TEMPE — Arizona State slipped out of the AP Top 25 when it lost its first home loss since 2023 after falling to Houston, 24-16, on Saturday.
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Oct 25, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) against the Houston Cougars in the second half at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
After defeating then-No. 7 Texas Tech the previous week, Arizona State moved up to No. 24. But the high point quickly turned into a hard fall.
The Sun Devils were without star wide receiver Jordyn Tyson and quarterback Sam Leavitt was injured midgame. Despite making his way, head coach Kenny Dillingham suggested Leavitt sustained multiple injuries.
The Sun Devils were held scoreless for the first three quarters of the game.
Oct 25, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Houston Cougars tight end Tanner Koziol (9) catches a pass against Arizona State Sun Devils safety Kyndrich Breedlove (5) in the first half at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Leavitt ended the night with 18 passes for 270 yards and one touchdown. Backup quarterback Jeff Sims did what he could on offense without Leavitt, completing six of 11 passes for 58 yards and one touchdown. Jesus Gomes only made one field goal on three attempts, a rarity for the senior kicker.
The undefeated home streak also hits close to home for fans who have turned out to support the Sun Devils. Penalties and frustration on the sidelines boiled over during Saturday’s game, with some fans throwing trash onto the field. Overall, it was not a game to remember.
ASU fans are throwing water bottles onto the field and shouting, “Refs you suck.”@FOX10Phoenix pic.twitter.com/Oq5Lti7Mbu
— Blake Niemann (@Blakes_Take2) October 26, 2025
Arizona State is 5-3 for the season and 3-2 in conference play.
The defeat now changes the team’s postseason trajectory. With little margin for error the rest of the season, they are in danger of no longer controlling their own destiny. However, Dillingham said he doesn’t think the panic button should be pressed yet.
“We have the same record in conference that we had last year at this exact time,” he said post-game, according to Cronkite Sports’ Jakob Brooks. “It’s funny, last year it’s like ‘There is no hope.’ This year, ‘There is hope.’ We just gotta go get better.”
Oct 25, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Houston Cougars quarterback Conner Weigman (1) is sacked by Arizona State Sun Devils defensive lineman Justin Wodtly (95) in the first half at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Arizona State is now entering an important stretch of the season with road games looming. It’s not a question of if they can make the playoffs, but how.
ASU goes on the road to face Iowa State on Saturday. Nov. 1, at 10 a.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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