(Tempe, AZ) Both teams came in looking for their first conference win of the season. Kansas (1-4) had been one of the preseason picks to fight for the conference title, while ASU (3-1) had already exceeded their expectations for the first half of the season.
First Quarter
Devils got the ball first as a result of Kansas winning the coin toss.
Arizona State mixed the pass and run successfully on their first drive with Raleek Brown playing in his first game as a Sun Devil after being picked up in the transfer portal from USC.
It took seven plays for 75 yards with a 28 yard pass from Sam Leavitt to Xavier Guillory on a flag pattern to put the Devils up 7-0 at the 11:44 mark in the opening quarter.
Kansas with their opening possession marched down the field with a strong run game scoring on quarterback Jalon Daniels weaved his way on a keeper to score from 22 yards out capping a 10 play 75 yard drive to tie the score 7-7 with 6:24 left in the first quarter.
Arizona State went three and out on their seconds possession.
Kansas took the ball on their own ten yard line but also went three and out as both defenses made adjustments.
Photo – Sun Devil Athletics
Second Quarter
Daniels settled down and started to pick the ASU secondary apart completing a third and eighteen play to extend the drive. Quentin Skinner hauled in a 30 yard pass as the Sun Devil safety was out of position for an easy touchdown. The Jayhawks exploited the weak ASU secondary and their drive covered 85 yards.
Cam Skattebo took the offense on his own back and gained 38 yards on three consecutive run plays to get the Devils deep into Kansas territory.
After the offense stayed on the field to run a fourth and three, a motion penalty forced a 38 yard field goal which was blocked and ASU came away with no points in a critical error for the team.
ASU grabbed a fake punt play out of their bags of tricks and punter Kanyon Floyd completed a 15 yard pass to Clayton Smith for a crucial first down to keep the drive alive.
The good times didn’t last long as Tyson jitterbugged his way up the field but coughed up the ball and the drive was turned back,
The defense for ASU made adjustments and held Kansas again forcing their second consecutive punt. Stovall retuned the punt 38 yards to give the Devils the ball on the Jayhawk forty eight.
Finally Chamon Metayer got the Sun Devils off the hook with a 8 yard reception capping off a 52 yard drive and the help of two Jayhawk miscues. ASU redeemed themselves from the blocked field goal on the previous drive.
Kansas 14, Arizona State 14 as they headed to the locker rooms.
Photo – Olivia English
Third Quarter
The Jayhawks got the ball first and went down the field with little difficulty as once again they exposed the ASU secondary.
A targeting flag was thrown on Keyshawn Elliott who was disqualified and gave the Jayhawkes a first and goal at the three yard line.
Kansas settled for a 20 yard field goal from Tabor Allen after a nine play 71 yard drive. Jayhawks retook the lead 17-14 at the ten minute mark in the quarter.
Once again, Skattebo came out strong with two big back to back runs. then ASU turned to Brown but it all came to an end when Leavitt threw a pick to Devin Dye in the end zone to thwart another drive.
The Devils defense came up big after the turnover and forced a three and out. The Kansas punt only covered 35 yards and gave Arizona State the ball at the Jayhawk 48 yard line.
With a third and twenty from the Jayhawk thirty nine yard line Leavitt found Tyson open and just got the needed yardage to move the sticks. Once again Arizona State was knocking at the door to end the quarter.
Photo – Olivia English
Fourth Quarter
Skattebo on the first play to start the final quarter took the direct snap and waltzed in from the one yard line to give the Devils their first lead of the game 21-17 at the 14:56 left in the game.
With Kansas down, they looked to the air to move the ball and on a third and ten, they got a gift from the officials flagging Keith Abney for pass interference to keep the drive going and it cost ASU at touchdown two plays later when Devin Neal burst through for a go ahead touchdown run. Jayhawks 24-21 with 10:49 to go.
The Sun Devils now with sense of urgency, but still wanting to use some clock went back to Skattebo to carry the load.
On a third and six at the KU thirty one yard line, Leavitt threw a fade route to Tyson for the go ahead score, but once again undisciplined antics from Tyson cost the Sun Devils an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that made Arizona State kick off from the fifteen yard line and still 6:19 to play.
Another questionable call from the zebras as ASU was flagged for a targeting hit on Daniels, but from the replay, it looked like a good football hit. Things went south from there as Skinner hauled in a 34 yard post route touchdown pass to put the Jayhawks back in the lead 31-28 and 2:04 left in regulation.
Devils came to life with a 39 yard run down to the Jayhawk 27 yard line. A couple of more runs to use time and got the ball down to the Kansas seven yard line.
Kansas was forced to use a time out, leaving them with one to settle down their defense as the Sun Devils ran roughshod on this possession.
Tyson made up for his miscue on the penalty on another fade route to the corner of the end zone and ASU was sixteen seconds away from a huge comeback victory.
Kansas was in an almost impossbile situation as their final Hail Mary attempt was batted down and that was a wrap 35-31.
Photo – Olivia English
Wrap Up
The perseverance of Arizona State is what won this game. Last year this would have been a certain loss, but the improvement and the team’s change of attitude instilled by Dillingham and his staff have turned the program around.
Las Vegas had ASU win total at 5.5. At 4-1, the Devils have a great chance to make a Bowl Game at this juncture of the season. Time will tell, but the “don’t give up” attitude has certainly been noticeable. Keep in mind, this is rebuild season #2 and they’ve already surpassed the last two seasons in wins.
Tonight’s game was a sellout with the announced crowd 54,639 in spite of the temperature at kickoff at 107°.
Next Up
Utah Utes (4-1) visit Mountain America Stadium next Friday October 11th on a short week of practice. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
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