Arizona State football looked completely outmatched to start at Mississippi State on Saturday, and Sam Leavitt looked more out of his depths than anyone.
Leavitt completed his first pass attempt of the day with 13:00 left in the first quarter, a four-yard completion to Jordyn Tyson. His next completion didn’t come until 12:40 left in the second quarter on a screen pass that went for negative yards.
He would finish the first half with 30 passing yards on 5-for-15 passing with five carries for no net yards (sacks) and an interception. His 10-for-22 passing (45.5%) at the end of the 24-20 loss was his worst completion percentage of his college career.
The quarterback missed Malik McClain high and underthrew Jaren Hamilton on the first drive. It was a sign of what was to come, as Leavitt was unable to get his legs under him early in the hostile SEC environment.
The next two drives each went three-and-out, and Leavitt missed his receivers on both second and third downs.
ASU’s punting game wasn’t providing any relief, as Kanyon Floyd’s first punt went out of bounds after just 22 yards, and his second was returned 20 yards the other way.
Leavitt took matters into his own hands on ASU’s fourth drive, rushing for a first down, but a holding penalty negated it. While it was eerily similar to the previous week’s overload of penalties, it was the only offensive penalty ASU committed in the first quarter.
An offensive pass interference early in the second quarter meant the trend was sticking around, as a delay of game on a punt operation followed shortly after. There was also a critical early snap from center Ben Coleman that turned third-and-20 into fourth-and-34 to set up the punt.
The Sun Devils’ defense surrendered a quick touchdown to begin the game, so the margin for error was minimized from the get-go. Mississippi State quarterback Blake Shapen also dropped in a touchdown reception over his receiver’s shoulders early in the second half to take a 17-0 lead.
A penalty flag was thrown on the touchdown but picked up, drawing the ire of coach Kenny Dillingham. ASU responded with a drive that included two sacks and an interception by Leavitt on a deep prayer.
He had some miraculous heroics to escape a sack on the following drive’s fourth down try in Mississippi State territory, making up four of the five yards he needed on the ground but coming up just short of the first down.
ASU would get on the board with no time left in the half after Mississippi State penalties on a Hail Mary set up an untimed down. Kicker Jesus Gomez was then good from 51 yards out, his longest made field goal as a Sun Devil so far, to make it 17-3.
Furthermore, after ASU started the game without two starters, starting running back and Mississippi native Kyson Brown was “dinged up” after two carries for 11 yards, Dillingham told the ESPN2 broadcast.
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