Leavitt’s Heroics Lift Sun Devils Over No. 7 Texas Tech In Landmark Victory For Dillingham

(Photo: Spencer Barnes/ WCSN)

TEMPE — For all the newfound success with head coach Kenny Dillingham at the helm, one area has been a persistent blind spot for Arizona State football, wins against top-10 opponents. Prior to Saturday’s game against No. 7 Texas Tech, ASU carried a four-game losing streak in those contests dating back to 2023.

By the second two-minute warning, it looked like that streak would continue. After leading 19–7 with seven minutes to play, the Sun Devils surrendered 15 unanswered points to the Red Raiders, suddenly trailing by three after once holding a 12-point lead. More than 54,000 fans at Mountain America Stadium visibly sat in disbelief as ASU’s momentum vanished — at least for the moment.

It turns out there was a streak ASU could lean on — an undefeated record at home when redshirt sophomore quarterback Sam Leavitt plays. After missing last week’s game due to injury, the Sun Devils starter left everything on the field, especially when it mattered most. In under two minutes, ASU (5–2, 3–1 Big 12) put together a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive — handing No. 7 Texas Tech (6–1, 3–1) its first loss and giving the Sun Devils their first top-10 win under Dillingham.

“I’ve never been around a guy who just works to try to win football games as much as he does,” Dillingham said. “He does everything he can for this football team. And in the biggest moments, he makes the biggest plays.”

The play that sparked ASU’s rally came on fourth-and-2 at its own 45-yard-line, with the clock ticking under a minute. The Sun Devils showed their trust in Leavitt by asking him to hike the ball with an empty backfield, before the play, the defense knew Leavitt would be dropping back. Texas Tech also showed respect with its personnel, trotting out a cover-zero look, no safety help over the top and man-to-man assignments across the secondary.

After dropping back, Leavitt rolled out to his right, but the Red Raiders had positioned senior edge rusher Romello Height off the line of scrimmage, anticipating a quarterback scramble. That anticipation, however, didn’t stretch to junior cornerback Brice Pollock — who didn’t account for Leavitt’s chemistry with redshirt junior Jordyn Tyson.

The original play design had Tyson running an out route slightly past the sticks. When Tyson saw Leavitt rolling out to his right, he adjusted his route and ran vertically down the sideline. This caught Pollock off guard, resulting in Tyson getting more than enough separation. Tyson caught the ball in Texas Tech territory and picked up almost 20 yards after the catch, setting ASU up at the Red Raiders’ 22.

“We were in empty and they brought cover zero,” Leavitt said. “JT’s on a little five-yard out so I ran at him and he just turned it upfield and found him on the play.”

Tyson finished with 10 receptions for 105 yards — his fourth game of the year with over 100 receiving yards. Saturday was also his second game this season with at least 10 catches and 100 yards, the first being week one against Northern Arizona.

For the first time all year, two Sun Devil receivers went over 100 yards. The other hundred-yard receiver on Saturday was redshirt sophomore Jaren Hamilton, whose first half was the best half of football he’s played all season. His first catch of the day was a 49-yard gain on third-and-long in the first quarter. In the second, Hamilton had another big gain with a 45-yard snag.

Prior to Saturday, Leavitt had just six completions that traveled more than 20 air yards. If Hamilton can consistently be someone ASU dials up deep shots for, the downfield passing aspect may not leave as much to be desired going forward. Additionally, Leavitt’s growing confidence in Hamilton may indicate the Sun Devils have another receiver capable of providing a spark when it’s needed most.

“When the lights come on, some people make plays. And (Hamilton’s) one of those guys,” Leavitt said. “He brings positive energy every single day. I really like the kid.”

Defensively, the two scores ASU allowed in the fourth quarter were outliers in an otherwise strong defensive showing. And while there were plays the Sun Devils could have made on those drives, the more pressing conversation might be about the special teams unit — a group that proved noticeably unreliable when it mattered most.

Though neither punt return went for a touchdown, Texas Tech benefited from favorable field position on both scoring drives — starting one drive at ASU’s 48 and the other at the Sun Devils’ 12. After the game, Dillingham didn’t mince words when the topic was brought up.

“Special teams is atrocious. I’ll probably address that at a later date as I watch the tape,” Dillingham said. “Unacceptable, inexcusable, I’m going to get it fixed.”

The lack of effort on special teams nearly cost the Sun Devils their shot at rewriting a narrative. For all the strides made under Dillingham, the inability to close out games against opponents ranked inside the top 10 had become a defining flaw — and with Texas Tech capitalizing on short fields late, it looked like history might repeat itself.

Yet in the face of unraveling momentum, Leavitt and the offense delivered a defining response. Saturday’s win marked another milestone in Dillingham’s tenure — one he credits almost entirely to Leavitt.

“These wins are his,” Dillingham said. “You guys give us coaches way too much credit.”