Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt. Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Watch: Bold fourth-down call pays off for Arizona State in Big 12 championship game

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Dec 7, 2024 12:49 PM ET

Arizona State's major gamble paid off.

During the first quarter of the Big 12 championship game against College Football Playoff No. 16 Iowa State (10-2), Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham made the bold, aggressive decision to keep his offense on the field on a fourth-and-inches from the Sun Devils' 34-yard line.

But instead of running a conservative play to pick up the first down, freshman Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt heaved a deep pass to senior wide receiver Melquan Stovall for a 63-yard completion.

ARIZONA STATE WITH THE BIG PLAY ON FOURTH AND ONE! pic.twitter.com/ia7e8APDVY
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) December 7, 2024

No. 15 Arizona State (10-2) scored a touchdown three plays later on a designed quarterback run to take a 10-7 lead.

Sam Leavitt takes it in for six pic.twitter.com/HaEpIKuJkU
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) December 7, 2024

Dillingham's fourth-down call is the kind that gets praised when it goes right but crucified when it goes haywire.

It's also a clear sign Arizona State won't play scared with an automatic CFP berth on the line.

While some teams shrink or get tight under bright lights, the Sun Devils are leaving everything on the field.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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