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Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt out vs. Cincinnati due to injury, Jeff Sims to start

Oct 16, 2024, 9:46 AM | Updated: 9:06 pm

Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt...

Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt reacts while being checked by trainers after injuring his ribs during the first half against the Utah Utes at Mountain America Stadium on Oct. 11, 2024 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

(Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)


Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt is out Saturday against Cincinnati and will be replaced by Jeff Sims as a starter, head coach Kenny Dillingham said Wednesday.

Leavitt suffered a rib injury in the second quarter Friday in a 27-19 win over Utah as he was pushing through contact for extra yards. He left the game for the medical tent and eventually the locker room as Sims punctuated the drive with a touchdown run.

Dillingham said Leavitt’s injury was to the ribs but added, “it’s not just that.”

Dillingham was hesitant to give a return timeline for Leavitt but suggested the first possible game to come back would be Nov. 2 against Oklahoma State. ASU has a bye after this week’s game against the Bearcats.

“I could give you a timeline but it’s not real,” the Arizona State coach said. “It could be two weeks, it could be four weeks. Hopefully the sooner the better … We’re going to get through this week and then the bye week, half the bye week, and reassess it as it goes.”

Leavitt returned for a kneel-down to end the half and played the entire second half, notably without a rushing attempt.

The quarterback said postgame the pain was outweighed by wishing he could be out there for his teammates.

 

Jeff Sims set to start for Arizona State vs. Cincinnati with Sam Leavitt injured

Sims will make his first ASU start with 4,759 passing yards and 1,372 rushing yards between Georgia Tech and Nebraska over his five-year career.

That’s production in 32 games of experience.

“We brought him in to compete to start. Sam beat him out, but it was close,” Dillingham said. “Jeff had a good camp. Now Jeff, who has started a crap-ton of games, gets to go start again. To me, there’s not much drama … one of the 22 people are different.”

In relief of Leavitt last Friday, he hit 1 of 2 passes for 13 yards with one carry for a two-yard touchdown. He also appeared in the season-opening win over Wyoming and had three rushes for 15 yards without a pass attempt.

Arizona State has already relied heavily on the run game, incorporating the quarterback as well, and it should be an even bigger part of the game plan with Leavitt out and Sims in.

The Cincinnati defense has given up 164.8 rushing yards per game for an average of 4.9 yards per carry.

ASU rushers have averaged 4.9 yards per carry and 211.2 yards per game.

Follow all the action between ASU (5-1) and Cincinnati (4-2) beginning at 9 a.m. MST on the Arizona Sports app, 98.7 or online.

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