In a thrilling Saturday night showdown, Arizona State football extended its undefeated home record, pulling off a 35-31 victory against UCF at Mountain America Stadium. This win brings ASU to 7-2 overall and 4-2 in Big 12 play, positioning the Sun Devils within striking distance of a Big 12 Championship Game berth in their inaugural season in the conference.

Leavitt and Tyson’s Chemistry Powers ASU Offense

Redshirt freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt continued to display poise beyond his years. Completing 16 of 25 pass attempts for 161 yards and three touchdowns, Leavitt demonstrated command of the offense, navigating a tough UCF defense with efficiency and clutch playmaking. His standout connection with sophomore wide receiver Jordyn Tyson was the difference-maker in the closing minutes, as the pair connected twice for touchdowns, including a game-winning 13-yard pass with just under five minutes remaining.

Tyson, proving himself as a dynamic offensive weapon, finished with seven catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns, a career-high performance that has quickly positioned him as one of Leavitt’s go-to targets. With his ability to create separation and pull down catches in tight coverage, Tyson helped energize a Sun Devil offense missing its leading rusher, Cam Skattebo.

Special Teams and Defense: Key Contributions in First Half

While ASU’s offense stepped up in the final moments, special teams and defensive plays in the first half provided a much-needed spark. Early in the game, freshman safety Montana Warren turned the tide by returning a blocked punt from Martell Hughes 48 yards for a touchdown, knotting the score at 7-7. This was ASU’s first punt return touchdown since 2017, and it was a momentum-shifter that put UCF on their heels.

The special teams surge continued in the second quarter, as Arizona State capitalized on a costly mistake by UCF’s freshman kick returner, Christian Peterson, who muffed a kickoff return. This set up a series of high-energy plays, culminating with cornerback Laterrance Welch’s interception return for a touchdown just before halftime. Welch’s interception came less than ten seconds after a Leavitt touchdown pass to tight end Chamon Metayer, flipping the game in ASU’s favor and giving them a 21-17 halftime lead.

Head coach Kenny Dillingham has emphasized the importance of the “middle eight” — the last four minutes of the first half and the first four minutes of the second. His team responded, scoring twice in rapid succession just before halftime, a strategic success Dillingham credited postgame as “game-changing.”

The Back-and-Forth Battle: Harvey Leads UCF’s Charge

Despite ASU’s defensive heroics, UCF fought back with resilience and playmaking from RJ Harvey, the Big 12’s leading rusher. Harvey showcased why he tops the conference, rushing for 127 yards on 25 carries and scoring three rushing touchdowns. His explosive runs kept UCF in the game, particularly during the second half, which saw four lead changes. Harvey’s physicality and ability to break tackles repeatedly put the ASU defense on its heels and helped UCF capitalize on a sizeable yardage advantage, outgaining ASU 406-260 in total offense.

Redshirt freshman Dylan Rizk, UCF’s fourth starting quarterback this season, was solid in his debut road start. He completed 24 of 34 passes for 229 yards with zero touchdowns but made critical completions on third downs. Rizk’s composure was evident in his opening drive, where he completed all eight of his pass attempts, setting up an 8-yard rushing touchdown that gave UCF an early lead.

However, the Sun Devils’ defense held strong in key moments, with safety Xavion Alford making timely tackles and linebacker Tre Brown providing crucial run stops that ultimately limited UCF’s scoring chances in the final minutes.

ASU’s Depth Shines Without Skattebo

Missing their star running back Cam Skattebo due to a shoulder injury sustained against Oklahoma State, the Sun Devils relied on redshirt freshman Kyson Brown to lead the rushing attack. Brown, starting in Skattebo’s place, recorded a career-high 73 yards on 18 carries. While ASU’s ground game lacked its usual explosiveness, Brown’s tough runs kept the UCF defense honest, allowing Leavitt more opportunities to exploit gaps in coverage.

Offensive coordinator Beau Baldwin adapted well to Skattebo’s absence, relying on short passes and intermediate routes to compensate for the loss of yardage on the ground. This strategy paid off, as Leavitt’s accuracy on mid-range throws and Tyson’s playmaking after the catch provided essential yardage and kept ASU’s offense balanced despite the setback.

A Defensive Stand Closes Out the Game

With under five minutes left and holding a narrow 35-31 lead, Arizona State’s defense needed one more stand to seal the game. UCF turned to Harvey on a critical fourth-and-one on their own 33-yard line, but ASU’s defensive line broke through to stop him just short of the marker. The Sun Devils took over on downs and methodically ran down the clock to ensure the Knights had no chance for a comeback.

The clock wound down to just five seconds before Arizona State turned the ball over on downs at the UCF 22-yard line, forcing the Knights to attempt one last desperate play. Rizk completed an 11-yard pass as time expired, sealing ASU’s 35-31 win and keeping the Sun Devils’ perfect home record intact.

Big 12 Title Hopes Remain Alive

With Saturday’s win, ASU remains tied for third in the Big 12 standings at 4-2, along with Iowa State, Kansas State, and West Virginia. As they move deeper into conference play, each game will play a critical role in determining ASU’s postseason chances. Next week’s road game against Kansas State presents another high-stakes opportunity for the Sun Devils to prove themselves in their first Big 12 season.

Coach Kenny Dillingham’s high-energy approach has galvanized a resilient Sun Devil team that is learning to capitalize on key moments and turn defense into offense. Dillingham, who took over the program last year, praised his players’ ability to execute under pressure, emphasizing that the team’s success stems from their focus on teamwork and situational awareness.

“Our players are fighting every second, every down,” Dillingham said. “They’re committed to each other, to every detail. I think it’s really showing on the field.”

With each win, Arizona State builds momentum toward a potential berth in the Big 12 Championship Game, adding excitement for Sun Devil fans eager to see their team thrive in a new conference. For now, ASU’s focus remains on taking it one game at a time, as they aim to extend their winning streak and keep their Big 12 dreams alive.