After a shootout (21-21 in the first half), it was Arizona State’s defense that made the decisive plays in the fourth quarter to defeat Texas State 31-28 on Thursday.

The Sun Devils held the Bobcats to a clean sheet in the fourth quarter to seal the program’s first 3-0 start since 2019. The last time ASU started 3-0 against three FBS schools was in 2007.

Safety Shamari Simmons stripped Texas State’s Ismail Mahdi from the Bobcats’ 20-yard line with nine minutes left in a 28-28 game. ASU converted a go-ahead Ian Hershey field goal.

On Texas State’s ensuing possession, quarterback Jordan McCloud fired a shot from long range that caught Sun Devils safety Xavion Alford.

🗣️ BALL@ASUVoetbal recovers Shamari Simmons’ forced fumble in Bobcats territory, providing a chance to break the deadlock in the fourth quarter.#Big12FB | 📺 ESPN photo.twitter.com/ddWOAfnpOf

— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) September 13, 2024

The Bobcats had one last gasp, but on fourth-and-5, ASU cornerback Keith Abney II knocked away McCloud’s pass for the turnover on downs. ASU running back Cam Skattebo finished the game on the ground. ASU held Texas State, which had 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 threw a 52-yard touchdown pass to Jordyn Tyson to close the gap in the second quarter. Leavitt ran for a seven-yard touchdown with six seconds left before halftime, tying the score 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 photo.twitter.com/HEeCR08Ml9

— Billy M (@BillyM_91) September 13, 2024

Skattebo ran for 62 yards on 24 attempts and scored two touchdowns after being named the Associated Press’ national player of the week.

ASU’s defense collected six tackles for loss, including two by Simmons. Keyshaun Elliott made a key third-down stop for Texas State’s turnover on downs.

The Sun Devils open Big 12 play on Sept. 21 at Texas Tech.

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