Sam Leavitt takes off for 52-yard rushing TD during ASU’s sloppy win over NAU

TEMPE — Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt took matters into his own hands early in the second half on Saturday, rushing for a 52-yard touchdown in a 38-19 win against NAU.

Leavitt dodged pass rushers and saw more green grass in front of him than around potential receivers, weaving his way to his first rushing touchdown of the season.

He finished with 73 rushing yards and two touchdowns on seven carries, along with 257 yards through the air (25-for-39 passing) and two more touchdowns. The quarterback was a bright spot on an otherwise up-and-down night for much of the offense.

DUAL-THREAT QUARTERBACK 😈

📺ESPN+ #ForksUp /// @S_leav10 pic.twitter.com/Go2VAoZTSh

— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) August 31, 2025

Leavitt’s touchdown run gave ASU a 24-6 lead, but it felt much closer because of how sloppy the Sun Devils played in the first half. That was only magnified by NAU’s answer to make it 24-13.

The signal caller found the end zone again near the end of the third quarter to give ASU a 31-13 advantage, however, and a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Jordyn Tyson put the win to bed.

“Not necessarily trying to do too much on those plays, just doing what my coaches taught me,” Leavitt said postgame. “Saw man coverage … so I just took off knowing that the post safety’s for me and then made a good play.”

Sloppy play by Arizona State offense

The ASU drive that followed Leavitt’s first rushing touchdown can only be categorized as nightmarish.

Raleek Brown had a 75-yard breakaway touchdown on the first play, but it was taken away by a holding penalty. Leavitt found Malik McClain 64 yards deep the next play, but that was taken away by an ineligible man downfield.

A third consecutive penalty came by way of a delay of game, and Leavitt erased part of the errors with a 15-yard scramble. Two more plays and six yards later came ASU’s fourth punt of the night.

Kenny Dillingham took responsibility for ASU's penalty issues (12 enforced) in its season opening win, noting the stat sheet could look 200 yards different if a few plays stood. pic.twitter.com/8ewcDTHwj0

— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) August 31, 2025

ASU’s final full drive of the first half came to a screeching halt when it had first-and-goal from the 4-yard line. Tyson was called for a false start before picking up the yardage back the next play.

A bad snap by first-year center Ben Coleman on third down left Leavitt with no time to adjust to an oncoming rush that dropped him for a loss of 15 yards.

Transfer kicker Jesus Gomez nailed a 36-yard field goal, but it was a missed opportunity to hang a bigger number on the scoreboard.

The offense had a hard time finding its footing, as its only first-half touchdowns were set up by big plays on special teams.

A 28-yard punt return by Brown set up his own rushing touchdown, and a 34-yard carry by Kyson Brown on a fake punt set up a touchdown catch by Tyson.

Tyson finished the game with 12 catches for 141 yards and two touchdowns.

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