Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt orchestrated one of college football’s most stunning late-game comebacks, leading the Sun Devils to a thrilling 26-22 victory over No. 7 Texas Tech in Tempe on October 18, 2025. The victory snapped the Red Raiders’ unbeaten streak and handed Texas Tech their first loss of the season in dramatic fashion, with Raleek Brown scoring the game-winning touchdown with just 34 seconds remaining.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Sam Leavitt completed 28 of 47 passes for 319 yards and one touchdown, including a 33-yard strike to Jordyn Tyson on fourth-and-2
- Arizona State rallied from being down 22-19 to score the game-winning touchdown in the final minute
- Texas Tech was ranking No. 7 nationally and undefeated at 6-1 before the loss; ASU improved to 5-2
- Mountain America Stadium in Tempe was rocking with 54,177 fans as Arizona State fans rushed the field following the stunning upset
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Arizona State’s defense was relentless early, holding Texas Tech’s high-powered offense to just 276 total yards for the game. Texas Tech’s starting quarterback Behren Morton was ruled out with a knee injury, forcing backup Will Hammond to take over the offense.
Despite the injuries and pressure, Hammond showed tremendous poise in the second half, orchestrating two late scoring drives that built what appeared to be an insurmountable lead. The Red Raiders twice took the lead in the fourth quarter, with Hammond scoring on a 1-yard run and finding Reggie Virgil for a 12-yard touchdown reception.
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That’s when Leavitt and the Sun Devils struck back. Facing a 22-19 deficit with just over two minutes remaining, Leavitt led a 10-play, 75-yard drive down the field with surgical precision, completing 5 of 7 passes for 61 yards on the crucial final drive.
The Game-Winning Drive that Will Live in Sun Devils History
| Category | Details |
| Final Score | Arizona State 26, Texas Tech 22 |
| Game-Winning TD | Raleek Brown 1-yard run with 34 seconds left |
| MVP Performer | Sam Leavitt, QB, 319 passing yards |
| Location | Mountain America Stadium, Tempe, Arizona |
The defining moment on the drive came on a crucial fourth-and-2 from Texas Tech’s 40-yard line. Leavitt launched a perfect 33-yard pass to receiver Jordyn Tyson down the sideline that kept the drive alive and sparked what would become the Sun Devils’ winning surge.
A pass interference call against Texas Tech’s Brice Pollack in the end zone set up the finish. Raleek Brown, the Sun Devils’ powerful running back, carried the ball in from 1 yard out with 34 seconds remaining to seal the stunning upset victory.
Texas Tech’s Late Push Falls Just Short in Devastating Fashion
Arizona State appeared finished when Texas Tech took its 22-19 lead on Hammond’s 2-point conversion run in the fourth quarter. The Red Raiders’ defense had held firm for most of the second half, but with just over two minutes remaining, everything changed.
After Leavitt’s heroic drive, Texas Tech got one final opportunity. Hammond drove the Red Raiders to Arizona State’s 28-yard line with seconds ticking down, but his desperation pass into the end zone on the final play was batted down by the Arizona State defense, sealing the loss.
Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire acknowledged the brilliance of the opposing quarterback after the loss, saying according to reports, “That quarterback changes everything. He’s a difference maker.”
Arizona State’s Remarkable Two-Year Rise Continues with Statement Win
Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham praised his quarterback’s extraordinary composure down the stretch. The Sun Devils had just completed their College Football Playoff run a year earlier, and this victory showed they remain one of the nation’s most dangerous teams.
Arizona State’s defense held Texas Tech, one of the nation’s best, to just four field goals on the day. Despite settling for four field goal attempts in the red zone, the Sun Devils managed to make every moment count when it mattered most.
The victory marked Arizona State as a program capable of beating anyone in the country in clutch situations, a reputation that only grew as the sun set over Mountain America Stadium.
What Does This Stunning Upset Mean for the College Football Playoff Picture?
Texas Tech joined No. 2 Miami, No. 5 Mississippi, and No. 10 LSU as top-10 teams to suffer losses in what became a wild weekend of upsets. The loss sent shockwaves through the Big 12 Conference and the broader College Football Playoff implications for the season.
For Arizona State, the statement win repositioned them in the national conversation and demonstrated that their two-year rise was no fluke. With the talent, coaching, and most importantly the quarterback capable of performing in the biggest moments, the Sun Devils had cemented themselves as a program ready to compete with anybody on any given Saturday.
“I’ve never been around a guy who just works to win football games as much as he does and in the biggest moments he makes the biggest plays.”
— Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State Head Coach
Sources
- ESPN – Game recap and play-by-play coverage of Arizona State’s 26-22 victory
- Sports Illustrated – Analysis of Sam Leavitt’s exceptional performance and Arizona State’s unbelievable comeback
- Texas Tech Official Athletics – Team statement and reaction to the heartbreaking loss to the Sun Devils
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.