Sun Devils Open Season With Uneven Win Over NAU

Arizona State kicked off its second season in the Big 12 with a win over in-state foe Northern Arizona, but the performance left plenty for head coach Kenny Dillingham and his staff to review before conference play.

Sun Devils Offensive Highlights

The bright spots came early and often on offense. Jordyn Tyson returned to action looking sharp, securing double-digit catches and over 100 yards receiving and a touchdown, showing why he’s expected to be a go-to target in ASU’s passing game. His consistency through the air gave Sam Leavitt a dependable option when the offense needed to move the chains.

Tyson #0 celebrates his 1st touchdown of the season in 2025 with #3 Raleek Brown

Leavitt himself looked the part of a true dual-threat quarterback. He extended plays with his legs, made throws on the run, and showed composure in the pocket — all signs that the Sun Devils can lean on him to guide the offense this fall. The highlight of Leavitt's play was suprisingly not his arm. It was the fact that he scored 2 touchdowns on the ground for the Devils.

The rushing attack was another clear positive. The ASU backs took advantage of the lack of defensive pressure, gashing NAU for big gains and keeping the Lumberjacks’ defense on its heels. With 200+ yards of offense in the game, The duo of Kyson/Raleek Brown look to become a two-headed monster that no Big XII team wants to see. If this level of balance continues, ASU’s offense will be difficult to contain.

Areas to Clean Up

Despite the win, the Sun Devils left too many points on the table. Defensively, the inability to generate consistent pressure was glaring. The front seven couldn’t collapse the pocket, giving NAU’s quarterback far too much time to find open receivers. Not generating sacks in this game was not the ideal scenario for a defensive unit who looked to rank among the top this season. That will be a major concern going forward for Kenny Dillingham and DC Brian Ward as they head down South to face a formidable SEC foe in Mississippi St in just a weeks time.

Penalties were another recurring issue. The Sun Devils in the first game of the season had the most penalties in the Kenny Dillingham era for a single game. Drive-stalling flags on offense and unnecessary infractions on defense repeatedly halted ASU’s momentum. Discipline remains a problem that must be addressed quickly.

The third-down conversion rate also stood out as an area of weakness. The Sun Devils only converted 20% of their 3rd downs in this game. Too many stalled drives left the Sun Devils settling for punts or field goal attempts rather than extending possessions. There were double-digit occasions where the Sun Devils looked like they were on the field trying not to lose the game rather than trying to win.

Final Takeaway

ASU got the result it wanted, but the performance showed that this team is still a work in progress. Tyson’s reliability, Leavitt’s dual-threat presence, and a strong rushing game are major positives moving forward. At the same time, the defense, penalties, and third-down execution all need significant improvement if ASU is going to compete in the Big 12 this season.

It wasn’t a perfect start, but it was a winning one — and the Sun Devils now have a foundation to build on as the schedule toughens.