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ASU FOOTBALL

Late turnovers seal ASU’s fate at Texas A&M in game marred by self-inflicted errors

Texas A&M outscored ASU 24-0 in the fourth quarter. The Aggies led 17-10 at halftime after the Sun Devils gift-wrapped 10 free points on special teams miscues. 

ASU QB Cutter Boley...

Cutter Boley #8 of the Arizona State Sun Devils throws a pass in the first half against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on September 12, 2026 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

Turnovers on three straight possessions in the fourth quarter capped off a sloppy performance by Arizona State in a 48-20 loss at No. 10 Texas A&M Saturday.

ASU quarterback Cutter Boley connected with wide receiver Reed Harris for a 58-yard touchdown that brought the Sun Devils within four points with 3:39 left in the third quarter, but ASU got just one first down over the following four possessions.

Boley threw his first interception as a Sun Devil for a pick-six when he was hit while throwing one play after Texas A&M (2-0) had a bad snap on a punt that set ASU (1-1) up 34 yards out from the end zone.

It was a major missed opportunity, especially given the touchdown the Aggies scored five minutes earlier to make it a two-possession game. The defensive touchdown by the Aggies extended the deficit to 38-20.

In a last-ditch effort on the ensuing possession, running back Kyson Brown fumbled the ball while fighting for extra yardage, all but ending the game with 8:23 to go.

Boley was then picked off again as the Sun Devils were nearing midfield, also being returned for a score.

Texas A&M outscored ASU 24-0 in the fourth quarter. The Aggies led 17-10 at halftime after the Sun Devils gift-wrapped 10 free points on special teams miscues.

Penalties were also a major factor, as ASU was flagged nine times for 62 yards, many of which came in critical situations. The Aggies’ only penalty of the game, a false start, came with 7:46 left in the game.

Despite the two late interceptions, the Boley-Harris connection is proving to be a real weapon for ASU. Harris caught nine balls for 189 yards and two touchdowns, outdoing his Week 1 showing of six catches for 137 yards and two scores.

Boley finished 21 of 34 for 254 yards and two touchdowns, adding 31 rushing yards on six carries. His Texas A&M counterpart, Marcel Reed, had 163 passing yards on 15 of 25 passing with three touchdowns and one interception.

ASU outgained Texas A&M 369-255 in total yards, and it won the time-of-possession battle by eight seconds.

Damon Allred ASU reporter, ArizonaSports.com editor

Damon Allred is the Arizona State reporter for Arizona Sports and is a web editor for arizonasports.com and KTAR.com. Born and raised in the Valley, Damon has lived in the metro Phoenix area for most of his life. He began covering ASU in fall 2024.… Read more

Comments

2 Comments

G
Grumpy Old Man 1 minute ago

If you look at the top teams over the years, they usually have low turnovers and penalties as well as having good special teams. It seems like the Sun Devils need to work on these areas especially special teams.

T
TheReal AZNative 27 minutes ago

Did not expect an ASU win and while they did hang for almost three quarters, it got away badly late. TO's and penalties were killer, especially the two penalties on an A&M drive early in the 3rd that gave them a 24-10 lead.