Manhattan, Kansas – Arizona State achieved an impressive 24-14 victory over No. 16 Kansas State on Saturday night during their first encounter with their new Big 12 rival. Quarterback Sam Leavitt delivered a strong performance, passing for 275 yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, receiver Jordyn Tyson made a significant impact with 12 receptions for 176 yards, securing two of those touchdowns for the Sun Devils.
After an injury layoff, running back Cam Skattebo returned, rushing for 73 yards. Arizona State established a commanding 21-0 lead by halftime. With this win, the Sun Devils improved to 8-2 overall and 5-2 in conference play, keeping their hopes alive for a spot in the Big 12 championship game.
Kansas State’s Avery Johnson led the offense with 258 passing yards, but he faced difficulties with two interceptions alongside a touchdown run. The Wildcats, now at 7-3 and ranked 16th in the College Football Playoff poll, had previously enjoyed a successful home record of 4-0 this season and 15-3 over their last three home games. D.J. Giddens contributed with 133 rushing yards, and Joe Jackson had a rushing touchdown.
However, the Wildcats struggled throughout the game, committing three turnovers and failing to convert on two field-goal attempts due to poorly executed snaps. The missteps were particularly glaring since Kansas State had a week off to prepare for this matchup.
The game’s opening drive was disastrous for Kansas State, as Johnson’s pass was intercepted just two plays in. Arizona State capitalized on this error, covering 49 yards before Leavitt connected with Tyson for the first touchdown. Following another failed play by Kansas State, the Sun Devils recovered the ball. On their subsequent drive, Leavitt struck twice again, finding Tyson from 30 yards for a second score, and then connecting with Chamon Metayer from 16 yards to extend the lead to 21-0 early in the second quarter.
The Wildcats faced further frustration as a 67-yard touchdown reception was wiped out due to a penalty on offensive lineman Andrew Leingang for blocking too far down the field. A missed connection on a potential 69-yard pass to Ty Bowman only added to their woes. To cap it off, Kansas State squandered a golden chance with a fumble on a field-goal snap when they were poised with a first-and-goal situation at the Arizona State 5-yard line.
The Sun Devils went into halftime with an audible chorus of boos echoing from the Kansas State fans directed at their team.
In a late-game attempt to stage a comeback, Johnson managed to score a touchdown with 2:51 remaining in the third quarter. The Wildcats quickly regained possession and, within a minute, scored again and executed a successful two-point conversion. Despite this effort, Arizona State effectively ran down the clock on their next drive, making it difficult for Kansas State to continue their rally.
In a final effort, the Wildcats failed to convert a field-goal attempt with just over two minutes remaining, which could have narrowed the scoreline to a single possession.
In Summary, Arizona State, initially underestimated and picked to finish at the bottom of the Big 12, remains in the championship hunt. They are set to clash with seventh-ranked BYU next week, while Kansas State’s aspirations for the conference title are all but dashed following two lackluster halves of play. The Wildcats are gearing up for their home finale against Cincinnati on Saturday.