SALT LAKE CITY — Arizona State found itself in a frustrating position without sophomore quarterback Sam Leavitt on Saturday night as the team fell to Utah, 42-10.
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Oct 11, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) runs for a touchdown against Utah Utes cornerback Smith Snowden (2) during the third quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
With Leavitt sidelined due to a right foot/ankle injury, the Sun Devils thrust senior Jeff Sims into the starting role for the first time this season. However, Leavitt’s absence was felt throughout the game.
ASU scored its first points of the game in the first quarter on a field goal by Jesus Gomez. The Sun Devils didn’t score again until the third quarter, when wide receiver Jordyn Tyson ran three yards for the team’s only touchdown of the night.
Oct 11, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Jeff Sims (2) is sacked by Utah Utes safety Nate Tilmon (21) during the fourth quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Sims struggled in his starting role, completing 18 of 38 passes for 124 yards. For comparison, Leavitt completed 27 of 39 passes for 291 yards and two touchdowns against TCU on Sept. 26.
ASU relied evenly on its passing and running game, which may have been a strategic move to help Sims. However, without Leavitt’s quickness and throwing abilities, the powerful offense the team is used to producing fell flat against Utah.
Oct 11, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) warms up with a walking boot on his foot before the game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Leavitt was seen pregame in a walking boot, but it’s still unclear how much longer he’ll be out. That leaves Arizona State with a significant hole to fill. Given how quickly things unraveled, Saturday’s loss may have come down to the Sun Devils needing to make quick adjustments that simply weren’t fast enough.
While it’s still unclear how much time the Sun Devils’ starting quarterback will need to recover, the team may not know how much his absence will impact them in the long run.
Oct 11, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Kenny Dillingham looks on during the third quarter of the game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
For fans, watching ASU lose a game this way will be another tough pill to swallow. The Sun Devils’ two losses this season have come on the road, with the first to Mississippi State on Sept. 6.
Arizona State’s schedule only gets tougher from here, with the team set to face No. 9 Texas Tech in its next matchup. The Sun Devils will have just a week to assess and adjust, with or without Leavitt, or risk another tough loss.
Leavitt’s unexpected injury has definitely thrown a wrench into a chemistry-filled group that seemed like it was regaining its spark from last season.
DE C.J. Fite on how the cold and wet conditions affected No. 21 Arizona State’s blowout loss to Utah, 42-10:
“It really shouldn’t matter…all that should be irrelevant…we just gotta be better moving forward…”@CronkiteSports pic.twitter.com/equPrTUdZv
— Max Zepeda (@MaxZepedaSports) October 12, 2025
Arizona State hosts Texas Tech on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 1 p.m.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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