SAN MARCOS, TX (AZFamily) — It was a game so gritty that Arizona State had to win it twice.

When the clock hit 0:00, the Sun Devils ran off the field thinking they were 3-0 after a 31-28 comeback win over Texas State.

The officials had other ideas.

After several minutes of discussion and checking with a review crew, a single second was put back on the clock. The teams were brought back on the field, and Texas State had one last chance to get a win.

The desperation play fell short, and for the second time in a matter of minutes, ASU players ran off the field in victory.

For the second straight week, Arizona State had to overcome significant adversity to get a win. The Sun Devils fell behind 21-7 in the first half, and they again had to rally back from another late deficit and hold off a potent Bobcat offense in the waning minutes.

For a young team that exceeding external expectations, Thursday night’s win represented another step forward in the program’s rebuild under head coach Kenny Dillingham.

“It’s not good for my health, but it’s very, very good for our football team,” said Dillingham. “To win that game, to be in a game like that, come out on top, and make the play when it mattered, it just gives confidence in those moments. I think it’s a good building block for us.”

Just three weeks into the season, ASU has already equaled the win total from each of the last two years. There’s more work to be done, but the progress shown so far is undeniable and a boon from those who experienced the lows of last season.

“Best feeling in the world,” senior safety Shamari Simmons said after the game. “I’m in the clouds right now.”

The Activation

“I’m not swaggy.” – Kenny Dillingham

The Game Flow

During the week leading into Thursday’s matchup against a talented Texas State team, ASU’s coaching staff stressed to the players the importance of not getting too high nor too low. After getting wins in the first two games of the season, both at home, the coaches felt the battle against the Bobcats would likely be filled with twists and turns.

It was sage advice.

After a game-opening Texas State three-and-out, both teams were able to finish cap lengthy drives with touchdowns.

ASU’s opening drive almost ended early. Leavitt connected with Jordyn Tyson over the middle for a nice gain into Bobcat territory, but lost the ball when hitting the turf. After initially ruling it a fumble with a Texas State recovery, the officials overturned their call upon review. A hard-13 yard run by Skattebo and an end around run by Jake Smith got ASU inside the 10. A few plays later, Skattebo ran it in from a yard out to give ASU the early 7-0 lead.

Texas State answered back in bold fashion. Facing a fourth-and-2 from their own 44, the Bobcats went for it and converted. Another third-and-long conversion soon after pushed the ball into ASU territory. A few plays later, Jordan McCloud found a wide open Chris Dawn for a 6-yard touchdown.

The Bobcat defense managed to force a quick three-and-out, putting ASU’s defense back on the field. Texas State marched methodically down the field, converting on four separate third downs, the final being a 6-yard touchdown pass from McCloud to Jaden Williams.

Things continued to snowball badly for the Sun Devils. Another three-and-out, including a sack, resulted in a punt deep from their own end. Texas State took over at midfield, and McCloud went to work on the Sun Devil secondary. He completed three straight passes, including a 19-yard score to Beau Sparks to run the Bobcats’ lead to 21-7.

The start of ASU’s ensuing drive got off to a bleak start as Leavitt was sacked again. But a third-and-11 completion to Tyson moved the chains, and Leavitt found Tyson again on the next play for a 52-yard score.

“We ran (the play) before and didn’t connect on it,” said Tyson. “This time, we connected on it for a touchdown. We were just working on it all week, getting the timing right.”

Such was the confidence in the playcall that Tyson knew how it would end.

“Before the play had even started, I was like, ‘Oh, touchdown.’”

Aided by a pair of Texas State penalties, the Sun Devil defense was able to force a three-and-out. Showing impressive poise, Leavitt converted a fourth down from midfield, then connected with Tyson on a subsequent third down to the Texas State 5-yard line. Following a false start penalty, Leavitt was able to evade pressure and scramble in for a score to tie the game right before halftime.

“We responded really well and came up with two quick touchdowns that ultimately put us back in the game,” Leavitt said.

The teams traded punts to open the second half, before the game’s first turnover. Leavitt overthrew an open Markeston Douglas, and the ball tipped off his outstretched arm and was caught by Texas State’s Chris Mills. In response, the Sun Devil defense was able to force a turnover on downs when McCloud’s fourth-down pass fell incomplete at the ASU 34.

ASU was able to move into scoring range with a third-and-11 conversion to Chamon Metayer and a defensive pass interference penalty. But a 51-yard field goal try by Ian Hershey sailed wide left.

The Bobcats were soon able to take advantage of the field position. Their eighth third down conversion of the night moved the ball into ASU territory, then McCloud found a wide open Williams, who had beaten Keith Abney, for a 44-yard score.

