Each game has its turning point, and in the case of ASU vs TCU, its turning point was the play of quarterback Sam Leavitt, who enabled the Sun Devils to be within reach of TCU.
The dual-threat capability of Leavitt helped Arizona State not to be buried at an early stage. He was down by 17 points, but he gave the kind of firecracker plays that turn a game. His 57-yard touchdown pass to Jordyn Tyson immediately sparked the ASU sideline and got the fans back into the game. A few minutes afterwards, he demonstrated his agility by an 8-yard rushing TD, which shows that he can beat up the defenses both in the air and on the ground.
By the break, Leavitt had actually scored all of the 14 points of Arizona State. The Sun Devils were remaining competitive at a time when this game seemed on the verge of being lost. ASU would have entered the locker room without a single point without his efforts.
More than the figures, what was notable in Leavitt was his composure. The defensive front of TCU attacked him repeatedly, causing sacks and an expensive fumble, but he came back with strength. Whenever the Sun Devils needed a play, he provided his services, scrambling to first downs and prolonging drives, and giving ASU real hope against a ranked foe.
It was not only a statistical production but also a demonstration of leadership, confidence, and timely performance by Leavitt. He demonstrated his skills in generating a scoring opportunity under pressure. This quality highlights why he is rapidly emerging as the heart of the Arizona State offense.