COLLEGE STATION, Texas — In its entire program’s history, Arizona State had never played in front of a crowd larger than the sea of 107,523 spectators it stared down at Kyle Field on Saturday. Though, for three quarters, it didn’t seem that way.
In spite of multiple special teams blunders and a host of untimely penalties, it seemed like the Sun Devils had weathered the storm. ASU only trailed SEC contender No. 10 Texas A&M by four points, even outgaining the Aggies on offense by 130 total yards and four first downs going into the fourth quarter.
Then, it was hit by an avalanche — one that snowballed into 24 unanswered points for Texas A&M.
On the very second play of the fourth quarter, Aggies senior quarterback Marcel Reed delivered a touchdown strike to extend his side’s lead, halting any lingering ASU momentum. Then, the AP poll’s 10th-best team in the nation flexed its muscles in a dominant final 15 minutes.
Including three more touchdowns, with two pick-sixes off Sun Devil junior quarterback Cutter Boley, Texas A&M capitalized on ASU’s self-inflicted mistakes to roll to a 48-20 victory.
While Arizona State ended up losing by 28 total points against a very talented opponent, the Sun Devils bested the Aggies in multiple key categories, except one — the turnover battle.
“We looked like we belonged,” Dillingham said. “That wasn’t the issue. We just made the mistakes, starting with the staff, and those mistakes were critical.”
After two quick three-and-outs from the ASU defense, Texas A&M lined up to punt for a second time. However, under the glowing Texas sun, sophomore Cory Butler Jr. let the punt slip through his hands, giving the Aggies the ball right back in plus territory.
Soon after the special teams miscues, A&M opened up the scoring, as senior running back Rueben Owens II barreled forward into the blue end zone.
Then, with a 17-13 score in the second half, Sun Devil mistakes limited the upset big even more on the defensive end. On an incomplete pass, Ashton Stamps caught a piece of his matchup’s facemask to pile up 15 more penalty yards.
On a 4th and 2 during the same drive, a late flag flew in, penalizing junior defensive back Rodney Bimage Jr. for defensive holding, leading to another automatic first down. Four plays later, it was transfer receiver Isaiah Horton celebrating his side’s ability to capitalize on the ASU mistakes.
Still, many glaring positives emerged for the Sun Devils from the close effort. Boley looked calm and poised in the pocket, executing different run-pass options and effectively managing the game through three quarters.
After a historic Sun Devil debut, the Kentucky transfer threw for 254 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Boley coughed up both picks up under heavy pressure, one on a deflection and one on a late screen pass.
The most glaring bright spot for ASU? Senior wide receiver Reed Harris.
The Boston College transfer reeled in 189 yards through the air for two touchdowns, including a 58-yard strike from his QB1. Harris lined up all over the field, being utilized in many different screen options and deep-choice routes, giving him chunks of good yardage play after play.
“Reed’s a guy that’s really reliable and a guy that we trust the ball in his hands,” Boley said about his receiver. “He’s a guy I really trust having out there and throwing the ball to.”
The Sun Devil defense also flew around the fourth-biggest college football stadium in the country. They dropped the highly-rated mobile quarterback Reed two total times and forced him into many difficult throws and scenarios.
Reed finished the day with a 15-for-25 passing clip, throwing for 163 yards and one interception to record his lowest yards total since Week 11 of last season against Samford. ASU’s sixth-year defensive back Lyrik Rawls made his first memorable play in the maroon and gold, sprinting across the field and leaping for a highlight interception to record the only turnover of the game for the home side.
An interesting travel plan awaits Dillingham’s squad, following the defeat. ASU will stay in Texas and fly straight across the pond to complete their one-and-a-half week trip in London, England. With a 1-1 record, the Sun Devils will take on the Kansas Jayhawks at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 9 a.m. MST.
The historic matchup is the first-ever college football matchup to be played at Wembley Stadium and will contribute to the team’s extensive 18,375 total travel miles this 2026 season.
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