ASU football pitches first-half shutout at No. 16 Kansas State

ASU football went into Saturday expecting its toughest matchup of the year, but it held No. 16 Kansas State scoreless in a dominant first half, 21-0.

The Sun Devils had not entered halftime with a larger lead against a ranked team since 2014 against No. 10 Notre Dame. It was also the first time Kansas State had been shut out for a first half at home since 2018.

Nickel corner Shamari Simmons made the biggest defensive plays of the half, tipping up a ball that would be intercepted by Xavion Alford and punching out a fumble recovered by Javan Robinson.

Jordan Crook led the defense in tackles (seven) and had one of the team’s four tackles for loss.

Kansas State’s lone highlight play came on a 60-yard touchdown pass, but it was called back for an ineligible man downfield. Its biggest lowlight was a botched snap on a close-range field goal attempt that kept it scoreless.

Outside of K-State’s near-scoring drive of 60 yards, ASU outgained the Wildcats with 227 yards to K-State’s 48.

ASU football’s offense had it going in first half vs. No. 16 Kansas State

It was the first time with three passing touchdowns in one half for quarterback Sam Leavitt, who found Jordyn Tyson for two scores on six catches for 91 yards. Tyson has scored in five of his last six games, including twice in three of those six.

Tight end Chamon Metayer caught the other touchdown.

One of the only things that didn’t go right for the Sun Devils was a fake field goal attempt at the end of the half, when Carston Kieffer attempted to rush it instead of a 50-yard attempt.

The Sun Devils would hold on for a 24-14 win, keeping their Big 12 title hopes alive.