In a stunning college football upset, Arizona State defeated previously undefeated No. 7 Texas Tech 26-22 on a last-minute touchdown drive led by quarterback Sam Leavitt. The victory, sealed with 34 seconds remaining, handed the Red Raiders their first loss of the season and underscored Leavitt’s clutch performance in his return from injury.
The game unfolded on October 18, 2025, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, where Arizona State initially built a 12-point fourth-quarter lead. The Sun Devils’ offense, spearheaded by Leavitt, struggled to capitalize on early opportunities, settling for four field goals from kicker Jesus Gomez. Despite this, their defense held strong against a Texas Tech squad that entered averaging an FBS-best 558.8 yards per game but was limited to 276 yards without starting quarterback Behren Morton, sidelined by a knee injury.
Texas Tech freshman quarterback Will Hammond, filling in for Morton, found his footing late in the contest. Hammond engineered two scoring drives in the fourth quarter, first scoring on a 1-yard run and then connecting with Reggie Virgil on a 12-yard touchdown pass. After a successful 2-point conversion run by Hammond, the Red Raiders seized a 22-19 lead with just over two minutes left, setting up a dramatic finale.
Arizona State took over at its own 25-yard line with two minutes remaining, and Leavitt immediately showcased his poise. He completed 5 of 7 passes for 61 yards on the decisive drive, including a critical 33-yard completion to Jordyn Tyson on fourth-and-2 that extended the possession. A pass interference penalty on Texas Tech’s Brice Pollock further advanced the Sun Devils, positioning them at the 1-yard line where running back Raleek Brown plunged in for the go-ahead score with 34 seconds on the clock.
Leavitt, who missed the previous week’s game against Utah due to a foot injury, finished with 319 passing yards and a touchdown, reinforcing his reputation as a game-changer. Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham lauded his quarterback’s resilience, stating, “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.” Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire acknowledged Leavitt’s impact, remarking, “That quarterback changes everything. He’s a difference-maker.”
The loss dropped Texas Tech to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in Big 12 play, while Arizona State improved to 5-2 and 3-1. The Red Raiders became the fourth top-10 team to fall during a chaotic Week 8, joining No. 2 Miami, No. 5 Mississippi, and No. 10 LSU. McGuire emphasized the need for his team to respond to adversity, noting, “We’re fixin’ to find out how we face a loss. That’s the adversity you’ve got to find out.”
Injuries influenced the outcome, as Texas Tech was without defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard, who underwent season-ending ankle surgery earlier in the week. Additionally, Red Raiders tight end Terrance Carter Jr. was carted off in the third quarter after a collision, though his condition was not immediately detailed. Arizona State capitalized on these absences, amassing 394 total yards against a typically robust Texas Tech defense.
The win keeps Arizona State in the Big 12 championship hunt and could elevate them into national rankings. For Texas Tech, the defeat serves as a wake-up call as they aim to rebound in upcoming contests. Both teams will look to build on this intense matchup, with Arizona State seeking consistency and Texas Tech working to rediscover its early-season form.