Full Breakdown
Mississippi State Stuns Arizona State with Last-Minute Touchdown
9/8/2025, 11:49:49 AM
Game Overview: A Tale of Two Halves
In a thrilling college football matchup on September 6, 2025, the Mississippi State Bulldogs defeated the No. 12 Arizona State Sun Devils 24-20 at Davis Wade Stadium. The game featured a dramatic comeback by Arizona State, which erased a 17-point deficit only to fall victim to a late-game touchdown from Mississippi State quarterback Blake Shapen to wide receiver Brenen Thompson.
First Half: Bulldogs Dominate Early
Mississippi State started strong, scoring a touchdown just over a minute into the game with a 48-yard pass from Shapen to Anthony Evans. The Bulldogs extended their lead to 17-0 by halftime, capitalizing on Arizona State's struggles, particularly from quarterback Sam Leavitt, who completed just 5 of 15 passes for 30 yards and an interception in the first half. The Sun Devils managed only a 51-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter, trailing 17-3 at the break.
Second Half: Sun Devils Rally
The second half saw a significant shift in momentum. Arizona State's running game, led by Kanye Udoh and Raleek Brown, came alive, allowing the Sun Devils to score 20 unanswered points. Udoh's six-yard touchdown run and a two-yard touchdown pass from Leavitt to Jordyn Tyson tied the game at 17-17. With just 1:38 left in the game, Arizona State took a 20-17 lead with an 18-yard field goal from Jesus Gomez after a lengthy 17-play drive.
Late Game Drama: Bulldogs Respond
With time running out, Mississippi State needed a response. Shapen orchestrated a five-play, 77-yard drive, culminating in a 58-yard touchdown pass to Thompson with just 30 seconds remaining. This play not only secured the victory for the Bulldogs but also marked a significant moment in the program's resurgence after a challenging previous season. The Bulldogs' defense then sealed the win with an interception by Hunter Washington on the first play of Arizona State's final drive.
Key Performances
Blake Shapen finished the game with 279 passing yards and three touchdowns, while Brenen Thompson caught six passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns. Arizona State's running backs, Raleek Brown and Kanye Udoh, each surpassed 100 rushing yards, contributing to a total of 251 rushing yards for the Sun Devils. However, Leavitt's struggles continued, as he ended the game with only 82 passing yards and two interceptions.
Official Statements & Responses
Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby praised the atmosphere and the performance of his team, stating, "What an atmosphere, what an evening. That is Davis Wade Stadium at its finest." Arizona State's coach Kenny Dillingham acknowledged the challenges faced by his team, emphasizing the need to learn from the loss: "We have to take what we did good and how we played... and we have to build off that."
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the strong second-half performance, questions arose regarding Arizona State's late-game strategy, particularly the decision to kick a field goal instead of attempting to score a touchdown from the one-yard line. Dillingham's choice to play it safe has drawn scrutiny, with some critics suggesting a more aggressive approach could have changed the outcome.
What's Next
Following this loss, Arizona State (1-1) will host Texas State on September 13, 2025, while Mississippi State (2-0) prepares to face Alcorn State on the same day. Both teams will look to build on their respective performances as they continue their seasons.
This game not only marked a significant victory for Mississippi State but also highlighted the resilience of Arizona State, setting the stage for an intriguing remainder of the college football season.
