BYU survives unranked Arizona State's second-half rally, stays unbeaten at home
BYU defeats Arizona State 27‑20 in a tightly contested showdown
In a late‑afternoon showdown in Tempe, the No. 8‑ranked Brigham Young University Cougars edged the Arizona State Sun Devils by a touchdown, 27‑20. The game, which featured a dramatic comeback by ASU before BYU re‑established control in the final quarter, finished with the Cougars holding a 27‑20 lead to secure a win on the road.
A back‑and‑forth battle
Arizona State jumped to a 14‑point lead after a strong offensive effort, with quarterback Jake Fette completing 166 yards and two touchdowns. The Sun Devils’ early scoring came on a 20‑yard pass from Fette to Omarion Miller and a short run for a 1‑yard touchdown by Anthony Miller Jr., putting them ahead 17‑7 at the end of the first quarter. Fette’s second touchdown came midway through the third quarter, tying the score at 17‑17.
BYU’s offense, led by quarterback Bear Bachmeier, rebounded with a 45‑yard field goal in the fourth quarter that gave the Cougars a 20‑17 advantage. Running back Sione Moa capped the victory with a one‑yard touchdown run with just over two minutes left on the clock, bringing the final score to 27‑20.
Key plays and fumble recoveries
The game was defined by a handful of turnovers. ASU’s Jake Fette lost a fumble early in the game, which Isaiah Glasker of BYU seized on, setting up the Cougars’ first touchdown. Later, during a BYU drive, Bachmeier coughed the ball, and Moa scooped it up inside the ASU one‑yard line to put BYU on top 7‑0.
On the defensive side, Adrian Wilson of Arizona State recovered a fumble by BYU’s Kyler Kasper near the 39‑yard line, helping the Sun Devils to a second touchdown drive. Despite the turnovers, ASU’s offense was efficient, converting three third‑down plays on their first scoring drive and managing to convert two fourth‑down attempts later in the third quarter.
Season context
The result marks Arizona State’s third road defeat to a top‑ten opponent this season, while the Cougars’ win keeps them firmly in the upper echelons of the national rankings. The Sun Devils’ loss comes as they head back to Denver for a game against Colorado, where the Buffaloes have just broken a losing streak with an overtime victory over Kansas State.
Looking ahead
BYU’s next contest will be an in‑state rivalry clash against Utah in Salt Lake City, a game that always draws significant fan interest. Arizona State will host Colorado in Tempe for its upcoming match.
The game was a showcase of both teams’ resilience, with the Cougars ultimately pulling away in the final quarter to secure a hard‑earned victory on the road.
