TEMPE — Arizona State football checked nearly every box it wanted to clean up before conference play in a 34-15 win over Texas State at Mountain America Stadium on Saturday night.
Most significant was the performance of sophomore quarterback Sam Leavitt, who entered the game coming off a career-worst completion percentage (45.5%) at Mississippi State. Against the Bobcats, Leavitt looked like the quarterback ASU fans remember, completing 15 of 25 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns, scrambling for 59 yards and another score, and remaining turnover-free for the first time this season.
“It was solid, but I think we left a lot out on the table,” Leavitt said postgame. “We left a lot out there, but overall just proud of the guys. The juice really felt like we were playing as a team again.”
Head coach Kenny Dillingham credited offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo for a game plan that put Leavitt in positions to succeed. ASU did not have a three-and-out in the first three quarters, a marked improvement from the early-season struggles.
“(Arroyo) did an awesome job in the game plan,” Dillingham said. “The guys went out there and executed at a high level. It wasn’t perfect. There’s some areas where we can get better as a staff, as a team, but I was really, really happy with the plan, the execution, the effort we played with.”
Raleek Brown led the rushing attack with 144 yards on 12 carries, highlighted by a 75-yard touchdown run in the third quarter — the longest by an ASU player since Kalen Ballage in 2016. Brown’s 100-plus rushing yards marked his second consecutive 100-yard game, a first for his career.
“I’ve been working for two years and I can only thank the coaches and everyone that’s believed in me,” Brown said. “It felt good to finally have a long run and not get it called back.”
Wide receiver Jordyn Tyson continued his strong start to the season with six receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown, including a highlight-reel jump over a defender on a crossing route to score. Tight end Chamon Metayer also had a career night, hauling in six catches for 60 yards and a touchdown on a 27-yard tight end screen in the third quarter.
The defense, led by senior linebacker Jordan Crook, junior safety Myles Rowser, and cornerback Kyndrich Breedlove, also shone. Crook finished with 12 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and a sack, while the unit recorded five sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and two turnovers on downs. Texas State’s previously explosive rushing attack was contained, and redshirt freshman QB Brad Jackson was unable to establish a rhythm until late in the third quarter.
“On all three levels, whether it was offense, defense or special teams, we made sure we went out there and played our style of football: Fast and physical,” Crook said. “We stayed on their neck the whole game and didn’t let up.”
Arizona State scored early and often, with Leavitt demonstrating his improvisational skills in a collapsing pocket to connect with Tyson for a touchdown. After Texas State finally reached the end zone with a Jackson 7-yard rush, Brown immediately answered with his 75-yard touchdown run to seal the game.
Game Flow Highlights
Fourth Quarter
- ASU ran out the clock for a 34-15 win.
Third Quarter
- Brown’s 75-yard touchdown run: 34-9
- Metayer TD on a 27-yard tight end screen: 27-3
- Texas State touchdown: 27-9
Second Quarter
- Leavitt-to-Tyson touchdown on a crossing route: 10-3
- Two field goals from Jesus Gomez: 3-0, 20-3
- Key defensive stops by Jordan Crook and Keith Abney
First Quarter
- Texas State tied game at 3-3 with a field goal
- Early turnovers on downs from ASU’s first drive and forced fumbles set the tone
Looking Ahead
ASU improved to 2-1, winning its seventh straight home game, while Texas State fell to 2-1. The Sun Devils now prepare for a road matchup at Baylor next week, a final tune-up before the start of Pac-12 play.
“I think we’re slowly figuring ourselves out,” Dillingham said. “We want to get better as the season progresses, and the goal is to keep building.”
