Arizona State plagued by self-inflicted miscues in Houston loss, students throw bottles onto field

TEMPE — As Arizona State penalties piled up in a 24-16 loss against Houston on Saturday, students’ frustration boiled over as bottles and other items were thrown onto the field in the third quarter.

ASU fans are throwing water bottles onto the field and shouting, “Refs you suck.”@FOX10Phoenix pic.twitter.com/Oq5Lti7Mbu

— Blake Niemann (@Blakes_Take2) October 26, 2025

ASU was approaching double-digit penalties when cornerback Keith Abney II was called for a pass interference in the end zone in front of the student section on a 50-50 ball.

That’s when items were thrown onto the playing field, a violation of a rule the Big 12 has had quite the experience with this season because of Texas Tech’s tortilla tradition.

An announcement was made at Mountain America Stadium asking fans to stop throwing things. Two plays later, Houston found the end zone to take a 24-0 lead with 1:08 left in the third.

The previous possession, fans grew very loud over a no-call on pass interference that would’ve favored ASU, and Sam Leavitt motioned for the crowd to quiet down.

Arizona State miscues started early

Houston was well on its way to its second score on its second drive when at the goal line, ASU forced a fumble and appeared to recover. The play was negated entirely, as Myles Rowser was offsides and was called for unsportsmanlike conduct.

The Cougars scored on the next play, and Rowser was later ejected on a targeting call after Abney’s pass interference.

Two ASU drives later, Leavitt fumbled the ball while scrambling in Cougar territory.

Kicker Jesus Gomez entered the game 16-for-20, making five more field goals in the same amount of attempts ASU had as a team in 2024. But he missed field goals of 31 and 42 yards, despite what appeared to be sound operations.

He made his third attempt from 47 yards to get ASU within 15 points at 24-9.

The drive before ASU got on the board, tight end Chamon Metayer caught what appeared to be a 21-yard touchdown grab with one hand but it was nullified by an illegal shift on the offensive line.

Several of ASU’s other penalties came on punt and kick returns, lessening three of its first four such returns because of holdings or blocks in the back.

Related

ASU QB Sam Leavitt exits twice vs. Houston, will undergo further evaluationASU's Prince Dorbah does not play vs. Houston, 3 questionable starters clearedLSU cancels home-and-home series with ASUCam Skattebo can’t quite stick landing on backflip during Fanatics FestASU-Arizona Territorial Cup among top 5 rivalries in nation, study saysToo-early projected starting lineup for ASU football for 2026