By Doug Haller and Sam Khan Jr.
TEMPE, Ariz. — A gradual begin and an early-season loss took Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt off the nationwide radar, however Saturday the second-year quarterback provided a reminder of why he’s one in all school soccer’s most fearless playmakers.
After a livid Texas Tech rally, throughout which the No. 7 Crimson Raiders scored two touchdowns in two minutes to take the lead, Leavitt led Arizona State to the profitable landing on its ultimate possession to publish a wild 26-22 win and deal the Large 12 front-runners their first loss at a sold-out Mountain America Stadium.
One week after sitting out Arizona State’s blowout loss at Utah with a foot harm, Leavitt led the Solar Devils on a 10-play, 75-yard drive that ended when working again Raleek Brown powered into the top zone from one yard out with 34 seconds left. The important thing play: On fourth-and-2 from the ASU 45, Leavitt rolled proper, wanting like he deliberate to run for the first-down marker.
As a substitute, he fired a go to standout receiver Jordyn Tyson for a 33-yard pickup. The Solar Devils scored the go-ahead landing three performs later. Texas Tech’s last-gasp go fell incomplete in the long run zone.
Arizona State’s victory didn’t considerably alter the Large 12 race, nevertheless it proved two issues. One, as gifted as Texas Tech (6-1, 3-1 within the Large 12) seems to be, nobody will distance themselves this early. And, two, the defending convention champion Solar Devils (5-2, 3-1) aren’t but able to fold.
Every week in the past, they’d seemed like a special, weaker workforce. On a moist evening in Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah had embarrassed the Solar Devils. Leavitt’s absence definitely was an element. However extra telling was Arizona State’s protection, which missed tackles and seemed ill-prepared in a dismal 42-10 loss.
Leavitt made his presence felt towards Texas Tech. He prolonged performs. He threw a brief landing go to Tyson. He offered his regular fireplace. Except for the fourth quarter, Arizona State’s protection additionally made a huge impact.
Crimson Raiders come again to pack
The Crimson Raiders had entered as one in all 11 undefeated groups within the Soccer Bowl Subdivision. They have been one in all two groups that ranked within the high 10 in each scoring offense and protection. Their plus-35.3 level differential was the nation’s largest. Maybe most impressively, via six weeks they’d by no means trailed. Not for a second.
Numbers and rankings, nevertheless, could be deceptive earlier than Halloween. However coaches don’t lie. After every Texas Tech win, Large 12 coaches made certain everybody knew the Crimson Raiders, buoyed by an epic offseason spending spree, have been legit contenders.
Kansas coach Lance Leipold after a 42-17 loss: “They confirmed they’re a top-10 workforce within the nation, and deservedly so.”
Houston coach Willie Fritz after a 35-11 loss: “They’re a extremely, actually good soccer workforce. Very properly coached. They usually’re very very gifted.”
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham after a 34-10 loss: “I by no means would’ve believed for those who would’ve mentioned we’d lose the road of scrimmage. By no means would’ve believed that in 1,000,000 years. However we didn’t.”
Texas Tech performed Saturday with out quarterback Behren Morton, who was accessible solely in case of emergency due to a leg harm. The succesful Will Hammond began in his place, however the Crimson Raiders struggled to seek out offensive rhythm. By means of three quarters, their solely landing got here after an Arizona State turnover on downs offered a brief subject. They trailed 19-7. But, they rallied.
Within the ultimate 4 minutes, Hammond ran for a landing and threw for one more to present Texas Tech a 22-19 lead with 2 minutes left. Leavitt and the Solar Devils took it from there.
Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire nonetheless has an opportunity to achieve the CFP Playoffs. (Photograph by Christian Petersen / Getty Photographs)
Does loss smash Crimson Raiders’ CFP hopes?
It’s not time to panic but, however the loss shrinks the margin for error a bit for the Crimson Raiders, no less than as a possible at-large workforce. In the event that they win out and end the common season with one loss, they might nearly definitely nonetheless be within the bracket, no matter whether or not they win the Large 12.
A highway loss towards Arizona State workforce might be forgivable within the eyes of the choice committee, particularly because the Crimson Raiders have been with out their beginning quarterback and crawled out of a double-digit deficit to take a late fourth-quarter lead.
In keeping with Austin Mock’s CFP projections mannequin, Texas Tech went into Saturday’s sport with an 82 p.c probability of creating the Playoff. The loss diminished the Crimson Raiders’ odds to 68 p.c.
But when Texas Tech drops any of its final 5 video games and concludes the common season as a two-loss workforce, it’ll muddy the image in a serious method.If Texas Tech finishes the season robust and nonetheless wins the Large 12 championship, that will render this loss moot, as a result of the Crimson Raiders could be almost assured of getting a bid as one of many 5 highest-ranked convention champions.
The well being of Morton might be essential. Hammond performed properly down the stretch, however Arizona State restricted Hammond and the Tech offense to only seven factors within the first three quarters.
The Crimson Raiders play only one ranked workforce of their final 5 video games: BYU on Nov. 8. Just one different workforce left on their schedule, UCF, is presently above .500.
