Chaos erupts as No. 21 Arizona State upsets No. 14 BYU
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Fans rushed the field prematurely as one second was put back on the game clock after an official review. Christian Petersen/Getty Images
In college football, chaos is often the name of the game, and that was certainly the case on Saturday when No. 21 Arizona State pulled off a dramatic 28-23 upset over No. 14 Brigham Young in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils’ victory was a mix of thrilling moments, wild endings, and emotional fan celebrations as they took down a ranked opponent and continued their surprising season.
The game was full of drama, especially as BYU made a late attempt at a comeback. The Cougars were trailing 21-3 at halftime but rallied in the second half. Despite the momentum shift, BYU’s quarterback Jake Retzlaff threw his second interception of the game with just over a minute remaining, effectively sealing Arizona State’s victory while they held a five-point lead.
However, the final minutes were anything but ordinary. Instead of attempting to increase their lead, Arizona State tried to run out the clock by moving backward, a strategy intended to ensure the game ended without giving BYU another chance. This plan nearly backfired in the most unexpected way. As quarterback Sam Leavitt tossed the ball downfield on a fourth-down play with time running out, the Arizona State student section rushed the field, thinking the game had ended. In the confusion, the officials reviewed the play and determined that one second remained on the clock, delaying the celebration and forcing the fans to clear the field.
After a nearly 13-minute delay, during which the goalposts were re-set and fans were escorted off the field, BYU had one final chance to win with a Hail Mary attempt. Unfortunately for the Cougars, Retzlaff’s throw fell a few yards short of the end zone, and the Sun Devils held on for the win.
Leavitt, who had a solid performance throughout the game, finished with 247 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Running back Cam Skattebo was crucial to Arizona State’s victory, rushing for 147 yards and scoring three touchdowns, including a key score that helped put the Sun Devils in control.
This win is just the latest in a remarkable season for Arizona State, who has defied expectations. Heading into the season, the Sun Devils were predicted to finish last in their first year in the Big 12. However, they now sit at 9-2, winners of four straight, and with a chance to play for the Big 12 title and perhaps a spot in the College Football Playoff. The victory over BYU also ensured that Arizona State finished undefeated at Mountain America Stadium, marking their first perfect home record since 2004.
Head coach Kenny Dillingham, while not getting into specifics about the final moments, was thrilled with his team’s performance. “We won the football game,” Dillingham told reporters with enthusiasm. “We beat another ranked team in Mountain America Stadium. This is all about the guys. These guys battled, they fought, they found a way to win.” The celebration on the field was a testament to the pride and passion the Sun Devils have this season. Dillingham added with a grin, “We rushed the field three times this year. How many people get to do that? Come to Arizona State because there’s a lot more of that coming forward.”
On the other hand, BYU’s loss was a bitter one, as the Cougars dropped their second consecutive game, falling to 9-2. Head coach Kalani Sitake was understanding of the situation, especially after the field-rushing delay. “They are so excited to get the win,” Sitake said, acknowledging the fans’ enthusiasm. “It’s two ranked teams that were playing. All we heard was there might be one second left and I am going to cling on as much hope as I can. It’s okay. None of our guys are hurt, so there was no big issue there.”
The loss to Arizona State has left BYU’s Big 12 title hopes in limbo. While they controlled their own destiny heading into November, the defeat and a stunning upset by No. 16 Colorado, who lost to Kansas, has thrown the Big 12 title race wide open. With one game remaining in the regular season, it’s still unclear which teams will face off for the Big 12 Championship at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on December 7.
For Arizona State, their attention now turns to the “Territorial Cup” against in-state rival University of Arizona, where they’ll look to keep their momentum alive. BYU, meanwhile, will host Houston next Saturday in a must-win game to keep their conference title hopes alive.
This chaotic, thrilling game proved once again that anything can happen on a Saturday in college football—and Arizona State’s remarkable upset will be remembered as one of the most exciting moments of the season.
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