With limited experience and no starts under his belt, many question marks circled Arizona State redshirt freshman starting quarterback Sam Leavitt heading into week one. Leavitt quieted any potential critics and dazzled in his first game as a Sun Devil with an impressive performance to lead ASU to a 48-7 win over Wyoming.
Leavitt looked like a seasoned veteran despite the game being his first career start at the collegiate level. He showed maturity with checks at the line of scrimmage and made smart decisions with the football to avoid surrendering any turnovers.
He credited his comfortability to the extensive preparation with the coaching staff, which allowed him to feel confident heading into his first start.
“I wasn’t too nervous coming into this game,” Leavitt said. “That’s a testament to the coaching staff and the team preparing to have answers for any situation. I didn’t do anything too special tonight. I just got the ball to my playmakers and let them make a play which led to great results.”
The quarterback also got help from his defense, as they made life easy for him before he even stepped on the field. A pair of interceptions on the first two drives, including one returned for a touchdown, gave the Sun Devils early momentum and allowed Leavitt to play with some cushion.
“It takes all the pressure off me,” Leavitt said. “Getting to watch my guys go to work and create momentum in the stadium, lets me just go out there and play.”
Nonetheless, Leavitt took control of the game on the offensive end and led scoring drives in six of the eight offensive possessions he commanded for the Sun Devils.
His mobility proved deadly against Wyoming’s defense which struggled to contain the dynamic quarterback. On critical downs, Leavitt utilized his legs to scramble for first downs and find receivers downfield outside the pocket.
“I told him before the game when in doubt run,” head coach Kenny Dillingham said. “What I was proud of was that he took that and I applied it in the game. We talk about the fact that on first and second down we don’t need you to be a superstar. We just need you to manage the game. It’s third downs that we need you to extend plays and use your legs, and that’s when the running showed up were those third downs.”
Additionally, he displayed his notable arm talent and chemistry with his pass catchers by rifling multiple passes into tight windows to receivers such as redshirt sophomore Jordyn Tyson and redshirt senior Jake Smith.
The young quarterback’s ability to get the ball off cleanly on a number of screen passes was a testament to a healthy and improved offensive line which kept the young quarterback upright as well as it could against a veteran defense.
In total Leavitt finished with a clean stat line, as he ended the game with 258 passing yards, 47 rushing yards and two touchdowns to guide ASU to a dominant week one victory.
“I felt like I played pretty well,” Leavitt said. “There’s always going to be certain things you want back, but overall I’m happy about the win.”
ASU’s starting signal caller looks to continue his hot start to the season in a second-week matchup at home against the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
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