AMES, Iowa – Quarterback Jeff Sims put the back in backup, carrying his Sun Devil Football team with 228 rushing yards - an Arizona State school record for a quarterback - en route to a 24-19 victory over Iowa State at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa.
The Sun Devils overcame wet and windy conditions and one of the top home field advantages in college football, handing Iowa State a loss in consecutive weekends at Jack Trice Stadium for the first time since the 2015 season. Entering the game, ISU was 9-2 in home games since the start of last year and 15-7 in Big 12 home games since 2020.
Arizona State’s (6-3; 4-2) defense absolutely stymied the Cyclone offense in the second half, holding ISU to just three points to stave off any late rallies and ASU improved to 9-1 in games decided by seven points or less in the last two seasons. ASU posted its second consecutive fourth quarter shutout - something it had not done since the 2021 season.
ASU's offense was paced by Sims, who takes over the helm of the offense after Friday's announcement that Sam Leavitt will miss the remainder of the season with an injury. Sims responded by becoming the first Sun Devil quarterback to ever rush for over 200 yards while posting the eighth-most rushing yards in a single game in program history. He completed 13-of-24 passes for 177 yards with a touchdown and an interception as well.
SUN DEVIL 200-YARD RUSHING GAMES ON ROAD
251-Ben Malone at Oregon State (Oct. 27, 1973/24 carries, 5 TDs)
236-Wilford White at Brigham Young (Sept. 23, 1950/30 carries)
232-Wilford White at Northern Arizona (Oct. 7, 1950/18 carries)
228-Jeff Sims at Iowa State (Nov. 1, 2025/29 carries, 2 TDS)
220-Max Anderson at Wisconsin (Sept. 30, 1967/21 carries, 1 TD)
216-DJ Foster at New Mexico (Sept. 6, 2014/19 carries, 1 TD)
214-JR Redmond at USC (Oct. 3, 1998/33 carries, 1 TD)
214-Woody Green at Utah (Sept. 25, 1971/31 carries, 2 TDs)
201-Freddie Williams at New Mexico State (Oct. 11, 1975/37 carries)
201-Woody Green vs. San Jose State (Nov. 18, 1972/24 carries, 2 TDs)
Sims’ 88-touchdown third-down yard run in the third quarter flipped the field and the momentum and gave ASU a 24-16 lead. Iowa State responded with a field goal to make it 24-19 heading to the fourth but the Sun Devil defense wasn’t letting the Cyclones get any closer.
ASU held ISU to just 68 yards and and 0-for-4 mark on third downs in the final frame to close the game out - capped by a fourth down stop in Sun Devil territory with 15 seconds left in the game.
The Sun Devils outgained the Cyclones 257-161 in the first half and 467 to 336 for the game. Keyshaun Elliott posted his third-straight game with double digit tackles to pace the Sun Devil defense. Fellow linebacker Jordan Crook had a pivotal fourth-quarter interception as well.
With four of its six Big 12 media day attendees out – Sam Leavitt, Jordyn Tyson, Ben Coleman and Xavion Alford – ASU leaned on many, including true freshman lineman Maki Stewart who made his first start in just his second game played.
ASU took a 17-10 lead with five minutes left in the first half on an 18-yard Jeff Simms to Chamon Metayer pass that closed an eight-play, 56-yard drive, as the Sun Devils put points on the board for its third straight drive. ASU got Iowa State off the field, but a fumble at 1:31 gave Iowa State the ball back and the Cyclones converted to make it 17-16 at the half after ISU missed the point after attempt. It marked the first time ASU gave up points after a turnover on the year.
Iowa State’s Rocco Becht scrambled seven yards on second down for the first touchdown with 12:45 left in the first half on an eight-play, 71-yard drive to make it 10-3, but ASU answered with an 88-yard, four-play drive in just 1:56 to even things a 10-10.
Iowa State (5-3; 3-2) got on the board first with a six-play, 32-yard drive that took up 3:17 on a Kyle Konrardy 30-yard field goal with 5:40 left in the first quarter.
ASU tied it up with 58 seconds remaining in the first quarter with a 35-yard Jesus Gomez field goal. ASU went 55 yards on 11 plays.
ASU topped Iowa State in the 2024 Big 12 title game, but the Sun Devil offense had a new look on Saturday. In addition to Leavitt announced as being out for the season on Friday, ASU also has Ben Coleman (injured and out for year) and graduated Leif Fautanau (second-team Walter Camp All-American), Cam Skattebo (All-American), Xavier Guillory, Melquan Stovall and Troy Omeire from the December starting lineup. Jordyn Tyson missed that game and the Peach Bowl with shoulder injury.
ASU next hosts West Virginia on Homecoming (Saturday, Nov. 15), before traveling to Colorado (Nov. 22) and hosting Arizona (Friday, Nov. 28 at 7 p.m. on FOX) to close the regular season.