Arizona State Recap, 2024

The valley of the sun—well, that is what I call it anyway. BYU travels to Tempe, Arizona, to play the Sun Devils in Big 12 action.

This game features the number 13 (BYU) and number 16 (Arizona ST) in pre-season rankings, and now, after this game, they are ranked 1 and 3 in the conference. That is quite a change.

Both teams are fighting for a spot in the Big 12 Championship game.

It should be a good game

Questions

1. Will BYU bounce back after last week’s loss?
2. Will the offense show up and play like they should?
3. Will the defense show up and step up and stop the Sun Devils?

The Game

It started at 1:30 PM MST on ESPN. It was a lovely sunny day.

First Quarter

The Sun Devils came out on fire and scored 7 in the first quarter. BYU did nothing but give up yards.

BYU 0

Devils 7

Second Quarter

Sun Devils scored 14 points in this quarter to make it

BYU 0

Devils 21

One of those TDs came off of a sidekick. I know, right? It sucks big time.

BYU finally got on the board with a 49-yard FG to end the half.

BYU 3

Devils 21

Overview of the First half

This just sucked big time. BYU didn’t show up at all. They must have kept the actual team at home and brought the team that blew a 42 to 21 lead in the 4th quarter and lost the game by 2.

They need to step it up in this next half.

Third Quarter

Well, the Devils got the ball and went down the field. On 4th and goal, kicking was out of the question. The Devils threw it to a wide-open receiver, and it was overthrown. There was also a chop block on the Devils. BYU declined it, so that was a good stop for BYU.

BYU started on its own 5-yard line, went down the field, and scored a TD on a jet sweep. It missed the 2-point conversion.

BYU 9

Devils 21

Then in 2 freaking plays Devils score

BYU 9

Devils 28

BYU would then go down the field and score a touchdown and a two-point conversion.

BYU 17

Devils 28

Fourth Quarter

BYU was the only team to score in this quarter. They attempted a two-point conversion but failed.

BYU 23

ASU 28

BYU stopped ASU and was driving down the field to score the go-ahead touchdown. But ASU intercepted the ball, and you think the game is over.

Nope 

The Devils didn’t take it seriously, and they went from the BYU 7-yard line and then ended up on the BYU 49-yard line. Yeah, they weren’t that smart. The devils threw it away with 1 second on the clock. That was turnover on downs.

However, you nodded to get the students off the field for one play. BYU threw a Hail Mary, and they got it on the 2-yard line, just short of the goal line.

Games ends

BYU 23

ASU 28

Statics

BYU	Stat	AZ ST
391	Total Yards	401
297	Passing Yards	247
94	Rushing Yards	154
6.4	Yards per play	5.8
26	First Downs	22
7/10	3rd Down efficiency	7/13
0/1	4th Down efficiently	2/5
61	Total Plays	69
1	Punts	1
5 (40)	Penalties (Yards)	9 (76)
0	Fumbles lost	0
2	Interceptions Thrown	1
24:56	Time of Possession	35:05

My Thoughts

Let’s answer the questions I had.

1. Will BYU bounce back after the last loss?
   1. It took them until halfway through the 3rd quarter to realize they were playing a game. 
2. Will the offense show up and play like they should?
   1. They could move the ball at will and not until the middle of the end of the 3rd quarter.
3. Will the defense show up and step up and stop the Sun Devils?
   1. Nope, they allowed 28 points and allowed Skattebo to run for 147 yards

Now, on to my thoughts.

BYU had the chance to advance to the championship game. However, they failed to produce the points needed. They had some opportunities, but not today.

After that interception, ASU had some horrible pass and clock management. It would have been great if BYU had won that game. I believe that ASU should have gotten plenty on that last play for sportsmanlike conduct due to the fans running on the field. That is the same thing the Utah AD did, and he got flagged.

But it is what it is. BYU should have won this game. But too many mistakes and a mental breakdown during the 1st half screwed them.

Next Game

The season’s final game will be played at Lavell EEdward’sStadium, home of the BYU Cougars. They will play the Houston Cougars.

BYU is 9-2

Houston is 4-6

The game will be played at LES in Provo, Utah, at 8:15 PM MST. It will be another late-night game.