Absolute chaos at Mountain America Stadium saw the Sun Devils defeat the No. 24 TCU Horned Frogs 27-24, after an insane final two minutes.
In a game where the Sun Devils outgained the Horned Frogs 498-269, won the turnover battle 3-1 and the penalty battle (TCU 8-72 - ASU 7-56), it still came down to a wild ending. In the last two minutes, the Sun Devils scored a touchdown and a field goal, and had a strip sack and an interception. This was the Sun Devils' largest comeback against a ranked opponent in ASU history.
"We just got a lot of red zone trips," redshirt sophomore Sam Leavitt said. "We've got to come up with some better points."
The Sun Devils' defense made plays all over the field. They generated three turnovers, two interceptions and a forced fumble, including the game-sealing pick from sophomore Martell Hughes. The defense also had season highs of six sacks and 13 tackles for loss.
The player of the game on defense, though, was redshirt senior Prince Dorbah. The defensive lineman played his best game in the maroon and gold, with three sacks, four tackles for loss and the strip sack to set up the go-ahead field goal.
"We knew all game that we had an advantage up front," Dorbah said. "So we liked our matchups all game. Coaches just told us to go rush."
With the box score being so one-sided, the main struggle for the Sun Devils came in the red zone and on third down. On three separate goal-to-go situations, ASU was unable to punch the ball in, settling for two field goals and a turnover on downs. The Sun Devils finished Friday night's game 5-16 on third down.
"We're winning games and not playing our best football," head coach Kenny Dillingham said. "That's the thing I feel best about."
Redshirt junior Jordyn Tyson also made history in the win. The wide receiver reached 2,000 career receiving yards on his 57-yard touchdown in the first half. Tyson finished his night with eight receptions for 126 yards and two touchdowns.
On the ground, redshirt junior Raleek Brown had his third game of the season over 100 yards, totaling 134. He also had nine receptions for 50 yards.
For Leavitt, it was his best game statistically this season. The quarterback went 27-39 with 291 yards and two touchdowns. He rushed 13 times for 62 yards and a touchdown.
Leavitt's biggest accomplishment was leading the game-winning drive. He felt no pressure in front of a sold-out Mountain America Stadium.
"I always wanted the ball in the biggest moments," Leavitt said. "Last shot in basketball, things like that. So when you get out here, you kind of just calm down."
After being the hero last week versus Baylor, Jesus Gomez provided once again, despite a rough night. He went 2-4, missing from 46 and 43 yards for a minute, to sealing the Sun Devils' win in the end.
ASU bounced back heavily after the Horned Frogs took a 17-point lead. The Sun Devils put up 17 unanswered points of their own to draw even in the third.
"The veteran group that we have," Dillingham said. "We're just like, 'Oh, this isn't good. We've been here before. Why don't we just score once, stop (them).' There's never a panic."
After the Horned Frogs took the lead once again, the Sun Devils responded with another 10 unanswered points in the last two minutes to win another close game in the Dillingham era.
"It's incredible that our team continues to find ways to get it done in the big moments," Dillingham said. "Testament to the character of the guys we have on the team."
Correction: A previous version of this article stated Sam Leavitt went 26-38 for 278 yards. This story was updated on Sept. 27 at 4:42 p.m. after The State Press learned the statistic was misstated when given to the reporter.
Edited by Alan Deutschendorf and Pippa Fung.
Reach the reporter at niall.rosenberg@gmail.com and follow @RosenbergNiall on X.
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Niall Rosenberg is a lead Sports Reporter at the State Press. He has previously worked with sports teams such as the Rockford Rivets of the Northwoods League. He is in his 2nd semester with the State Press with the chance to cover football and other sports.
