Grading the ASU stunner at Kansas State as huge home game vs BYU looms next

Posted by Admin November 17, 2024 Football

MANHATTAN, Kansas — Don’t look now, but the team picked to finish last in the Big 12 is near the top and still has a shot at making it to the title game.

The Arizona State Sun Devils (8-2, 5-2) furthered their cause with a 24-14 upset of No. 16 Kansas State (7-3, 4-3) on Saturday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. It marked the second win over a nationally ranked foe and came against an opponent that entered the game 5-0 on its home turf.

Only Colorado and BYU, both 6-1, have a better conference mark than that of the Sun Devils.

It was the third straight win for ASU, which last lost at Cincinnati on Oct. 19, a game it played without starting quarterback Sam Leavitt, who was injured.

The win left ASU tied for third in the conference with Iowa State.

The Sun Devils can improve their position with a win Saturday over BYU, which lost for the first time this season, to Kansas.

The victory could also boost ASU into the national rankings since they had been receiving votes and registered a win over a ranked team on the road.

“It’s a special group,” coach Kenny Dillingham said. “I talked about how good the offseason was. I said I think we’re pretty good but you don’t know in today’s era because of all the transfers. You don’t know what the relative standard of good is anymore because everybody has new teams all the time.

“I think we’re good. I think we got something. This is a special group and it’s kind of crazy when you think about, like I said 35 to 44 guys have the ability to return and that’s even more special but we have a big game this week versus BYU and if the Valley is not activated now, I don’t know.”

Let’s review the latest win:

What went right

Got off to a quick start: The easiest way to silence a home crowd is to get off to a quick start and ASU did just that, scoring early after getting an interception on Kansas State’s first possession and scoring. The crowd went silent after ASU made it 14-0 early in the second quarter. It was 21-0 at the half and 24-0 before the Wildcats scored for the first time. Yes, Kansas State made a run with 14 straight points in the third and fourth quarters but it was a game in which ASU was very much in control from the start.

Third-down success: One of the biggest factors in any win, particularly on the road, is getting first downs and prolonging drives. ASU went 9-for-15 on third downs — and they failed on the last three. So they converted nine of the first 12, which is an astounding number.

Mixed in some passing plays early: Kansas State came in as the No. 1 team in the Big 12 and the No. 8 team nationally in rushing defense; this was not a game where ASU’s best strategy was lining up Cam Skattebo and letting him run through a wall. With Skattebo coming off an injury, that wouldn’t have been wise. He was held in check with 73 yards on 25 tries. But the Sun Devils had some success with short passing routes, which took some of the pressure off the line of scrimmage.

Won the takeaway battle: ASU entered the contest third in the conference and 21st in the country in turnover margin and they got another three while committing only one. A plus-two in a game usually means you’re on the winning side. Points off turnovers favored ASU 14-6.

What went wrong

A crucial fumble that cost ASU some points: The Sun Devils were up 24-0 and driving with a second and 4 at the Kansas State 39. Jordan Tyson caught a 17-yard pass from Leavitt that took the ball down to the 22 with 5:15 left in the third but fumbled, and the ball was recovered by the Wildcats. Any points there and it probably would have been a fatal blow for the home team. But Kansas State scored on that possession and gained momentum for the first time in the contest.

What to watch this week

Injuries: Tight end Chamon Metayer and defensive lineman Justin Wodtly left the game with injuries and did not return.

Effect of the win: Despite the team’s success, the fan turnout for the last home game against Central Florida was disappointing given that the weather has been cooler and it was a 5 p.m. start. Next comes the last home game of the season against the first-place team in the conference.

Personnel notes

Receiver Jake Smith did not make the trip to Manhattan. Melquan Stovall was used as the kickoff return man in his place. Skattebo and Keyshaun Elliott returned to the lineup after sitting out last week’s win over Central Florida . . . Emmitt Bohle started at right guard for the first time this season in place of Kyle Scott . . . Center Leif Fautanu and nickel Shamari Simmons boast the longest consecutive-games-started streak, each now at 22 games.

Grades

Offense (B): The Sun Devils racked up 398 yards, right at their average of 399.6. Of that total, 275 came through the air while 123 came on the ground against a foe that had only been giving up 99.4 rushing. Sam Leavitt went 21-for-34 for 275 yards with three touchdowns. It marked his third straight contest in which he has thrown for three scores and not thrown an interception. Jordyn Tyson had 12 receptions for 176 yards, both career highs. ASU had a time of possession edge of 36:36 to 23:24.

Defense (B): This is a little deceiving because Kansas State finished with 412 yards, but a lot of that came in garbage time and the Wildcats had to throw because they were down by multiple scores. ASU did get three takeaways and scored off two of those. Kansas State went for three fourth downs and made only one, with Xavion Alford and Caleb McCullough teaming up for a stop in the first quarter when Kansas State was on its 47. LB Jordan Crook had a team-high nine tackles. Alford and Shamari Simmons had interceptions and Javan Robinson had a fumble recovery.

Special teams (B): ASU got a 47-yard field goal from Parker Lewis, its first made field goal since Sept. 21 against Texas Tech. Punter Kanyon Floyd averaged 41.5 on four kicks with two downed inside the 20. It was a rare occasion where the ASU unit fared better than its opponent here as Kansas State botched two field goal attempts.

They said it

ASU coach Kenny Dillingham

“I think we made a statement that we’re a good football team. You can look at the records and every game you play in the Big 12, you never know who can win. So you can say, this record, that record, are you going to beat a good team? Are you going to beat a bad team? I know we beat two top 20 teams in the country this year. One we played at home, one on the road. That is what I know. I know we lost to two good football teams on the road, one without our starting quarterback … . It means a lot to these guys to come in here with that chip on their shoulder and do something that really nobody thought we could do.”

ASU QB Sam Leavitt on his connection with Jordyn Tyson

“Jordyn just has a feel for the game and constantly works on it. Down to every single rep, one on ones, and 11-on-11 situations. I go up and tell him what I was thinking , how he ran his route and everything like that. He can testify to that. We talk about almost every single rep. So we get in the game and then you see a look and he knows exactly what I want.”

Kansas State coach Chris Klieman on ASU WR Jordyn Tyson

“Jordyn Tyson is the best wide receiver that I’ve seen.”

Up next

The Sun Devils return to Mountain America Stadium for the final home game this season against Big 12 frontrunner Brigham Young, who was upset by Kansas late Saturday night. The game will start at 1:30 p.m. and air on ESPN.