The Arizona State Sun Devils proved once again that they’re a team to take seriously in the Big 12. Friday night at Mountain America Stadium, ASU rallied from a 17-0 deficit to topple the 24th-ranked TCU Horned Frogs, 27-24, in front of a roaring home crowd. With a balanced offensive attack and a relentless defensive performance, the Sun Devils notched their second straight Big 12 victory and improved to 4-1 on the season.

First Half: Early Trouble for the Sun Devils

Arizona State’s opening drive sputtered, and the Horned Frogs quickly struck first. TCU running back Trent Battle broke loose for a 13-yard touchdown to give the visitors a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter.

The second quarter started with more trouble for ASU. After missing a 46-yard field goal attempt, the Sun Devils’ defense faltered as TCU quarterback Josh Hoover connected with DJ Rogers for a 39-yard strike that set up a Jeremy Payne rushing score. Another drive ended in a field goal after an ASU gamble failed, and suddenly the Horned Frogs led 17-0 with just over six minutes to go before halftime.

But ASU wasn’t done. Quarterback Sam Leavitt found Jordyn Tyson for a 57-yard touchdown to put the Sun Devils on the board. Then, after forcing a TCU punt, Leavitt used his legs on a 24-yard scramble before finishing the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run. Despite a late fumble, the Sun Devils entered halftime trailing only 17-14.
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​Second Half: Defense, Resilience, and a Wild Finish

TCU opened the third quarter with a golden opportunity after recovering ASU’s failed onside kick. However, Hoover was intercepted by Adrian Wilson in the red zone, a massive swing that gave the Sun Devils life.

Leavitt and company marched back, highlighted by a 44-yard bomb to Jaren Hamilton. Though ASU settled for a field goal, they tied the game 17-17 midway through the third. TCU responded with a Josh Hoover 1-yard rushing touchdown to retake the lead, 24-17, entering the fourth quarter.

Early in the final frame, Arizona State was stuffed on 4th and goal, but their defense held firm and kept the Horned Frogs pinned. After a missed field goal attempt, the Sun Devils’ defense again delivered two crucial sacks to give the offense another chance. With less than two minutes left, Leavitt connected with Jordyn Tyson for a 4-yard touchdown to tie the game at 24.

Then came the game-changing moment. With TCU looking to mount a final drive, Prince Dorbah stripped Hoover and recovered the fumble, giving ASU the ball deep in Horned Frogs territory. After a false start on 4th and goal, Jesus Gomez drilled the 23-yard field goal to give Arizona State its first lead, 27-24, with 1:14 left.
​Any hopes of a TCU miracle vanished moments later as Martell Hughes picked off Hoover, sealing the Sun Devils’ stunning comeback win.

Stars of the Game

What’s Next

​Arizona State (4-1, 2-0 Big 12) heads to Salt Lake City to face Utah on October 11 in another critical conference matchup. Meanwhile, TCU (3-1, 0-1 Big 12) will look to regroup after letting this one slip away.
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​**Main photo by Rhonda Costa