AMES, Iowa – In his second start of the season, Arizona State senior quarterback Jeff Sims put on a superhero cape and turned in a signature performance, breaking the all-time single-game rushing yards record for an ASU quarterback with 228 yards.
The turning point in the game came with 7:59 left in the third quarter, when Sims broke free for an 88-yard rushing touchdown, stretching his team’s lead and bringing energy to his sideline. After a gloomy day in the Hawkeye state, the sun rose just in time to shine down on the Sun Devils.
Arizona State defeated Iowa State in a road tilt, 24-19, after a dominant second-half defensive performance. The win now makes Arizona State officially bowl eligible and keeps its hopes of returning to the Big 12 Championship alive.
After a home loss against Houston just a week ago and the two backbones of their offense being out, it seemed as if the Sun Devils’ season was doomed the rest of the way.
Usual starter, sophomore quarterback Sam Leavitt, was ruled out for the remainder of the season with a lingering injury requiring season-ending surgery.
The answer to ASU’s injury woes?
Second-year Sun Devil Jeff Sims, an experienced transfer quarterback.
Sims could’ve left ASU last offseason in the transfer portal, knowing he would be the backup quarterback. Instead, he stayed and led a resurgent offensive charge in a rematch of the 2024 Big 12 Championship.
All about family. @JeffSims_10 pic.twitter.com/K9zPp6vkyS
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) November 1, 2025
Walking off the field, Sun Devil fans chanted Sims’ name, celebrating his record-breaking outing. The dual threat ended up with 405 total yards and accounted for all but three of his team’s points.
With junior wide receiver Jordyn Tyson out for a second-straight game, a different offensive weapon had to step up again. Senior tight end Chamon Metayer had his fourth game with more than 55 receiving yards and snagged a critical 18-yard touchdown late in the second quarter.
Also, junior wide receiver Jalen Moss finally broke through for the Maroon and Gold, finishing the day with 52 yards on three receptions.
The receivers helped the Sun Devils break their streak of scoring less than 20 points, which happened twice in their last three games.
ASU also never gave up a single sack during the late morning tilt. After surrendering four last week, the offensive line prevented their quarterback from getting dropped in the backfield, which allowed Sims to find rushing lanes and let his wideouts work open down the field.
Still, Iowa State never wavered to the physicality of ASU, keeping it close the entire 60 minutes. The Cyclones put up 16 points in the first half with steady quarterback play by junior quarterback Rocco Becht, who finished the half passing 7-for-13 and a touchdown.
In the second half, the Arizona State defense locked down. The Sun Devils only gave up three total points after halftime, tying the lowest number of points allowed in a half this season for the Maroon and Gold.
Senior Jordan Crook continued his strong season, picking off Becht in the fourth quarter. His fellow teammate, senior linebacker Keyshaun Elliott, finished as the leading tackler for the defense for the fourth game in a row.
Up next, Arizona State will head into the bye week, hoping to recover and lick its wounds. After the week off, ASU will take on West Virginia in the annual homecoming game at Mountain America Stadium.
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