With their backs again against the wall, Leavitt showed some moxie, reeling off a 40-yard run. He then connected with tight end Cam Harpole to get deep in Bobcat territory, and Cam Skattebo punched it in from two yards out to tie the game at 28.

Texas State seemed poised to retake the lead, and converted another fourth down early in their next drive, but the Sun Devil defense was ultimately able to force a punt. However, it was an excellent kick and coverage that pinned ASU at its 3-yard line.

A hard run and reception by Skattebo gave ASU a much-needed first down and some breathing room. A few plays later, Leavitt took a hard hit, one that was flagged for targeting. Despite the blow, he quickly rose to his feet.

“When you have a quarterback who plays like that, I think guys rally behind that,” Dillingham said.

Leavitt then connected with Metayer for 24 yards to get to the TSU 36, but the drive sputtered, resulting in a punt. But the Sun Devils didn’t have to wait long to regain possession.

On Texas State’s first play, Simmons forced a fumble by Ismail Mahdi, and Justin Wodtly recovered. Although ASU moved inside the 10, Texas State’s defense stiffened and forced the Sun Devils to settle for a short field goal, giving ASU a 31-28 lead with 6:29 left.

Now clinging to a slim lead, the Sun Devil defense knew they had to step up. Xavion Alford made sure they did, as he intercepted a deep pass on third down.

“Once we really locked in and focused on ourselves, we came out with a different fire, a different passion, and played different in the second half,” he said.

While ASU’s offense was unable to do anything with the possession, freshman punter Kanyon Floyd blasted a 56-yard punt to flip the field.

“The punt there was big, flipping the field,” Alford said. “We were on their side of the field the whole last part of the game.”

With 3:36 left, the Bobcats still had plenty of time. The Sun Devil defense had to step up once again. This time, it was Abney—beaten for the long touchdown earlier—who answered the call. On a fourth-down pass, he was able to knock it away.

“We made the decision coming out of the half to play a new game,” Alford said. “Play every snap snap-by-snap. Ultimately in the second half, we played our football.”

Needing to burn the last 2:09 left, the Sun Devil ground game, held in check for most of the game, answered. On a key third-and-9, Skattebo got nine. It was just a matter of kneel downs, and the Sun Devils would be 3-0.

Which brings us back to the final second chaos.

The stress was short-lived, as defensive end Clayton Smith was able to fall on one of the laterals to seal the win.

For real this time.

The Critical Moment

After getting gashed throughout the first half, and having just been hit for a long touchdown pass, the Sun Devil defense needed to dig deep and find a way to close out the game.

But it wasn’t a schematic adjustment that made the difference.

“We made changes in ourself,” Alford said. “We looked at ourselves in the mirror. I challenged myself. I told the defensive leaders we’re going to put it on us, and you all just follow. That’s what we did.”

The plays by Alford and Abney—a pair of leader and Texas natives—sealed the win.

The Offense

Last week, ASU ran all over Mississippi State. This week, the run game was mostly shut down, shifting much of the pressure to redshirt freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt.

He rose to the challenge.

“He’s a competitor,” Dillingham said. “He’s an absolute competitor. When he’s back there, I have the utmost confidence. He’s smart. He cares. He competes.”

He wasn’t perfect. He missed throws he should have made. But he stood tall in the pocket, got up after big hits, and made the plays when the Sun Devils needed them most.

Leavitt finished the day having completed 19 of 30 throws for 246 yards and one touchdown and his first interception of the season. He added 40 yards on the ground and a score.

Most importantly, he showed a poise beyond his years that helped propel the team to victory.

“We did a good job of being emotionally stable,” Leavitt said.

With more pressure put on the passing game, Jordyn Tyson finally showed the potential he has as the team’s top receiver. He finished with season highs with six catches and 120 yards. While the other receivers didn’t put up much in the box score (a combined three catches for 29 yards), their efforts blocking downfield were noticeable.

“I think we have a very talented receiver room,” said Tyson. “I think we play hard. If our job is to block, we’re going to block. No block, no rock. Hines Ward instilled that, and when the ball comes to you, make a play.”

It was the best game of the year for the tight ends, as Metayer had five catches for 57 yards and Harpole added a catch for 17 that set up a touchdown. Feeding the tight ends along the seams was a goal heading into the game.

“We knew all week that we were going to have to throw the seams well,” Dillingham said. “Coach Arroyo comes in Sunday night and said, ‘Well, we better throw seams well, boys.’ To see seams get thrown in the game is pretty cool, to have a coordinator who knows early in the week where he’s going to have to attack, then our guys go and apply it.”

