TEMPE – Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt returned to take a knee to end the first half with the Sun Devils ahead of Utah, 13-9, after leaving earlier in the second quarter on a hard hit.

Leavitt had gone to the medical tent before heading to the locker room with a towel over his head as the Sun Devils punched the ball in for a touchdown on the drive he led most of the way.

On the play, Leavitt rushed for eight yards in the red zone, with the big hit coming from Utah linebacker Lander Barton to the quarterback’s right.

Jeff Sims took over at quarterback in place of Leavitt and ran in the touchdown.

After the Sun Devil defense stopped Utah late in the half and forced a field goal, Leavitt returned to the field for the kneel.

Leavitt has already proven himself as a true dual-threat quarterback and has shown that he is not afraid to take hits.

After Week 1, ASU coach Kenny Dillingham said sliding was not a focus for Leavitt due to his inability to do so. Dillingham said in those cases he wanted the quarterback to lunge forward instead of digging his cleat into the ground.

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