TXST FOOTBALL
Texas State looks for their first 3-0 start since 1983 as the Bobcats continue their road swing into the Copper State for a showdown with the Arizona State Sun Devils.
Arizona State enters the game with a 1-1 overall record. After defeating Northern Arizona 38-19, the Sun Devils dropped their first game of the season on the road to Mississippi State 24-20 which knocked Arizona State out of the Top 25.
The Sun Devils are coming off one of their best seasons in program history, finishing the regular season with a 10-2 overall record. Arizona State clinched a bid to the Big 12 Championship Game where they defeated Iowa State to capture their first conference title since 2007 and earn an automatic bid to the College Football Playoff.
The Sun Devils were selected to play in the Peach Bowl where they met the Texas Longhorns. In one of the most thrilling games of the season, Arizona State fell to Texas 39-31 in double overtime.
At the end of the season, the Arizona State offense averaged 32.9 points per game while the Sun Devil defense allowed 22.6 points per game.
Quarterback Sam Leavitt has led the Sun Devil offense, passing for 339 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. Against Mississippi State, Leavitt was held to just 82 passing yards and 25 rushing yards.
Leavitt’s main target has been wide receiver Jordyn Tyson who has caught 18 passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns.
The strength of the Sun Devil offense has been their rushing attack. Running back Raleek Brown leads the team with 23 carries for 148 yards and one touchdown. Second in rushing is running back Kanye Udoh with 25 carries for 124 yards and one touchdown. Leavitt has rushed for 98 yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns. Against Mississippi State, the Sun Devils rushed for 251 total yards.
On defense, linebacker Keyshaun Elliott leads the team in total tackles with 13. Following Elliott is linebacker Jordan Cook with 12 total tackles.
This will be the Bobcats second-ever meeting against Arizona State with both teams playing for the first time last season.
In their Week 3 showdown that was broadcast on ESPN, the Sun Devils escaped with a 31-28 victory after kicking the game winning field goal with over six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter while also forcing two critical turnovers in the period.
Since making the jump to Division I in 1984, Texas State has faced 13 different teams from “power” conferences from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC and SWC.
The Bobcats first ever win against a member of a power conference came during the 1986 season when Texas State defeated Rice 31-6. The Bobcats jumped out to a 21-0 lead over the Owls before running away with the win.
Texas State’s most memorable win over a member of a power conference came in the season opener of the 2023 season against the Baylor Bears.
Quarterback T.J. Finley passed for 298 yards and three touchdowns while scoring one touchdown on the ground as the Bobcats defeated the Bears 42-31 in their first ever win against Baylor.
Kickoff for Texas State-Arizona State is set for 9:30 p.m. Saturday Sept. 13 at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. The game will be broadcast on TNT.
Texas State is looking for their second ever win against a Big 12 opponent. The Bobcats defeated Baylor 42-31 in the season opener of the 2023 season in Texas State’s first ever win against a member of a Power 4 conference. Daily Record photo by Gerald Castillo
