While Arizona State’s 31-28 win over Texas State on Thursday night was an incredible spectacle to witness, the game did not come without its fair share of controversy.
Following a knee from Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt, the Sun Devils began to celebrate with head coach Kenny Dillingham getting ready for a post-game ESPN interview. Then, the officiating crew stepped in.
According to the crew, Leavitt’s knee hit the ground on fourth and goal with one second remaining on the game clock, forcing the Sun Devils back to the sideline in need of one more stop on a late hail mary attempt from Texas State.
With one second left, the Bobcats completed a short pass before attempting a lateral, which ended up in the hands of a Sun Devil defender, ending the game and the late commotion for good.
If they put another second on this clock… No way,” Dillingham said before the final play. “I’m only out here right now, so I don’t get fined. That’s all I’ve got to say because that was ridiculous.”
Freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt did just enough to escape with the win, throwing 19 completions for 246 yards and a touchdown to interception ratio of 1-1. Arizona State now enters Week 4 after beating Wyoming, Mississippi State, and Texas State by a total of 109 to 58.
In the end, Dillingham and the Sun Devils secured their third win of the non-conference schedule, advancing to Week 4 undefeated for the first time since 2019.
