positive Turnover Margin: ASU continued its strong defensive play with three takeaways in this game, bringing their season total to seven, just two shy of last year’s total in 12 games. They only turned the ball over once.
Facing Adversity: Coach Dillingham wanted to test the team’s response to challenges. They faced several obstacles this game, including the away setting, trailing by multiple scores, and having a second added to the clock for an additional play by Texas State. The Sun Devils passed this test admirably.
What Went Wrong
Defensive Struggles: Despite entering the game with strong defensive rankings, ASU surrendered 400 yards. Their defense was bend-but-don’t-break, allowing Texas State to convert 8 of 17 third downs and successfully execute 2 of 4 fourth-down attempts.
Tough Night for Skattebo: After a career-high 262 rushing yards last week, Skattebo struggled against Texas State, managing only 62 yards on 24 carries. The Bobcats focused on stopping the run, contributing to this challenge, and ASU’s offensive line didn’t provide the necessary support. However, Skattebo did deliver some tough runs late in the game to help run out the clock.
What to Watch Next Week
Longer Preparation Time: Following the quick turnaround for Thursday’s game, ASU will get extra days to prepare for their Big 12 Conference opener on September 21 against Texas Tech. Dillingham plans to remain in Texas for a few days to recruit while the team returns to Tempe for rest.
Personnel Notes
Several key players were out due to injuries, including DE Prince Dorbah, DE Anthonie Cooper, LB Tate Romney, LB Jordan Crook, DB Laterrance Welch, OL Sean Na’a, and OL Jalen Klemm. RB Raleek Brown (hamstring) returned but had just two carries for one yard. Safety Myles Rowser was initially flagged for targeting in the third quarter, which would have sidelined him for the first half of the next game, but the call was reversed upon review. The game featured four captains: defensive lineman C.J. Fite, defensive end Clayton Smith, safety Xavion Alford, and wide receiver Troy Omeire, all hailing from Texas.
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