ASU (3-1) began conference play with a bang, beating Baylor 27-24 with a last second 43-yard field goal from kicker Jesus Gomez.
The Devils were looking to keep the train rolling against the No. 24 ranked team in the country, The TCU Horned Frogs (3-0).
The Frogs took the first strike when redshirt senior running back Trent Battle took a halfback toss all the way to the house for a 13-yard rushing touchdown, putting TCU up 7-0.
On the next drive ASU was able to get into field goal range but Jesus Gomez missed the 46-yard attempt.
This was Gomez’s first miss of the year.
TCU’s offense’s success continued as sophomore running back Jeremy Payne capped off an 8-play drive with a rushing touchdown, making it 14-0.
The Frogs defense forced a turnover on downs giving them fantastic field position, a position they would take advantage of with a 27-yard field goal off the leg of redshirt sophomore kicker Nate McCashland making it 17-0 Frogs.
It took about 25 minutes, but ASU finally got on the board, when QB Sam Leavitt fired a deep ball downfield to a wide-open receiver Jordyn Tyson for a 57-yard touchdown, cutting the lead to 10.
ASU’s defense forced a three-and-out and got the ball back.
Leavitt’s legs would be the story of the drive, having a 24-yard rush, and then capping off the drive with a 7-yard rushing touchdown, making it 17-14 TCU with 1:56 remaining in the half.
ASU’s defense forced another three-and-out, getting the ball back with 1:33 left and a chance to take the lead before half.
The chance was unsuccessful, Leavitt was sacked by defensive end Devean Deal and fumbled the ball, recovered by TCU corner Jamel Johnson.
TCU got the ball to start the second, kneeled and took it to halftime.
ASU’s defense started the second half off strong, in the redzone TCU quarterback Josh Hoover fired a pass over the middle that was picked off by ASU safety Boogie Wilson.
ASU followed that up with a 12-play 83-yard drive ending in a 26-yard Gomez field goal to tie the game at 17.
But TCU answered back with an eight-play drive ending in a one-yard QB sneak from Josh Hoover to put TCU back up by 7.
ASU’s next drive was 13 plays and 67 yards, but came up with zero points.
On fourth-and-goal at the two-yard-line Leavitt’s pass intended for tight-end Chamon Metayer forced a turnover on downs.
ASU’s defense forced a three-and- out, giving ASU a huge opportunity at the opposing 38. They ended up in field goal range, but Gomez missed the 43-yard attempt.
The Frogs held on to their 7-point lead.
ASU’s defense got another stop giving them the ball back with 5:42 left in the game.
ASU finally capitalized in the redzone.
On fourth-and- goal at the five-yard-line Leavitt found Jordyn Tyson in the endzone for a five-yard touchdown to tie the game with 1:56 left.
TCU’s two-minute-drill was immediately halted, as Josh Hoover dropped back to pass, he was strip sacked by Devils defensive end Prince Dorbah, the fumble was also recovered by Dorbah, giving ASU the ball at the 15-yard line.
ASU was able to get points when Gomez drilled a 23-yarder to give the Devils a three-point lead with 1:14 to go.
Coach Kenny Dillingham expressed confidence in Gomez despite two misses.
“I never had a doubt, if we had to kick a 56-yarder to win that thing, I wouldn’t have looked he would’ve made it,” Dillingham said.
On the second play of the drive Josh Hoover was picked off by sophomore linebacker Martell Hughes to seal the 27-24 win for ASU.
Head Coach Kenny Dillingham had a lot of praise for the young linebacker.
“He comes to work every day, he’s Barrett honors so he’s a smart person, he’s mature, we were watching the Cardinals game last night, it was me him and Keyshaun (Keyshaun Elliot), we were like hey Martell next year you’re the dude, and he said man we’re gonna be young, and Keyshaun was like you’re gonna be a junior, it’s not young, you’re an upperclassmen so I mean that’s how fast this goes. He’s growing up in front of our eyes and that’s what’s awesome about college football,” Dillingham said.
The win moves ASU to 4-1 and 2-0 in the Big 12.
The Devils have a bye next week then head to Utah to take on the Utes.
