Tempe, AZ– The Arizona State Sun Devils clinched a narrow 35-31 victory over the UCF Knights in a thrilling matchup on November 9, 2024, at Mountain America Stadium. Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt, wearing jersey No. 10, delivered an impressive performance, throwing for 161 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, sporting No. 0, was a standout, securing two of those touchdowns and recording seven receptions for 99 yards.
As they enter their inaugural season in the Big 12, the Sun Devils are solidly in the hunt for the conference championship. With this win, they are now tied for third place in the Big 12 standings at 4-2, alongside Iowa State (4-2, 7-2), Kansas State (4-2, 7-2), and West Virginia (4-2, 5-4). Next week, ASU will hit the road to face Kansas State before returning home on November 23 to take on the undefeated BYU Cougars (9-0, 6-0).
The first quarter lacked the usual intensity, particularly with the absence of running back Cam Skattebo, who missed the game due to an upper body injury sustained against Oklahoma State. The Sun Devils felt his absence, struggling with several short drives that put pressure on their defense. Nevertheless, Kyson Brown stepped up, rushing for 73 yards on 18 carries.
The atmosphere at the stadium electrified when linebacker Martell Hughes blocked a UCF punt, which was recovered by safety Montana Warren, who sprinted 46 yards for a touchdown. Just before halftime, Sun Devils left tackle Welch intercepted a pass and returned it for another touchdown, giving ASU a surprising 21-17 lead despite UCF dominating time of possession in the first half.
UCF running back RJ Harvey showcased his skills, rushing for 127 yards on 25 carries and scoring three touchdowns. The Knights fell to 4-6 overall and 2-5 in Big 12 play. They will have a week off to regroup before facing the West Virginia Mountaineers on November 23.
Tyson ignited the Sun Devils’ offense with a critical 75-yard drive that took 4 minutes and 20 seconds off the clock, putting ASU ahead 28-24 with just 43 seconds left in the third quarter.
This close victory highlights the Sun Devils’ successful season as they build momentum heading into challenging upcoming matchups. Under head coach Kenny Dillingham, the team has made significant strides, bolstered by a knowledgeable coaching staff that includes Defensive Coordinator Brian Ward, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Marcus Arroyo, and former NFL star Hines Ward as Wide Receivers Coach.
Dillingham’s familiarity with UCF head coach Gus Malzahn, from their time together on the Auburn coaching staff in 2019, added another layer to the matchup. Dillingham was the offensive coordinator for a team that finished No. 14 in the final polls that year. Malzahn, now in his fourth season at UCF, expressed admiration for Dillingham’s rapid success, noting his hard work and ability to connect with players.
While Dillingham keeps in touch with Malzahn, he acknowledges the difficulty of predicting an opponent’s strategy based on past experiences. “Sometimes you can hold too much info… you’re going to chase ghosts,” he remarked.
Initially predicted to finish at the bottom of the Big 12, the Sun Devils have exceeded expectations this season, marking their best performance since 2014. They are closing in on the top of the Big 12 standings and may soon make their first appearance in the Top 25 college football polls under Dillingham.
In recognition of Veterans Day, the Sun Devils honored the late Pat Tillman by wearing special PT42 helmets during the game.
