TEMPE — Arizona State found itself in a familiar situation against West Virginia on Saturday afternoon: a one-score game at home.
The Sun Devils have played in seven one-possession games this season and improved 5-2 in those contests after defeating the Mountaineers 25-23 on homecoming weekend. It’s a trait that Kenny Dillingham’s teams have carried during his tenure. Over the last two seasons, ASU is 11-4 in games decided by single digits.
The impressive aspect of another close victory for the Maroon and Gold on Saturday?
The Sun Devils are doing it without several of their top players. Sophomore quarterback Sam Leavitt, junior wide receiver Jordyn Tyson and senior safety Xavion Alford, who were all named to the Big 12 preseason team, have missed a significant amount of time.
Instead, Arizona State continued to rally around sixth-year quarterback Jeff Sims, who led his team on a go-ahead scoring drive down the stretch.
“Some people find ways to win and some people do not,” Dillingham said. “Nobody cares about the pain; they just say, ‘Show me the baby.”
An underdog mentality carried Arizona State all the way to the College Football Playoffs and the Big 12 Championship last year. Now, with Sims under center, the Sun Devils are beginning to embody that same mindset.
“We have already let Jeff know, we are all behind him,” senior linebacker Jordan Crook said. “We did not feel any type of way, it is always the next man up. We have the same confidence in Jeff to lead us to a win as we did with Sam.”
Sims finished the day with 207 yards passing and 81 rushing while throwing three touchdowns to three different receivers. It marked only the fourth time in Sims’ collegiate career that he amassed three passing touchdowns in a game.
“About 18 months ago, I said I think our team has two NFL quarterbacks,” Dillingham said. “I think some people laughed at me or thought I was a little bit crazy, but I still believe that. I think Jeff Sims is a guy who can play on Sundays.”
Sims looked the part Saturday, spreading the wealth around to his playmakers all afternoon. Six Sun Devil pass catchers hauled in a grab, including sophomore wide receiver Derek Eusebio, who turned in a career day.
Eusebio hauled in six passes for 74 yards and scored his first touchdown at Mountain America Stadium.
“It was amazing to go out there and see Derek score,” Sims said. “Me and Derek have been coming in here the last two years running with the twos, and now it’s me and him going out there scoring.”
Eusebio, the former walk-on, carries the same underdog mindset that defines many on the roster.
“A lot of our guys have been counted out and told they are not good enough,” Dillingham said. “They were told they can’t play quarterback. They were laughed at and told they could not play Division I wideout. Whatever it is, a lot of guys on our team have been told no, and they have not been praised.”
Despite the injuries, the Sun Devils find themselves in familiar territory with only two games remaining. Fueled by an underdog mentality, Sims and Sun Devils hope to find themselves back in Dallas for the Big 12 Championship game.
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