Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt using lack of national praise as fuel before Baylor

Sam Leavitt and the Sun Devils had something at the beginning of the season that they lacked all of 2024: expectations.

However, following their Week 2 loss to Mississippi State, the team had to prove they were worthy of those expectations.

The team rebounded to a dominant 34-15 victory over Texas State. Leavitt personally bounced back from an inaccurate game of two interceptions and a career-worst 45.5% completion rate in Starkville with 188 yards with a 60% completion rate on Saturday.

“I thought it was way better,” Leavitt said. “It was the first time I felt like I was really playing ball again, having fun out there, not thinking too much and just kind of playing.”

Creativity was a large part of the team identity during their run to the College Football Playoff quarterfinals last season and is something Leavitt thinks is critical for the team’s success in the future.

“I feel like that’s when we play the best,” Leavitt said. “We’re a really creative team that plays within the system. That’s the player that I am, so I kind of need to be free flowing in a lot of ways while playing within the system.”

Despite the victory, ASU was unable to return to the Associated Press rankings despite being 11th to start the season. However, Leavitt wants to use the lack of affirmation to fuel his play.

“We’ve got to get it out of the mud just like it was last year,” Leavitt said. “It’s kind of the type of person and player I am. I don’t love all the praise. I don’t play better like that. I don’t work as hard when it’s like that.”

Leavitt says the little things will matter in conference play

While this will be the first time Baylor and ASU will face off as conference opponents, Big 12 play last season was fierce. Five of the nine regular season conference games the Sun Devils played were decided by one score.

“It’s a conference of margins. You’ve got to win the details,” Leavitt said. “The games come down to the clutch … so, we understand what it takes now.”

Leavitt’s counterpart, Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson, has started the season incredibly well. His 1,070 yards lead the Big 12, but Leavitt is putting his focus on leading ASU the best he can, regardless of who’s on the other side.

“I’m going in with my team and trying to play the best game that we’ve got,” Leavitt said. “Nameless, faceless opponent every single week, so I’m just going in with my guys.”