Perhaps due to the short week, it was a rough night for the offensive line against the aggressive Bobcat defense. They allowed eight tackles for loss and three sacks, along with consistent pressure of Leavitt. The failed to open holes in the run game, with ASU averaging just 3.4 yards per sack-adjusted carry. With a few days of extra rest before the next game, we’ll see if this was the result of a short week or signs of concern.

It was a night where the end result and the resilience looked far more impressive than the stat line.

The Defense

Through most of the first two weeks, the ASU defense has been dominant. But the explosive Bobcat attack had them on their heels through three quarters. They were especially bad on third downs, giving up eight conversions on 14 attempts.

But responding to challenges was not new to the Sun Devils. The coaches had them ready for a response.

“Adversity is a big word in our program,” Alford said. “A lot of teams just say that word. I feel like we breathe, eat, and sleep that word.”

ASU’s defense held Texas State to 27 yards and forced three turnovers, plus a turnover on downs, in the fourth quarter.

“We did a good job of bending but not breaking,” Simmons said. “We did a great job of creating energy and just locking in and doing what we do.”

ASU’s starting safeties were electric. Alford made seven tackles and had the key interception, while Simmons also had seven stops, two of which were for loss, and the critical forced fumble. Myles Rowser led ASU with 13 tackles.

Up front, the line, missing tackles Jacob Kongaika and Zac Swanson, responded by only allowing 30 yards on the ground in the second half after giving up 102 in the first. Ends Elijah O’Neal (four hurries) and Clayton Smith (two) didn’t get a sack, but made McCloud uncomfortable.

The totals don’t look great: 400 yards, eight third down conversions, three-for-three in the redzone. But Thursday night’s showing was an embodiment of the old saying, “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.”

The Top 3

Here are three Sun Devil players who stood out against Texas State.

QB Sam Leavitt: A game of significant growth for the young quarterback.

DB Shamari Simmons: The reigning team MVP showed why he’s so crucial to the defense.

DB Xavion Alford: He’s emerging as the heart and soul of the defense.

The Question: Is it time to recalibrate expectations?

The preseason narrative is well known by now. ASU was picked 16th—dead last—in the preseason media poll (I had them 11th). But things are changing.

ASU ran out to big leads in their first two wins against teams (Wyoming and Mississippi State) that appear to be on the way to difficult seasons. Texas State, however, was a squad that some thought could be the Group of 5 representative in the College Football Playoff.

We may still be weeks away from knowing how good this team is, but we do know a few things. This team is better and deeper than last year’s squad. Thursday is not a game that recent Sun Devil teams find a way to win. And the adversity not just faced but overcome may be bigger than the wins in the standings (but those are pretty important too).

“When we get into games like this, I know Shamari, I know Sam, offense, defense, we all got each other’s backs,” Alford said.” We’ve been through tough adverse times together. A lot of team’s just try to flip the switch, but we’re a team that is built off adversity.”

The offense needs to find better balance. The line needs to step up. The defense can’t allow teams to convert third downs at such a high clip. The special teams play has been inconsistent.

This team is a work in progress. This program is undergoing a multi-year rebuilding effort. But they also appear to be ahead of schedule, and with the resolve and leadership they have shown so far, it may be time to start thinking about a postseason berth.

“The relationships on this team are stronger, significantly,” Dillingham said. “The want to on this team is stronger. These guys put in a lot of work. There’s a difference between confidence and cockiness. If you’re cocky, you just think you’re going to win. If you’re confident, you put the work in. You’re prepared that whatever happens, you want to be confident. Today, we played confident. When the game mattered most, No. 4, who didn’t get loose all game, got loose. When the game mattered the most, Alford intercepted the ball. When the game mattered the most, the best players on our football team made plays.”

The Next Step

Thursday was the first half of a Lone Star doubleheader for the Devils. ASU travels to Lubbock next Saturday to face Texas Tech in their opening game of Big 12 Conference play.

The Red Raiders have stumbled out of the gates at 1-1. They needed overtime to beat Abilene Christian to open the year before falling to Washington State 37-16. They host North Texas on Saturday.

But first, a few days of extra rest await the Devils.

“Our guys get a little bit of downtime for a couple of days,” Dillingham said. “It’s been a battle for the last 12 days. Our guys are tired. Our guys are beat up.”

The Extra Points

• Dillingham isn’t going back home. Yet. After Thursday’s big win, he’s hitting the recruiting trail in the fertile grounds of Texas, with a visit to a high school set for 7 a.m. Friday.

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