Friday night under the lights in the desert delivered another instant classic, as Arizona State overcame a 17-point first-half deficit to upset No. 24 TCU 27-24 behind late-game heroics from Sam Leavitt and Jesus Gomez.

The Sun Devils (4-1, 2-0 Big 12) found themselves in a 17-0 hole midway through the second quarter before catching fire. Leavitt, the redshirt freshman quarterback, led the comeback with poise and explosiveness, finishing with 291 passing yards and two touchdowns on 27-of-39 attempts. His top target, wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, caught eight passes for 126 yards and two scores, including the game-tying touchdown with 1:50 to play.

“Down 17-0, things just weren’t going our way,” said Leavitt. “We’re a really tough team and we just compete.”

After Leavitt’s 4-yard TD pass to Tyson, the Arizona State defense immediately turned the game on its head. Edge rusher Prince Dorbuh strip-sacked TCU quarterback Josh Hoover, and the Sun Devils recovered at the Horned Frogs’ 15-yard line.

Despite earlier misses from 46 and 43 yards, kicker Jesus Gomez delivered when it mattered most, drilling a 23-yard field goal with 1:14 remaining. It marked the second straight week Gomez hit a game-winner after lifting ASU over Baylor.

“Every close of the game, it’s incredible our guys find ways to get it done in the big moments,” said ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham. “It’s a testament to the character of the guys we have on our team.”

TCU (3-1, 0-1 Big 12) had opportunities, even after blowing the 17-point lead. The Horned Frogs went up 24-17 in the fourth quarter on Hoover’s QB sneak and stopped ASU twice inside the 5-yard line. But six sacks, three turnovers, and just 10 rushing yards on 25 carries proved too much to overcome.

Arizona State’s defense sealed the win with Martell Hughes’ interception – Hoover’s second of the game – as the Horned Frogs attempted a last-minute drive. Special teams miscues, including poor punts and Gomez’s early misses, added drama to the Sun Devils’ night, but ultimately did not cost them.

Up Next, TCU hosts Coach Prime and the Colorado Buffaloes on Oct. 4 in a must-win bounce-back game.