Sun Devils Get Everything Needed From Backup QB Jeff Sims And More Against Iowa State

(Photo: Charlie Neibergall/ AP)

With eight minutes left in the third quarter, Arizona State football held a slim, 17-16 lead over Iowa State. Facing third-and-4 from its own 12, ASU was backed into a corner. A failed conversion would almost certainly mean a punt, and with the Sun Devils averaging just 30.3 yards per kick before this drive, flipping field position was far from a guarantee.

Offensive Coordinator Marcus Arroyo dialed up a look that resembled a screen pass, stacking three receivers tight to the line of scrimmage with redshirt junior running back Raleek Brown tucked just behind them. At the snap, Brown pivoted like he was expecting the ball, selling the screen. The Cyclone defenders on the left side bit, shifting toward the bunch.

But the ball never left redshirt senior quarterback Jeff Sims’ hands. Iowa State had stacked four defenders to the left side of the field to account for the screen fake, leaving the middle exposed. Sims took full advantage by slipping through a crease, shaking off contact, and accelerating into the open field. 88 yards later, he was in the end zone. It was ASU’s (6-3, 4-2 Big 12) final score in its 24-19 win over the Cyclones (5-4, 2-4 Big 12).

“It was just empty quarterback run,” Sims said. “Once I got to the second level I only had to make one guy miss.”

Prior to Saturday, Sims, whose rushing ability the Sun Devils have long viewed as a key element of his game, had totaled just 203 rushing yards across two seasons. As a backup, his chances were limited, often coming in late-game situations with the outcome already decided. But in his third start for ASU, Sims erupted for 228 rushing yards against Iowa State.

Sims’ rushing performance didn’t just play a key role in ASU’s win — it rewrote the program’s record books. His 228 rushing yards against the Cyclones marked the most by a Sun Devil quarterback in a single game, surpassing Mark Malone’s 1978 record of 139. Additionally, it was the eighth-highest rushing total in program history.

“End of the first half, I think he set the school record for rushing,” head coach Kenny Dillingham said. “He made all the plays.”

ASU’s staff knew Sims could be relied on to extend drives with his legs. However, there were two instances of him fumbling the ball in moments when ball security was critical. In a game that remained a one-possession battle from start to finish, those turnovers had the potential to swing momentum and shift control.

The second fumble came on third-and-six from Iowa State’s 25-yard line with 7:30 left in the game. The play design mirrored Sims’ earlier touchdown—this time with a screen fake to his right. But unlike before, the Cyclones only positioned two defenders in front of the cluster of Sun Devil skill players, committing more bodies to the middle.

A yard shy from the sticks, Sims tucked the ball tight and fell forward as sophomore defensive back Marcus Neal delivered a high-impact blow. Sims had enough for the first down, but the collision jarred the ball loose — it popped vertically into the air and into the hands of redshirt sophomore lineman Zaimir Hawk. An opportunity for ASU to ice the game was squandered.

“Just make sure you finish,” Sims said. “Make sure you finish through the goal line, finish everything you do.”

Sims’ first fumble was one of two turnovers he had on back-to-back drives to close out the second half, the other being an interception. It was second-and-25 at ASU’s own 23. The play was a designed quarterback rush to the right with redshirt senior Josh Atkins as the pulling offensive lineman. Redshirt junior linebacker Will McLaughlin got low to the ground and snuck below Atkins before forcing the ball out of Sims’ hands.

That turnover led to a quick Iowa State touchdown that would have tied the game at 17 had redshirt sophomore kicker Kyle Konrardy not missed the extra point. Still, with Sims set to be the starter going forward in the place of injured starter Sam Leavitt, it’s unrealistic to expect that he can turn over the ball three times each game and every opponent will only get six off those turnovers. Ball security will have to be a point of emphasis for the Sun Devils moving forward.

“Defense went out there and held it down,” Sims said. “Everybody around me helped.”

Through the air, Sims was not asked to do much. But when ASU called upon him, Sims made the throws he needed to make for the most part. Sims even provided explosives in the passing game, including a 38-yard completion to redshirt junior receiver Jalen Moss, who had just 41 yards on the season entering Saturday’s game.

Sims’ lone passing touchdown came on an 18-yard strike to redshirt senior tight end Chamon Metayer. Sims and Metayer share a Sunshine State connection, both having grown up in Florida. On a rainy day in Ames, the duo provided a burst of brightness, linking up for the score with five minutes left in the first half to give the Sun Devils a 17-10 lead.

“Everybody trusts (Jeff), coaches trust him for a reason,” Metayer said. “When it matters the most, we’re going to lean on him.”

On the day, Sims accounted for 405 of ASU’s 467 total yards of offense and found the end zone three times. His 88-yard sprint in the third may have been the team’s final score, but it was enough for the Sun Devils to win and Sims to get his name etched into ASU history.

“I was prepared to do whatever it was to win this game for the team,” Sims said. “It’s a blessing that’s all I can say.”