TEMPE — On fourth-and-goal from the 4-yard line, Arizona State’s comeback push hung in the balance. With the game on the line, ASU turned to its two stars, as quarterback Sam Leavitt found junior wide receiver Jordyn Tyson in the end zone for the tie with 1:50 left in the fourth quarter.
Just 36 seconds later, senior kicker Jesus Gomez split the uprights to give the Sun Devils their first lead of the night — one they ultimately didn’t relinquish.
TIE GAME IN TEMPE 😈 pic.twitter.com/ajqim7mI3O
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) September 27, 2025
In front of another sellout crowd, the cardiac crew from Tempe pulled out another nail-biting victory by taking down No. 24 TCU 27-24 on Friday night.
To set up the game-tying and game-winning scores, Sparky needed a clutch effort from its defensive unit. In the final two minutes, the group allowed a net total of minus one yard and forced two turnovers.
Arizona State sophomore linebacker Martell Hughes iced the game, snatching his first career interception with 50 seconds left on the clock. The Maroon and Gold’s defense also sacked TCU junior quarterback Josh Hoover four times and recovered a fumble in the final quarter.
It propelled the Sun Devils to score 10 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. Head coach Kenny Dillingham and his squad now move to 8-2 in one-score games in the regular season over the past two seasons.
“Some people love to have the ball with the game on the line, and some people don’t,” Dillingham said. “Sam (Leavitt) is somebody who loves to have the ball with the game on the line, and so is JT (Jordyn Tyson).”
Leavitt and Tyson have now connected on four fourth-quarter touchdowns this season, three of which have been for the lead or tie. The dynamic duo has come up clutch all season and even ignited the team’s Friday-night comeback.
After falling 17-0 early in the second quarter, the All-American connection hooked up for a 57-yard touchdown to get the Maroon and Gold on the scoreboard. The catch put Tyson over 2,000 career receiving yards and stands as his longest reception of the season.
Sam Leavitt launches a DIME to Jordyn Tyson for a @ASUFootball TD! 💎 pic.twitter.com/v0UOfgJAcQ
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 27, 2025
“It was a double move against Cover one,” Leavitt said. “I just let zero (Tyson) go to work. It was pretty easy for me.”
Tyson ended his night with eight catches for 126 yards and two scores.
The following possession, Leavitt took over with his legs, picking up 32 yards on the ground during the drive. He capped it off with an 8-yard scamper into the end zone.
The middle eight remains a huge point of emphasis for Dillingham’s crew. On Friday night, they dominated the period again.
The Sun Devils swiftly cut the TCU lead to three right before the halftime break.
Yet, in the second half, ASU quickly found itself up against the ropes. Hoover took his Horned Frogs right down the field into a goal-to-go situation. But like they did all night, the ASU defense came up with a timely stop.
On third-and-goal, sophomore safety Boogie Wilson picked off Hoover on the ASU 7-yard line, halting the Horned Frogs’ drive. So far, the Washington State transfer has flourished despite the lofty expectations tied to filling the shoes of senior All-Big 12 defensive back Xavion Alford.
Offensively, Sparky made use of the Hoover interception thanks to a 44-yard catch and run from sophomore wideout Jaren Hamilton. The ASU offense marched all the way down to the TCU 4-yard line.
With a shot to take the lead, the Sun Devils’ early-season short-yardage struggles continued. Three straight stuffs by the Horned Frog front sent Gomez out to make it 17 a piece.
Even on a shaky night, when Gomez missed two field goals, Dillingham always maintains trust in his kicker.
“I never have a doubt,” Dillingham said. “If we had to kick a 56-yarder to win that thing, I would not have looked; he would have made it.”
Gomez notched his 11th field goal this season, which matches the Sun Devil total from 2024.
Hoover and the Frogs answered the tie by driving right down the field on their following possession. Hoover completed five passes for 64 yards, capping it off with a touchdown run to reclaim the lead.
However, from there, ASU took control. Sparky outgained the Frogs by nearly 140 yards to rack up ten unanswered points.
“We do a great job finishing,” Leavitt said.
The young gunslinger now owns three fourth-quarter comebacks in his career, proving to be one of the most clutch performers in the country.
“Winners win,” Dillingham said. “I can’t give you a real answer on how he finds ways, but some people in the biggest moment are their best.”
Heading into the bye, the Sun Devils will get some much-needed rest and an extra week of preparation before heading up to Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Utes on Oct. 11.
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