Arizona State stuns Baylor in Waco Big XII Opener. Keys to the Game deliver in Season's First Big XII Win
- Jordon Leon
- Sep 21
- 3 min read
Final Score: Arizona State 27, Baylor 24
Date/Location: September 20, 2025 — McLane Stadium, Waco, TX
Arizona State went into Waco looking for its first Big 12 win of the season. Head coach Kenny Dillingham’s message all week was simple: if the Sun Devils could force turnovers, control the line of scrimmage, and create pressure, they would have a chance to silence the Baylor crowd.
On Saturday night, that’s exactly how the game unfolded — and in the final seconds, kicker Jesus Gomez drilled a 43-yard field goal to lift ASU to a dramatic 27–24 victory.
1. Forcing Turnovers — The Difference Maker
The Sun Devils entered the matchup knowing Baylor’s offense could put up points in a hurry. To combat that, ASU’s defense had to be disruptive. They delivered, forcing three turnovers that changed the tone of the game.
Safety Adrian “Boogie” Wilson and linebacker Zyrus Fiaseu each recovered fumbles that stalled Baylor drives.
Cornerback Keith Abney II came up with a clutch interception that gave ASU a short field.
Those turnovers directly set up nine Sun Devil points. While the offense would’ve liked more than field goals, those takeaways prevented Baylor from ever grabbing full momentum.
2. Controlling the Line of Scrimmage
The battle up front was never perfect for ASU, but the Sun Devils won enough downs to tilt the game in their favor.
Offensively, ASU ran the ball 37 times for 179 yards, led by Raleek Brown’s 80 yards on 21 carries. The commitment to the ground game kept Baylor’s defense honest and opened up play-action opportunities for quarterback Sam Leavitt.
Defensively, the line and linebackers limited Baylor to just 107 rushing yards. Whenever the Bears tried to lean on their ground game, ASU’s front seven clogged lanes and forced them into obvious passing situations.
The only blemish? Short-yardage execution. ASU failed to convert a key 4th-and-1, and several red-zone runs were stuffed, leaving points on the board. Still, in the trenches, the Sun Devils held their own and set the tone.
3. Creating Pressure
Perhaps the most underrated key to the game was pressure — and ASU found ways to make Baylor uncomfortable all night.
The defensive line didn’t always rack up sacks, but they hurried throws, forced fumbles, and tightened coverage opportunities downfield. The ripple effect was clear: turnovers, stalled drives, and momentum swings that allowed the Sun Devils’ offense extra possessions.
Baylor quarterback struggles were compounded late as ASU’s defense buckled down in the fourth quarter, leading to three consecutive empty drives.
Arizona State's Key Playmakers
Several names stood out in the box score and on the field:
Sam Leavitt (QB): 22-of-32 for 221 yards and one touchdown, plus a 1-yard rushing score. Showed poise after shaky stretches.
Derek Eusebio (WR): The walk-on delivered the play of the night — a 61-yard reception in the fourth quarter that set up the go-ahead score.
Jordyn Tyson (WR): Reliable all game, finishing with 7 catches for 43 yards, a crucial touchdown, and a two-point conversion.
Jesus Gomez (K): After missing earlier this season, Gomez nailed the game-winner from 43 yards as time expired, cementing his redemption moment.
Missed Opportunities
Despite the win, Arizona State left points on the table. Settling for field goals after turnovers kept Baylor in striking distance. Red-zone efficiency and short-yardage play-calling will be areas to clean up before the Sun Devils dive deeper into conference play.
Penalties also popped up in critical spots, though ASU managed to overcome them with timely plays. Against more polished Big 12 opponents, those mistakes could prove more costly.
What It Means
This victory wasn’t just a road win — it was a statement. Arizona State showed it can translate Dillingham’s vision into results: disruptive defense, physicality at the line, and relentless pressure.
The Sun Devils now stand 1–0 in Big 12 play, proving they can go toe-to-toe with established programs. The formula for winning is clear, and it’s built around the very keys that guided this upset in Waco.
As ASU turns its attention to the next opponent, the momentum — and belief — from this victory could carry them into the heart of the Big 12 schedule with confidence.
Final Take:
Arizona State executed the blueprint: three turnovers, nearly 200 rushing yards, constant defensive pressure. Add in late-game clutch performances from Derek Eusebio, Jordyn Tyson, and Jesus Gomez, and you have the recipe for the season's first Big 12 win.