Sam Leavitt's passing and running rallies Arizona State past Texas State 31-28

Sam Leavitt’s passing and running rallies Arizona State past Texas State 31-28

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Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) dives for a touchdown after making a catch against Texas State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in San Marcos, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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Texas State running back Ismail Mahdi (21) runs against Arizona State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in San Marcos, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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Texas State quarterback Jordan McCloud (3) scramble against Texas State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in San Marcos, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) celebrates his touchdown run against Texas State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in San Marcos, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) runs for a touchdown after making a catch against Texas State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in San Marcos, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) can’t make a catch as he is defended by Texas State cornerback Trez Moore (24) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in San Marcos, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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Texas State quarterback Jordan McCloud (3) scramble against Texas State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in San Marcos, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) runs against Texas State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in San Marcos, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo, center, dives for a touchdown against Texas State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in San Marcos, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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Texas State wide receiver Joey Hobert (10) leaps over Arizona State defensive back Myles Rowser (4) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in San Marcos, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) looks to throw against Texas State during the second half of an NCAA college football game in San Marcos, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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Texas State head coach GJ Kinne talks with an official during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State in San Marcos, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) fights for yards against Texas State during the second half of an NCAA college football game in San Marcos, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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Arizona State wide receiver Xavier Guillory (1), wide receiver Zechariah Sample (87) and quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) celebrate their win over Texas State in an NCAA college football game in San Marcos, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham, left, talks with an official during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas State in San Marcos, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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Texas State safety Kaleb Culp (19) breaks up a pass intended for Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in San Marcos, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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Arizona State defensive back Keith Abney II, left, breaks up a pass intended for Texas State wide receiver Kole Wilson (2) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in San Marcos, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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Texas State wide receiver Kole Wilson (2) is pulled down by Arizona State defensive back Keith Abney II (1) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in San Marcos, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) scrambles for a first down against Texas State during the second half of an NCAA college football game in San Marcos, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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Texas State wide receiver Jaden Williams (0) makes a catch for a touchdown against Arizona State during the second half of an NCAA college football game in San Marcos, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham, left, talks with officials during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas State in San Marcos, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) celebrates his touchdown against Texas State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in San Marcos, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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Arizona State wide receiver Xavier Guillory (1) dives for extra yardage after making a catch against Texas State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in San Marcos, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) makes a call during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas State in San Marcos, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

By JIM VERTUNO

SAN MARCOS, Texas (AP) — Sam Leavitt passed for a touchdown and ran for another, as Arizona State rallied twice to earn a tough 31-28 win over Texas State on Thursday night.

Cam Skattebo ran for two short touchdowns, and the Sun Devils defense forced two fourth-quarter turnovers. The first, a fumble recovery, set up Ian Hershey’s short field goal with 6:29 left that proved to be the game winner for Arizona State.

Arizona State is 3-0 heading into the program’s first Big 12 game next week at Texas Tech. The Sun Devils went 3-9 last season.

“Best thing in the world,” said Sun Devils defensive back Shamari Simmons, who forced the fourth-quarter fumble. “I’m in the clouds right now.”

Leavitt’s 52-yard touchdown throw to Jordyn Tyson and his 7-yard touchdown run on the next possession pulled the Sun Devils out of a 21-7 deficit in the second quarter. Leavitt passed for 246 yards in his first road start after transferring from Michigan State.

“We responded really well with two quick touchdowns that got us back in the game,” Leavitt said.

Skattebo, who rushed for 262 yards last week against Mississippi State, was held in check for most of the night by a stout Texas State defense, but he was a wrecking ball near the goal line. His 2-yard touchdown in the third quarter tied it at 28-28.

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Skattebo finished with 62 yards on 24 carries, and earned the critical first down that let the Sun Devils run out most of the final 2 minutes.

“When the game mattered the most, the best players made plays,” Sun Devils coach Kenny Dillingham said. “Very good for our football team to win that game.”

Jordan McCloud passed for 268 yards and four touchdowns, two of them to Jaden Williams, for Texas State (2-1). But he threw an interception after Arizona State took the lead in the fourth quarter.

THE TAKEAWAY

Arizona State: The running game that mauled Mississippi State a week ago got pushed around at the line of scrimmage and will face bigger teams in the Big 12. Leavitt provided the biggest runs, including a 40-yard scramble that set up the tying touchdown in the third quarter.

Texas State: The Bobcats will rue this missed opportunity for a second victory over a Big 12 team in two years and another big win in a game televised nationally on ESPN. The Sun Belt program is usually overlooked, and second year-coach G.J. Kinne is looking for a breakthrough moment. The Bobcats beat Baylor and won their first bowl game last season.

“I hate it for the kids that we weren’t able to get that win, but I think we performed well,” Kinne said. “I think we earned a lot of respect around the country tonight.”

TEXAS FOOTPRINT

Arizona State named four native Texan players as game captains. As new members of the Big 12, the Sun Devils will be spending a lot of time in the Lone Star State.

“The Texas guys on the roster, coming home, we brought it,” said Tyson, who is from Allen, Texas.

“We recruit Texas,” Dillingham said. “Texas is definitely a footprint for us because we play games here.”

FINAL PLAY

The game appeared over when Leavitt took a knee on fourth down and the teams shook hands and started heading toward the locker room. But after video review, game officials determined there was 1 second left. Texas State completed a short pass but an attempted lateral was fumbled and recovered by Arizona State.

UP NEXT

Arizona State: Plays at Texas Tech on Sept. 21 in the Sun Devils’ first game in the Big 12.

Texas State: Hosts Sam Houston State on Sept. 28

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