No. 14 BYU’s Comeback Falls Short In Loss To No. 21 Arizona State

Nov 23, 2024, 5:15 PM | Updated: 5:15 pm

TEMPE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 23: Jake Retzlaff #12 of the Brigham Young Cougars talks with his team in a huddle before the NCAAF game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

BY MITCH HARPER

KSL Sports

TEMPE, Ariz. – No. 14 BYU couldn’t get enough second-half stops as the No. 21 Arizona State Sun Devils held on for a 28-23 win.

The final play was delayed several minutes after Arizona State fans stormed the field, mistakenly thinking time had expired. After a nearly 15-minute break to clear the field, Jake Retzlaff’s Hail Mary pass was caught by Chase Roberts short of the goal line. Two ASU defenders dragged down Roberts as the clock expired.

pic.twitter.com/Izud3oyOgc

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) November 24, 2024

BYU enters the matchup with a 9-1 overall record and 6-1 in Big 12 Conference play. The Cougars are No. 14 in the College Football Playoff Top 25 rankings.

They dropped from No. 6 to No. 14 after an upset loss to Kansas last week.

Views from Arizona State. pic.twitter.com/H1dSsFciyA

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2024

Arizona State is ranked No. 21 after taking down previously ranked Kansas State in Manhattan last week.

The Sun Devils are 8-2 overall, 5-2 in Big 12 play. Arizona State is undefeated in games played at Mountain America Stadium this season, while BYU is undefeated on the road. Something has got to give.

Live updates for No. 14 BYU vs. No. 21 Arizona State

KSL Sports is inside Mountain America Stadium for the Top 25 showdown in Big 12 play.

Keep checking here for updates throughout the afternoon as BYU squares off against Arizona State for the first time in Tempe since 1997.

Pregame

#BYU starting safety Crew Wakley is going through the first phase of warmups.#BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/vhXBV0Pt76

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2024

#BYU WR Cody Hagen is available again after missing the past two games.#BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/bBCpETzdQf

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2024

#BYU vs. ASU is getting spicy in pregame warmups. 😮 #BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/rurvdbZkH4

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 23, 2024

Already some spice on the field between No. 21 ASU and No. 14 BYU ahead of their massive game with the winner much closer to a Big 12 title game👀 pic.twitter.com/YiyqIYAxrd

— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) November 23, 2024

What are your expectations for #BYU QB Jake Retzlaff today against Arizona State?#BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/R6Or6mE06T

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2024

Outstanding uniform matchup today. pic.twitter.com/yzErEABk9i

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2024

LISTEN LIVE: @BYUfootball is on the road to face @ASUFootball on @kslnewsradio and:https://t.co/MnRQue1yCP pic.twitter.com/4Lu31YpbOt

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 23, 2024

First Quarter

Arizona State was all over #BYU on 4th & 6. Jake Retzlaff had nowhere to throw. Turnover on downs from the ASU 46-yard line.#BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2024

#BYU's defense had no answer for Cam Skattebo on the first drive.

That has been a trend for BYU to start games poorly on defense. But they couldn't keep the Sun Devils out of the end zone.

Skattebo had 7 carries for 44 yards, 1 TD, 6.3 ypc on the first drive.#BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2024

Two drives, two turnovers for #BYU to open this game.

– Turnover on Downs
– Interception#BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2024

A lot of blue in Tempe.#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/uPMkMPn1Dt

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 23, 2024

Jake Retzlaff tossed a pass to the right side. The ASU DE engaged with Isaiah Jatta, got his hand up, and deflected the pass.

ASU LB Jordan Crook dives out and picks it off.

Both of #BYU's drives stalled in Arizona State territory.#BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2024

Arizona State closed the first quarter with a 4th down conversion by RB Cam Skattebo.

Initially, #BYU's defense looked to have the stop, but Skattebo's trademark second effort moved the sticks.#BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2024

Second Quarter

#BYU's defense comes up with an interception.

Tanner Wall with the pick.

Sam Leavitt's first interception since the Utah game on October 11.#BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2024

#BYU has recorded at least one interception in all 11 games this season.#BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2024

Another great play from #BYU's special teams.

BYU speedster Evan Johnson was there to ensure Sam Vander Haar's punt was inside the ASU 5-yard line.#BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2024

Arizona State completes a 12-play, 95-yard drive with a Cam Skattebo 4-yard touchdown.

Longest ASU drive of the season.#BYU's defense is struggling without Taggart in the middle.#BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2024

Arizona State recovers an onside kick. The kick hit #BYU's Talan Alfrey, but he couldn't come up with it. ASU takes over at the 50-yard line with a 14-0 lead.

Wow.#BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2024

Cam Skattebo pulled a Terrell Owens signing a football after a 23-yard touchdown run.#BYU #BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2024

#BYU's defense did not show up in the first half. They can't tackle Skattebo.#BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2024

Will Ferrin delivers some points for #BYU.

49-yard field goal.

ASU 21, BYU 3

0:25 – 2nd Quarter#BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2024

Arizona State – 21
BYU – 3

Halftime#BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/rUzVIxTbq8

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 23, 2024

Third Quarter

Kalani Sitake told ESPN that Tyler Batty spoke to the #BYU team in the halftime locker room as the Cougars face a 21-3 deficit against Arizona State.#BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2024

Miles Hall gets a sack on Dallin Leavitt on 3rd & 4, but #BYU CB Marque Collins was called for a defensive holding.#BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2024

Turnover on downs for Arizona State.#BYU's defense gets a stop.

ASU goes for it on 4th & Goal from the 4, and the Cougs get off the field.#BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2024

#BYU football caps off a 96-yard drive with a Keelan Marion TD run inside the red zone on a jet sweep.#BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2024

RELATED: Jake Retzlaff, Keelan Marion Carry BYU To Long Touchdown Drive

KEE FOR SIX.

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/LVouwi0ENZ

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) November 23, 2024

#BYU's offense from earlier in the season has suddenly returned. https://t.co/FmeTbLjpQM

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2024

SIX.@jretz11 👉 @josiahphillip20

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/IE1P32aOJY

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) November 23, 2024

Third Quarter

#BYU's defense gets a stop. Arizona State punts for the first time with 12:28 remaining in the fourth.#BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2024

The north endzone #BYU is heading into in the fourth quarter has a clock issue right now. The clock is at 4:17, and the play clock isn't working.#BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2024

Jake Retzlaff stays in the pocket and takes a massive blindside hit. He was able to get rid of it at the last second and completes a pass to Darius Lassiter for 24 yards.#BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2024

Keelan Marion scores on a 1-yard touchdown run.#BYU is looking to make an incredible comeback.#BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2024

Keelan Marion TD x2 🤙 pic.twitter.com/HjjglQC3LX

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 23, 2024

INTO THE END ZONE FOR THE SECOND TIME @keelanmarion1

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/csYkTRbYXT

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) November 23, 2024

RELATED: Keelan Marion’s Second Rushing Touchdown Keeps BYU Alive

#BYU comes up with a 4th down stop! Isaiah Glasker tackles Sam Leavitt.

BYU takes over on its own 11.#BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2024

#BYU has the ball with a chance to win this game.#BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/fokTNztxwC

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 23, 2024

Jake Retzlaff throws an interception. The ball goes by the outstretched hands of Darius Lassiter. ASU ball.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2024

BYU/Arizona State Game Day Reading

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.