It wasn’t easy for Arizona State to get four wins in its first five games before its first bye week, but it had the star power to get it done.
The connection between quarterback Sam Leavitt and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson has been dialed in from Week 1, and running back Raleek Brown has emerged to give the offense a real threat in the ground game that must be respected.
It’s been mostly a group effort defensively, but Keith Abney II has set himself apart as a cornerback offenses are unwise to test, even as a member of a secondary that’s taken some hits early in the season.
Kicker Jesus Gomez has been ASU’s most impactful newcomer through five games, providing the game-winning field goal in back-to-back weeks.
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Let’s take a closer look at some of the numbers behind ASU’s 4-1 start with two wins to start off Big 12 play:
Which Arizona State players have been among the best at their position?
QB Sam Leavitt: 280
While Leavitt’s passing game has been up and down to begin the season, he’s been hurting opponents toting the rock since Week 1 to the tune of FBS-best 280 scramble yards.
His 52-yard scamper in the season opener, scoring untouched, proved to teams they have to respect that side of his game, but defenses haven’t been able to hold him in check yet.
The seven rushes he took in the opener have been a season low, carrying eight, 12, 15 and 13 times in the four games since. He had previously carried at least a dozen times in a single game just once, the 13 he had in the Peach Bowl.
His five rushing touchdowns equal his season total from 2024 and are a team high this season, with Brown and Kanye Udoh combining for three.
WR Jordyn Tyson: 7
No receiver in college football has more than Tyson’s seven touchdowns, and only one (Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell II) has tied the mark.
Tyson has the ASU all-time record for touchdowns in a single season (Doug Allen’s 14 in 1984) in his sights, needing just seven more to tie with seven regular season games still to go.
His two touchdowns against TCU on Friday were invaluable, first to stop the bleeding in what was a 17-0 deficit and then on fourth down to tie the game at 24 with less than two minutes left.
“Winners win,” ASU coach Kenny Dillingham said of Leavitt and Tyson’s clutch genes. “Some people in the biggest moments are their best. Some people love the ball with the game on the line, some people don’t.
“Sam’s somebody who loves the ball with the game on the line, and so is JT. Hopefully, we can not have the game on the line as much, but if we do, I hope it’s in their hands.”
His 483 receiving yards are third in Power Four and tops among Big 12 receivers, and his 39 receptions lead Power Four. He’s been a dominant presence in the ASU receivers room, as there have been only nine other catches by wide receivers through five games.
RB Raleek Brown: 506
No one in the Big 12 has more than Brown’s 506 rushing yards, which also have him top five among Power Four rushers.
While his production maybe should’ve been expected given his top-100 status as a prospect and the healthy offseason he was finally able to take advantage of, it’s been especially impressive since he entered the year behind Kyson Brown, who was injured in the Week 2 loss at Mississippi State.
He’s been one of the most explosive runners too, breaking off a 75-yard dagger touchdown to take a 34-9 lead against Texas State late in the third quarter. He’s had four other runs of at least 20 yards over the first five games.
There could’ve been one more explosive play if a swing pass he took 75 yards to the house against NAU stood, but it was called back due to holding.
CB Keith Abney II: 202
Of all the defenders in college football yet to allow a touchdown this season, none have played more snaps in coverage than Abney’s 202. He also has the fifth-best coverage grade among Power Four cornerbacks.
Crucial to how he’s prevented touchdowns is the 19 yards after the catch he’s held receivers to across 13 catches. For reference, top-graded cornerback Mansoor Delane of LSU has allowed 52 yards after the catch across six receptions allowed.
He’s also the only ASU defensive back with an interception so far this season, swinging a game at Baylor in the Sun Devils’ favor. His five passes defensed also pace the unit, and he led ASU in both as a sophomore in 2024 with three interceptions and nine passes defensed.
This year, he’s added his first career tackle for loss and sack.
K Jesus Gomez: 11
Gomez leads Power Four kickers with 11 made field goals through five games (tied with Lucas Carneiro of Ole Miss), matching the number of makes ASU had last season.
He needed just 14 attempts to reach the mark while it took the Sun Devils until their 20th attempt in their 14th game in 2024.
Because of the game winners in back-to-back weeks, he was awarded Big 12 special teams player of the week in back-to-back weeks, even despite missing two field goals on Friday.
“I never had a doubt,” Dillingham said of his confidence holding firm. “If we had to kick a 56-yarder to win that thing, I wouldn’t have even looked. He would’ve made it.
“That dude, the way he prepares, the way he goes about his business. Like, zero doubt ever that he was gonna make the kick with the game on the line.”
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