After a shootout 21-21 first half, it was Arizona State football’s defense that made game-winning plays in the fourth quarter to beat Texas State on Thursday, 31-28.
The Sun Devils shut out the Bobcats in the fourth quarter to secure the program’s first 3-0 start since 2019. The last time ASU started 3-0 when facing three FBS schools was in 2007.
Safety Shamari Simmons stripped Texas State’s Ismail Mahdi on the Bobcats’ 20-yard line with nine minutes left of a 28-28 ballgame. ASU converted a go-ahead Ian Hershey field goal.
On Texas State’s ensuing possession, quarterback Jordan McCloud took a deep shot that Sun Devils safety Xavion Alford came down with.
🗣️ BALL@ASUFootball recovers the Shamari Simmons’ forced fumble in Bobcat territory with a chance to break the fourth-quarter stalemate.#Big12FB | 📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/ddWOAfnpOf
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) September 13, 2024
The Bobcats had one final gasp, but on fourth-and-5, ASU cornerback Keith Abney II knocked McCloud’s pass away for the turnover on downs. ASU running back Cam Skattebo iced the game on the ground. ASU held Texas State, which gained 249 yards in the first half, to 27 yards in the fourth quarter.
The Sun Devils trailed 21-7 in the first half, but quarterback Sam Leavitt delivered a 52-yard touchdown pass to Jordyn Tyson to cut the deficit in the second quarter. Leavitt ran in a seven-yard touchdown with six seconds before halftime, which tied the game after the extra point.
Leavitt finished 19-for-30 with 246 yards, one touchdown and an interception. He also ran for 40 yards and a score.
ASU with the half rollout and deep TD to Jordyn Tyson pic.twitter.com/HEeCR08Ml9
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) September 13, 2024
Skattebo ran for 62 yards on 24 carries with two touchdowns after winning Associated Press national player of the week.
ASU’s defense racked up six tackles for loss, two from Simmons. Keyshaun Elliott made a key third down stop ahead of Texas State’s turnover on downs.
The Sun Devils begin Big 12 play on Sept. 21 at Texas Tech.
