Arizona State Stuns BYU 28-23 in Thrilling Upset, Eyes Big 12 Title
TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona State proved once again that they are one of the most surprising teams in college football this season, pulling off a dramatic 28-23 upset win over No. 14 Brigham Young on Saturday. The Sun Devils (9-2) were in control for most of the game, leading 21-3 at the half, but had to hold on after a valiant comeback attempt by BYU (9-2), who rallied to make it a one-score game late. In the end, Arizona State’s defense, a clutch turnover, and a bizarre ending kept the Sun Devils’ hopes of a Big 12 title alive.
BYU’s Comeback Falls Short
With Arizona State up 28-23 and just over a minute left, BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff tried to engineer a game-winning drive. However, his second interception of the game—thrown into the hands of ASU’s defense—gave the Sun Devils the ball back with a five-point lead. At that point, it seemed as if the game was over, and fans began to rush the field in celebration.
But in typical college football fashion, things got a bit complicated.
Instead of attempting to make it a two-possession game, ASU elected to run backwards on offense, attempting to milk the clock down to zero. When quarterback Sam Leavitt launched the ball on a desperation fourth-down throw just as time expired, Arizona State fans thought they had clinched one of the biggest wins in recent program history. But then came the twist: after a review, officials determined that one second remained on the clock.
What followed was a chaotic 13-minute delay as Arizona State students were ushered off the field, the goal posts were set back up, and the game resumed with BYU getting one last shot at a Hail Mary.
Unfortunately for the Cougars, the final play was incomplete as Retzlaff’s pass came up a few yards short of the end zone, allowing the Sun Devils to hold on for the win.
Stellar Performances for Arizona State
The win was a team effort for Arizona State, who kept BYU at arm’s length for most of the game despite the late drama. Leavitt passed for 247 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception. But it was the Sun Devils’ running game that was the real difference-maker. Running back Cam Skattebo had a career day, rushing for 147 yards and three touchdowns, including two crucial scores in the second half that helped Arizona State maintain their lead.
Skattebo’s powerful, physical running style was on full display as he bulldozed his way through BYU’s defense, wearing them down and keeping the offense on the field for long, clock-eating drives. Arizona State’s offense, which had struggled in previous seasons, has now found its identity under first-year head coach Kenny Dillingham, and Saturday’s win was a prime example of their improvement.
“We won the football game,” Dillingham said with a wide smile after the game. “We beat another ranked team in Mountain America Stadium. This is all about the guys. These guys battled, these guys fought, these guys found a way to win.”
Dillingham, who has turned around the Sun Devils’ fortunes in just one season, continued, “It doesn’t matter whatever happened in the end because we got to rush the field twice. How about that? We rushed the field three times this year. That’s pretty cool. How many people get to do that? Come to Arizona State because there’s a lot more of that coming forward.”
BYU’s Late-Game Struggles
For BYU, the loss was frustrating, especially considering how close they came to completing the comeback. After a sluggish first half, the Cougars rallied to score 20 unanswered points, cutting the deficit to 28-23 with just under two minutes to play. But their effort fell short in the final moments, as Retzlaff's interception and the subsequent failed Hail Mary doomed their chances.
Head coach Kalani Sitake expressed disappointment but was understanding of the chaos that ensued after the game-ending play was reviewed. “They are so excited to get the win,” Sitake said of the Arizona State fans. “It’s two ranked teams that were playing. All we heard was there might be one second left and I am going to cling on as much hope as I can. It’s okay. None of our guys are hurt, so there was no big issue there.”
The loss, combined with Colorado’s upset loss to Kansas, has left the Big 12 title race wide open with one regular season game left to play. BYU, once in control of their own destiny, now faces a tough road ahead, while Arizona State still has an outside chance to earn a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game.
Arizona State’s Big 12 Bid Still Alive
The win over BYU keeps Arizona State firmly in the hunt for the Big 12 Championship Game. The Sun Devils have now won four straight games and boast a 9-2 record, an incredible feat given that they were picked to finish last in the Big 12 preseason poll. They will head into their final regular-season game against in-state rival Arizona in the “Territorial Cup” with everything to play for. A win in that game could potentially secure them a spot in the conference title game, pending the results of other matchups.
For Arizona State, a trip to the Big 12 Championship Game and a potential College Football Playoff bid would be a remarkable achievement for Dillingham and his team in just his first season as head coach.
What's Next for Arizona State and BYU?
For the Sun Devils, the next challenge is a rivalry showdown with Arizona. A win in the "Territorial Cup" would cap off a remarkable season for Arizona State and potentially earn them a shot at the Big 12 title. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and Dillingham’s squad will need to continue playing at a high level to keep their championship hopes alive.
As for BYU, the Cougars now need to regroup after two consecutive losses that have complicated their Big 12 title hopes. They will face Houston next week in a must-win game to keep their conference championship aspirations alive.
The drama of Saturday’s game—complete with a field rush, a review, and a last-second Hail Mary—will surely be remembered for years to come as Arizona State secured one of the biggest wins in recent program history. And with everything to play for, the Sun Devils are primed for another exciting chapter in their remarkable turnaround.
Key Takeaways:
Sam Leavitt and Cam Skattebo Shine: Leavitt threw for 247 yards, while Skattebo rushed for 147 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Sun Devils to victory.
BYU’s Comeback Falls Short: After trailing 21-3 at the half, BYU made a valiant push but ultimately came up short in the final minute.
Arizona State’s Big 12 Hopes Still Alive: The Sun Devils are 9-2, have won four straight games, and will face Arizona in the “Territorial Cup” with a potential Big 12 title on the line.
BYU Faces Must-Win Game: The Cougars, now 9-2, must defeat Houston next week to stay in the hunt for a conference championship.
With a rivalry game and a potential Big 12 Championship Game appearance on the horizon, Arizona State’s season is far from over—and the Sun Devils are showing no signs of slowing down.
Author
Cameron Williams
DiSportsPhotoAgency
Senior Writer
