Sam Leavitt operating at high level as Sun Devils extend win streak

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Arizona State’s redshirt freshman is raising several eyebrows around the Big 12 with his stellar play on the gridiron, and it appears the best is yet to come.

Sam Leavitt put together another memorable performance on the road, and is lighting up defenses with his arm talent. He looked All-Big 12 caliber behind center at Kansas State Saturday night, and played with moxie in front of a hostile crowd.

Leavitt basically picked up where he left off in week 11, and led the Sun Devils on three touchdown drives in the first half, including their opening one against the Wildcats. The former four-star prospect connected with wideout Jordyn Tyson for two scores, tight end Chamon Metayer for another, and within a blink of an eye, Arizona State led 21-0 at halftime. The defense even got in on the action, forced some turnovers, including an interception on the second play of the game, and the Sun Devils played complimentary football throughout the evening.

“We always try to go locked and loaded, that’s our motto, so props to our defense for helping out, creating takeaways, and putting us in situations where we didn’t have to go the length of the field,” Leavitt said. “First drive we only had to go 40 yards, so props to them, and we just executed on offense.”

Arizona State was up 24-0 late in the third quarter before Kansas State finally got on the scoreboard. Most analysts predicted a shootout, and doubted the Sun Devils could pull out the win. However, Leavitt and his teammates proved their doubters wrong, silenced the crowd of 51,180, and the offense was in cruise control for the remainder of the second half.

There’s no denying that Leavitt’s chemistry with Tyson is improving down the stretch, and it’s hard to argue with that when the duo has accounted for five touchdowns over the past three games. Leavitt is enjoying it all too, as the two continue to make magic on the gridiron.

“I mean, [Jordyn Tyson] just has a great feel for the game and constantly works on it,” he said. “Down to every single rep, one on ones, and 11 on 11 situations, I go up and tell him what I was thinking, how he ran his route and everything like that.”

Because of Leavitt’s heroics, Arizona State led Kansas State in first downs, plays, third down efficiency and time of possession. Not to mention for a third-straight game, Leavitt posted three touchdown passes and no interceptions. No doubt it’s a streak that he wants to maintain as Arizona State (8-2) approaches its’ final two games of the regular season against BYU and Arizona.

With dangerous weapons around Leavitt like Tyson, a tenacious group blocking for him up front, and a dynamic rusher like Cam Skattebo to hand the ball off to, the sky’s the limit for the Sun Devils’ offense in his eyes. After the victory, Arizona State is currently tied in second place with Iowa State in the Big 12 standings.

The Sun Devils are one of the league’s hottest teams right now, and they control their own destiny to a berth in the Big 12 Championship Game. Arizona State is also on a four-game winning streak, and has only lost once in their last six contests. What’s even more impressive is the fact that the Sun Devils have defeated two ranked teams this season, and will get an opportunity again when they host the one-loss Cougars.

The 21-year old Leavitt is proud to be an integral part of the Sun Devils’ surge in year two under Kenny Dillingham. He’ll continue to play with a chip on his shoulder, despite the win streak because there are still people out there that don’t think the Sun Devils are contenders.

“Everybody counted us out, and we keep proving them wrong, it’s as simple as that.”