Going into a tough battle against a strong team like Cincinnati, ASU missed starting quarterback Sam Leavitt then and maybe without him against Oklahoma State next week.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Suffering a rib injury against Utah on Oct. 11, Leavitt miraculously came back right before halftime against the Utes and finished the game. He sustained the blow after a hard tackle in the second quarter, struggled to get up, walked slowly to the injury tent, popped out of the tent and returned in the 27-19 win.
Though he fought through the pain and kept playing vs. Utah, Leavitt would then miss this past Saturday’s 24-14 loss to Cincinnati. Following the victory over the Utes, ASU coach Kenny Dillingham said that he could be out for 2-to-4 weeks with the injury and other issues from the tackle he endured.
Arizona State is now on its second and final bye week of the season and will look at it as time for players dinged up to get healthy. The Sun Devils return to action when they take on Oklahoma State (3-4, 0-4 B12) who are dead last in the Big 12 standings.
With extended time off to recuperate, Dillingham stated that Leavitt’s status is unclear at the moment and there is a chance he will miss a second consecutive matchup.
“Obviously Sam, hopefully we’re getting him back. He is questionable still for the game. I would say it’s 50/50 if he is going to return, maybe 60/40 that he won’t. The next week will be telling,” Dillingham said at a press conference on Monday.
The Michigan State transfer Leavitt started the first six games this year, completing 90-of-152 passes and throwing for 1,166 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions. He has also rushed 55 times for four touchdowns and 279 yards.
Stepping in Leavitt’s place vs. the Bearcats, the Sun Devils promoted Jeff Sims to be the starting quarterback and Trenton Bourguet as the backup. Sims threw for 155 yards from 12-of-23 passing and had 14 carries for an additional 53 yards in the loss. Bourguet did not feature.
Time will tell whether Leavitt returns, Sims is the starter against Oklahoma State or the program switches to Bourguet and give him an opportunity to play for the first time this season.
Kenny Dillingham proud of ASU’s fight, praised Cincinnati who ‘deserved to win’
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers the Phoenix Mercury, Suns and ASU Athletics for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
