Arizona State Fans Storm Field Early in Wild Finish Against BYU
TEMPE, Ariz. — If you thought college football couldn’t get any crazier, think again. Saturday night’s showdown between No. 21 Arizona State and No. 14 BYU delivered one of the most chaotic endings of the season, complete with premature celebrations, a field-storming fiasco, and a nail-biting Hail Mary attempt. When the dust finally settled, Arizona State held on for a thrilling 28-23 victory, keeping their College Football Playoff hopes alive while all but crushing BYU’s.
Let’s set the stage. Cam Skattebo was an absolute force for the Sun Devils, rushing for 147 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Sam Leavitt added 247 passing yards and a touchdown, helping Arizona State build what seemed like a comfortable 28-9 lead late in the third quarter. But as we’ve learned time and time again, no lead is safe in college football—especially when BYU is involved.
The Chaos Begins
With just over a minute left in the game, Arizona State’s Javan Robinson snagged a clutch interception, seemingly sealing the win for the Sun Devils. The crowd at Sun Devil Stadium erupted, and the student section couldn’t contain their excitement. Fans stormed the field, tearing down goalposts and celebrating what they thought was a monumental victory.
But hold on—there was still one second left on the clock. Yes, you read that right. Officials ruled that BYU would get one last shot at a miracle. What followed was a scene straight out of a movie. Thousands of fans had to be cleared from the field, a process that took several minutes and left everyone holding their breath. Finally, BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff launched a deep Hail Mary pass, but it fell incomplete just short of the end zone. This time, the celebration was official.
How It All Went Down
Arizona State’s victory was a tale of two halves. The Sun Devils came out swinging, starting the game with a defensive stop on fourth-and-5 at midfield. They followed it up with a bruising 10-play, 54-yard drive, capped by a 3-yard touchdown run from Skattebo. The 215-pound back was unstoppable, racking up 44 yards on seven carries during that opening drive.
In the second quarter, Arizona State put together their longest touchdown drive of the season—a methodical 12-play, 95-yard march. Skattebo punched it in from 4 yards out, giving the Sun Devils a 14-0 lead. But they weren’t done yet. In a bold move, Arizona State executed a perfectly timed onside kick, recovered by Plas Johnson. Six plays later, Skattebo broke free for a 23-yard touchdown, his third of the half, putting Arizona State up 21-0.
BYU, however, refused to go quietly. After falling behind 28-9 late in the third quarter, the Cougars mounted a furious comeback. Retzlaff connected with Jojo Phillips for a 21-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 28-17. Then, after a defensive stop, BYU scored again on a 1-yard touchdown run by Keelan Marion. A failed two-point conversion left the score at 28-23 with 8:44 remaining.
Key Performances
- Cam Skattebo: 147 rushing yards, 3 touchdowns
- Sam Leavitt: 247 passing yards, 1 touchdown
- Jake Retzlaff: 297 passing yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions
While Skattebo and Leavitt shined for Arizona State, Retzlaff’s two interceptions proved costly for BYU. The Cougars’ late rally fell just short, leaving them with a 9-2 record and likely out of the College Football Playoff conversation.
What’s Next?
For Arizona State, this win is massive. The Sun Devils are now 9-2 overall and 6-2 in the Big 12, riding a four-game winning streak that has them on the fringe of the College Football Playoff discussion. With one game left in the regular season, they’ll need some help to crack the top four, but stranger things have happened.
As for BYU, this loss stings. After starting the season 9-0, the Cougars have now dropped two straight, all but ending their CFP hopes. They’ll look to regroup and finish the season strong, but this one will be tough to swallow.
The Takeaway
Saturday’s game was a perfect example of why we love college football. It had everything—big plays, dramatic comebacks, and a finish that no one will forget anytime soon. Arizona State fans may have jumped the gun with their premature field storming, but in the end, they got the result they wanted. For BYU, it’s a case of what could have been.
One thing’s for sure: this game will be talked about for years to come. And if you’re an Arizona State fan, you’ll be telling the story of that wild night in Tempe for the rest of your life.
Originally Written by: Associated Press
