In a game packed with intensity and determination, the Arizona State Sun Devils triumphed over the University of Central Florida Knights, winning 35-31 at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe. Arizona State entered Saturday’s contest with momentum, having won three of their last four games, and their resilience was on full display as they battled back from multiple deficits. With this win, the Sun Devils now boast a 7-2 record and are officially bowl eligible, setting up an exciting end to their season.

With the big win and perhaps a shot at a 10-win season on the line, the Arizona State Sun Devils were ready for battle, albeit without their star running back, Cam Skattebo who missed the game due to shoulder soreness that occurred during last weeks win.

UCF came into the matchup after a win last week against Arizona which ended a five-game losing streak.

They carried that momentum into their first drive of the game. They drove the ball downfield on a 13-play, 75 yard touchdown drive, which ended with an 8-yard touchdown run by 5th Year Senior, RJ Harvey.

Arizona State tried to answer with a drive of their own but would be forced to turnover the ball on downs after failing to convert on a 4th and short on the UCF 40. But the Arizona State defense stepped up and held the Knights to a three-and out. The punt attempt by Mitch McCarthy for the Knights was blocked by #18 Martell Hughes for the Sun Devils, scooped up by ASU’s Montana Warren, and he returned the block for a 49-yard touchdown score.

The score tied up the game, 7-7 with 2:17 remaining in the opening quarter. The last time Arizona State blocked and returned a punt for a touchdown was back on November 11th, 2017. Eno Benjamin did it against UCLA.

On their net drive, the University of Central Florida Knights again drove down the field behind Redshirt-Freshman QB Dylan Rizk, but the drive stalled on the ASU 28 yard line. They would settle for the 45-yard Field Goal by Grant Reddick, extending the UCF lead over the Sun Devils to 10-7 with 12:39 remaining in the second quarter.

Arizona State would allow a sack on their next drive, setting them back to 2nd and 20 on their own 15. They would not be able to convert over the next two plays and were forced to punt. UCF got the ball on their own 34 yard line to start their drive.

UCF would once again drive the ball into Arizona State territory on an 11-play, 66 yard drive which culminated in a six yard touchdown rush for the score by Jacurri Brown. The Knights extended their lead after a successful extra-point to 17-7 over ASU with 4:56 remaining in the first half.

After a kickoff by UCF that landed in the end zone, Arizona State would start their next drive on their own 25 yard line. And this time, they were finally able to answer on offense. After a nine play, 75 yard drive, the Sun Devils would get into the end zone on a Sam Leavitt 4-yard touchdown pass to Chamon Matayer. The extra point by Lewis was successful and ASU cut into UCF’s lead, 17-14 with :56 remaining in the half.

After a kickoff that saw UCF barely get to the one yard line after hesitating to take it out of the end zone, Arizona State would pick off the ball (Latterence Welch) and would be returned for the nine-yard touchdown. The score (after successful PAT) game ASU the lead over UCF, 21-17, with :49 seconds left in the half.

Just before the half ended, UCF would miss a 57 yard field goal attempt by Reddick, sending the game to halftime with the score 21-17 in favor of Arizona State.

Arizona State received the ball to open the second half, returning the kickoff to their own 24 yard line. Their drive would stall just after the midfield marker. UCF would get their first shot in the second half after the punt resulted in a touchback, giving the Knights the ball on their own 25 yard line.

The Knight’s drive would stall on their own 47 yard line. Arizona State would get the ball back on their own four yard line after the punt was downed by the UCF punt unit. With 8:18 remaining in Q3, Arizona State still held a slim 21-13 lead.

After a quick three-and-out, Arizona State punted the ball back to UCF on the ASU 44 yard line. A ten yard holding penalty by Central Florida moved the ball back to their own 44 yard line. This time the Knights would drive to pay dirt and score on a RJ Harvey eight yard rush up the middle. After a successful PAT, the Knights retook the lead over Arizona State, 24-21, with 5:03 remaining in Q3.

But the Sun Devils would respond with an 8-play, 75 yard scoring drive with Sam Leavitt finding Jordyn Tyson in the back right corner of the end zone with a nine-yard strike. After a successful extra point by Parker Lewis, Arizona State now had the lead over UCF, 28-24 with :46 remaining in the third quarter.

But that lead did not last long. The Knights responded with a six play, 75 yard drive of their own which ended with a RJ Harvey 13-yard touchdown run to the left. UCF had the lead after the successful point after, 31-28, with 13:04 remaining in the final frame.

Arizona State didn’t manage a first down on their next drive and was forced to give the ball right back to Central Florida. UCF would start their drive on the Arizona State 37 yard line. However, the Arizona State defense held the Knights to a 46-yard field goal attempt, which was off the uprights and NO GOOD!

The Sun Devils would capitalize on the miss with a nine play, 75 yard touchdown drive, ending with a touchdown pass from Sam Leavitt to Jordyn Tyson, a 13-yard strike to the left. Arizona State now had the lead over Central Florida 35-31 with 4:55 remaining in the game.

UCF would start their drive on their own 25 yard line. On 4th and short on their own 34, UCF had no other choice but to go for it with time winding down. RJ Harvey was stuffed by Xavion Alford and Myles Rowser, forcing the turnover on downs with 3:16 left on the clock.

Arizona State would run down the clock to :13 remaining and faced a 4th and 8 from the UCF 22 yard line. Sam Leavitt burnt 8 seconds off the clock with a scramble and a throw out of bounds.

With the ball on their own 22 yard line, UCF had one final play to try and go 78 yards for the win.

Dylan Rizk threw the ball short to the right to Jarrad Baker, and he tried to get out of bounds, but was tackled in bounds by Martell Hughes. With no timeouts remaining, the final second ran off the clock and Arizona State won the game by the final score of 35-31.

With the win, Arizona State improves to 7-2 on the season. They will face #19 Kansas State on the road next Saturday.

Stars of the Game:

ASU QB Sam Leavitt 16-25 161 Passing Yards, 3 Passing Touchdowns

ASU WR Jordyn Tyson 7 Receptions, 99 Receiving Yards, 2 Touchdowns

ASU RB Kyson Brown 18 Rushes, 73 Rushing Yards

UCF RB RJ Harvey 25 Rushes, 125 Rushing Yards, 2 Receptions, 10 Receiving Yards