In an electrifying Week 11 Big 12 showdown, Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt led the Sun Devils to a hard-fought 35-31 victory over UCF, delivering three touchdown passes, including two to receiver Jordyn Tyson. The win keeps Arizona State (7-2, 4-2 Big 12) in the mix for postseason contention, as they outlasted the Knights in a game marked by five lead changes, explosive plays, and a dramatic fourth-quarter finish.
The action-packed game saw both teams trading punches right from the start. UCF’s RJ Harvey put up a stellar performance with 127 rushing yards and three touchdowns, consistently powering the Knights’ offense. UCF led 17-14 late in the first half, but Arizona State flipped the momentum in the final minute before the break. With 56 seconds left, Leavitt connected with tight end Chamon Metayer on a 4-yard touchdown pass to narrow UCF’s lead. Then, in a pivotal error for UCF, Christian Peterson fielded the ensuing kickoff in the end zone, failed to take a knee, and was tackled at the 1-yard line. On the very next play, Arizona State’s L.T. Welch intercepted a pass from UCF quarterback Dylan Rizk and returned it 9 yards for a touchdown, giving the Sun Devils a 21-17 halftime lead.
After a back-and-forth third quarter, UCF regained the lead 31-28 thanks to Harvey’s third rushing touchdown. However, Leavitt and Tyson had the final word. With 4:55 remaining, Leavitt threw a perfectly placed 13-yard touchdown pass to Tyson, giving the Sun Devils a 35-31 edge. On UCF’s next drive, Harvey was stopped on a crucial fourth-and-2 with just over three minutes left, and the Knights struggled to regain possession. A brief final drive ended as time expired, securing Arizona State’s victory.
Leavitt, a redshirt freshman, demonstrated poise under pressure, completing 16 of 25 passes for 161 yards with three touchdowns, while Tyson led the Sun Devils’ receiving corps with 99 yards on seven catches. Arizona State also benefited from Martell Hughes’ blocked punt, which was returned by Montana Warren for a 46-yard touchdown, adding a critical score early in the game.
For UCF, Rizk completed 24 of 34 passes for 229 yards in his second career start, stepping up after a victory over Arizona last week. However, five false-start penalties and a missed 46-yard field goal in the fourth quarter proved costly for the Knights. UCF outgained Arizona State 406-260 in total yards, but mistakes and missed opportunities hindered their ability to close out the win.
The Knights fall to 4-6 and must win their final two games to keep bowl eligibility within reach. UCF faces a bye next week before traveling to West Virginia, where they’ll need to sharpen up on execution and discipline to keep their season alive.
Receiving votes in last week’s AP Poll, the Sun Devils could edge closer to national consideration with this narrow win. Up next, they face No. 22 Kansas State, a game that may have even greater implications for their postseason ambitions.
Arizona State’s victory keeps them in the hunt in a competitive Big 12, showcasing a resilient squad that thrives in tight games. The Sun Devils will look to carry this momentum into next week as they aim to strengthen their position in the conference standings.
