An ASU offense that couldn’t find momentum in the first 20 minutes turned into the guys who loved the ball in the biggest moments.
Redshirt sophomore Sam Leavitt connected with his top target, redshirt junior Jordyn Tyson, on a 57-yard touchdown reception to get a dormant ASU offense on the board and ignite the Valley in Tempe. The reception was Tyson's longest of the season thus far and allowed him to surpass 2,000 receiving yards in his collegiate career.
With under two minutes to play, he then capped off his landmark passing day with the game-tying touchdown. Tyson totaled 126 yards and two touchdowns on eight receptions in the Sun Devils' win against TCU Friday night.
"Winners win," head coach Kenny Dillingham said. "Some people in the biggest moments are their best; some people love the ball with the game on the line."
The Fred Biletnikoff award hopeful added to his impressive start of the season as he now has seven receiving touchdowns, halfway to the Sun Devil record of 14, just five games into the season.
"It's a testament to my team," Tyson said.
Leavitt noted the game-tying touchdown was the first time he had connected on a concept he had been practicing with Tyson since arriving in Tempe two years ago.
"First time hitting it in the biggest moment," Leavitt said. "Fourth and goal, and (Marcus) Arroyo said 'we're going bang.' It's our bread and butter."
No. 0 continued to demonstrate why he is a projected first-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft, showcasing his hands and acrobatics by making multiple diving catches in crucial moments for the maroon and gold.
He also showed why he is considered one of the best route runners in all of college football, hooking up with Leavitt in the short, intermediate and long passing attacks throughout the game, including the 57-yard touchdown that started ASU's comeback.
"We were running a double move slant and go against cover one post safety, and I just let 0 go to work," Leavitt said.
Tyson started his career at the University of Colorado, where he tallied 470 yards in nine games during his lone season with the Buffaloes.
The Texas native arrived at ASU with Dillingham in 2023, but only played in three games, using his redshirt year. He burst onto the scene as ASU's top wideout during their Big 12 championship-winning season in 2024, recording 1,101 yards on 75 receptions and 10 touchdowns.
READ MORE: ASU crowned Big 12 champion after blowout win over Iowa State 45-19
Tyson now leads the NCAA Division I FBS level in receiving yards and touchdowns this season, and continues to be the key to the Sun Devil offense as he's led the team in either yards or receptions in all five games thus far.
Edited by Alan Deutschendorf, Senna James and Pippa Fung.
Reach the reporter at eapache3@asu.edu
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