In an electrifying showdown at Mountain America Stadium, the Arizona State Sun Devils, ranked 21st, hosted the 14th-ranked BYU Cougars with Big 12 Championship and College Football Playoff hopes on the line. The game featured high-stakes drama, a nuclear atmosphere, and incredible plays on both sides of the ball, culminating in a heart-pounding finish that saw ASU triumph 28-23.

The atmosphere was almost NUCLEAR at Mountain America Stadium on Saturday with the 21st ranked Arizona State Sun Devils hosted the 14th ranked BYU Cougars for the possibility of going to the BIG 12 Championship if the Devils win out.

The ASU defense stepped up first, stopping BYU on 4th down on the ASU 46. The Arizona State Sun Devils offense matched the defensive intensity by marching down the field, scoring on a Cam Skattebo 3-yard TD run. The score capped off a 10-play, 54 yard drive, giving ASU the lead 7-0 with 6:51 remaining in the first quarter.

The defense stepped up again with BYU driving past midfield on their next drive. Jake Retzlaff was intercepted by Jordan Crook after the ball was tipped at the line.

BYU would get the ball back after a Sam Leavitt pass was tipped at the line and intercepted by Tanner Wall. BYU got the ball at their own 35 after a block in the back penalty on the Cougars.

However, BYU’s drive would stall shortly after making it on the ASU side of the field. They would punt, and Arizona State would receive the ball on their own 4-yard line after the punt was downed by the Cougars. 11:19 remaining in the second quarter.

Arizona State responded with their longest scoring drive of the season on a 12 play, 96 yard drive, capped off by a Cam Skattebo 4-yard touchdown run. The point after was good, and Arizona State extended their lead to 14-0 of the BYU Cougars, 14-0 with 4:29 remaining in the half.

ASU Head Coach Kenny Dillingham then pulled a trick out of his hat, with the onside kick, recovered by Play Johnson. And of course, Cam Skattebo would top off this drive, with yet another touchdown run, this one from 23 yards out. Arizona State extended their lead over the BYU Cougars, 21-0, with 1:53 remaining in the half.

BYU managed to get on the scoreboard with a field goal just before half.

Arizona State received the ball to start the second half. They drove down the field but were forced to turnover on downs after a failed4th and goal attempt.

The Cougars would drive down the field and score a touchdown on a 12 play, 96 yard drive, ending with a Keelan Marion 10 yard touchdown rush. The two point conversion was no good. With 2:49 remaining in the third quarter, ASU still led 21-9.

Arizona State answered right back with a two-play, 75 yard touchdown drive. Sam Leavitt hit Xavior Guillory for a 61 yard touchdown reception down the left side. The extra point was good, and the Sun Devils extended their lead over BYU, 28-9.

The Cougars, with a sense of desperation, operated a four play, 75 yard drive in just 1:17. Jake Retzlaff hit Jojo Phillips on a 21-yard score. The two point conversion was successful, and BYU pulled within 28-17 with :43 remaining in the third quarter.

After Arizona State’s next drive ended in a punt, BYU would take over on their own 12 yard line with 12:28 remaining in the game.

The Cougars, led by Jake Retzlaff, drove down the field in 3:44 on a nine play, 88 yard drive, ending with a Keelan Marion 1-yard touchdown run. The two point conversion was no good. BYU cut into ASU’s lead again, 28-23 with 8:44 remaining in the game.

The BYU kickoff resulted in a touchback. Arizona State received the ball on their own 25 yard line. Led by Sam Leavitt and Cam Skattebo, Arizona State would drive down the field to the BYU 11 yard line. On a 4th and 1 from the 11, Arizona State chose to go for it instead of kicking the field goal that would possibly put them up by 8 over BYU with time running out. Instead, they decided to go with a Leavitt carry and he was tackled short of the line.

The Cougars would get a shot at the game winning drive with 2:34 remaining and the ball on their own 11 yard line. After a pair of first downs, BYU had the ball on their own 32 yard line at the two-minute timeout.

BYU got the ball to the ASU 39 yard line when Jake Retzlaff was intercepted by Javan Robinson. Robinson returned the interception for 64 yards to the BYU 7 yard line.

Arizona State would attempt to run the clock out, after multiple QB runs backwards, and multiple delay of game penalties, ASU would have a 4th and 49 from the BYU 49 with :07 remaining. Sam Leavitt would try to take up the remaining time with a throw out of bounds. The student section stormed the field, even though the referee announced the play was under review to see if there was any time left for BYU to have a final play.

Even with the announcement (multiple announcememnts) that the play was under review, the students continued to storm the field. After review, it was decided that there was one second remaining on the clock and BYU would have one final shot.

After a lengthy delay to clear the field, Jake Retzlaff and BYU had one last chance with a Hail Mary from the 49. The pass was broken up by Javan Robinson at the ASU 3 yard line, the students once again stormed the field, and ASU would defeat BYU by the final score of 28-23.

Arizona State's victory over BYU showcased their grit, resilience, and championship aspirations. From Cam Skattebo's dominant runs to Javan Robinson's game-sealing interception, the Sun Devils delivered a performance to remember. With the Big 12 Championship and a potential playoff berth within reach, ASU fans can dare to dream big as the season continues.