TEMPE– With 1:32 remaining in the fourth quarter and no timeouts, West Virginia faced a fourth down and four at its own 44-yard line. Like the clouds hovering above Mountain America Stadium, its momentum had grown throughout the second half.
And, after scoring two consecutive touchdowns, it snatched the lead from Arizona State for a brief moment before senior kicker Jesus Gomez’s 49-yard field goal that put the Sun Devils back on top 25-23.
As rain droplets landed, the Sun Devils searched for one more stop to seal the game. Making eye contact with freshman quarterback Scotty Fox. Jr., ASU junior cornerback Keith Abney read the eyes of the young signal caller and picked off the pass to help Arizona State deliver the knockout blow on Saturday afternoon.
Keith Abney calls game, as West Virginia turns the ball over on downs for the third time today. ASU takes over in victory formation, leading 25-23.@InfernoIntel pic.twitter.com/39s1RCimYr
— Mihir Sinhasan (@MihirSinhasan) November 15, 2025
The gritty Sun Devils (7-3, 5-2 Big 12) found a way to win another close game, edging out West Virginia (4-7, 2-6 Big 12) 25-23 to remain in contention to defend their Big 12 title.
“Do you get it done or not?” Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham said about his team’s ability to succeed in close games. “Our guys get it done. Nobody cares about the pain, show me the baby.”
Dillingham’s side felt the pain throughout the first quarter, with its defense reeling in its own territory. The offense suffered two three-and-outs, while the defense gave up a field goal on its first drive and was six yards away from falling behind by two possessions, had it not been for an open field tackle from senior safety Myles Rowser.
Two plays later, the Maroon and Gold forced a turnover on downs, igniting the home crowd that was still filing in for the early 11 a.m. local time kickoff.
After spearheading a 24-19 upset over Iowa State before the bye week, ASU senior quarterback Jeff Sims reprised his heroics. This time, beating his opponent threw the air. He logged 207 passing yards and three passing touchdowns, tying his career record, while rushing for an additional 81 yards.
“I spend a lot of time with the guys (after practice),” Sims said, whose three touchdowns went to as many receivers. “Just going through reads, going through the process of progressing the play that (offensive coordinator Marcus) Arroyo calls for me.”
Sims, and the offensive fireworks, especially sparked in the second quarter. He led a 10-play, 94-yard drive, culminating in a six-yard receiving touchdown to senior tight end Chamon Metayer.
Then, the scores became more erratic. After Sun Devil sophomore wide receiver Derek Eusebio logged a 19-yard receiving touchdown and senior tight end Cameron Harpole received a fake extra-point pass from senior kicker Jesus Gomez for the two-point conversion.
Shortly after, Mountaineer senior wide receiver Jeff Weimer bursted through the middle of the defense on a slant route for a 75-yard score.
Since West Virginia received the ball to start the second half, Dillingham’s side did not have a true middle eight. However, they still manufactured a swing around halftime.
First, the Sun Devils went into the locker room up 22-10 after a 33-yard receiving touchdown from junior running back Raleek Brown. Then, they forced a turnover on downs after stuffing sophomore linebacker Curtis Jones Jr., who came in to play running back, on the goal line.
“It’s either they get in or they don’t,” senior linebacker Jordan Crook, who had 14 tackles, said. “That’s just a mentality thing. Everybody just followed up on the goal-line stop. We just play hard.”
Although Jones found the end zone a few minutes later on another drive, the Sun Devil defense remained strong throughout the game, only allowing 68 rushing yards. Entering Saturday’s matchup, West Virginia rushed for at least 140 yards in 40 of its past 48 games.
But Sparky’s defensive stops were overshadowed by its miscues late. This included a 90-yard receiving touchdown from sophomore running back Cyncir Bowers. Going down the right sideline, he evaded multiple tackles before racing past ASU’s secondary into the end zone.
Dillingham’s passing offense, as they have done without sophomore quarterback Sam Leavitt and junior wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, relied on their backups to step up. Sophomore wide receiver Derek Eusebio led the way with six catches and 74 yards, along with a touchdown.
“Last year during camp (and) this year during camp, we were with the twos,” Sims said. “It was just me and him. Coming out here, and throwing the touchdown (to him), it was amazing to see that.”
Elsewhere, a pleased Dillingham commended his team’s penalty-free first half, remedying a recurring problem throughout the season. They committed five penalties, but only gave up 31 yards.
The Sun Devils now prepare for their visit to Colorado (3-7, 1-6 Big 12) next Saturday. With their Big 12 championship hopes in the balance, the contest remains crucial to the team’s postseason hopes, which look more promising after ASU got some help earlier in the day.
Nonetheless, Arizona State remains focused and unfettered ahead of the upcoming crucial stretch.
“Our program is like ‘when you succeed, this is what’s going to happen to you,'” Dillingham said. “That mindset, in the biggest moments, people aren’t playing scared, right? They’re playing comfortable and free.”
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