Arizona State's football team encountered a significant setback this past Saturday, going down 42-10 against fierce competitors, the Utah Utes—an outcome that left Sun Devil fans chagrined and anxious. Starting quarterback Sam Leavitt's absence was keenly felt, as his replacement, sixth-year vet Jeff Sims, struggled to fill those shoes, a source of woe for a team with hopes to make a mark in the Big 12. Leavitt's murky injury left ASU in dire straits, having been listed as doubtful on Thursday, as reported by Arizona Sports, only amplifying concerns for future matchups.
Amid inclement weather, ASU's normally sturdy defense faltered, conceding 276 rushing yards to Utah—a figure that overshadowed their previous high of 119 yards in a single game. Utah quarterback Devon Dampier wreaked havoc, earning 120 yards and three touchdowns on just 10 carries. The loss marks the largest margin of defeat for ASU since 2023, with Sims' performance, completing 18 of 38 pass attempts for 124 yards, doing little to stave off comparisons to ASU's previous gaping loss under his stewardship in 2024, against Cincinnati. Despite a bleak passing game, Sims showed some mettle on the ground, an effort ultimately overshadowed by the team's overall unraveling.
Looking ahead to the Week 8 clash with Texas Tech, ASU's prospects hang in the balance. With the return of Sam Leavitt uncertain as of yet, the pressure mounts for the Sun Devils to claw back into contention for the Big 12 title. ASU's head coach, Kenny Dillingham's earlier stated, "At the end of the day, we got to protect people from people"—rings ever more true as the team navigates its path forward without their ailing quarterback, as Arizona Sports reported.
Arizona State will next play on Oct. 18 against Texas Tech, at 1 p.m. MST, where fans will surely be glued to the screens in anticipation of a season turnaround. The game, apart from its high stakes, will also test the resilience of a team determined to overcome injury woes and setbacks. ASU supporters will eagerly await updates on Leavitt's condition and hope his return to the field will provide the needed boost for the challenging games ahead. Fans can catch the action on 98.7 or stream it through the Arizona Sports app, with television coverage provided by FOX.
