The Republic analyzes ASU football’s season, previews Utah matchup
Arizona Republic writers Michelle Gardner and Logan Stanley review the Sun Devils’ football season so far and preview their Big 12 game against Utah.
The Arizona State Sun Devils and Utah Utes face off in a Big 12 college football Week 7 game today at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.
Follow our live updates for the latest score, news, notes, highlights and analysis of the Big 12 conference game on Saturday, Oct. 11.
These teams faced off for the first time as Big 12 rivals last season, with ASU football getting a 27-19 victory at home.
Arizona State is coming off a 27-24 win over TCU in college football Week 5. It was off in Week 6. Utah beat West Virginia on the road in Week 5, 48-14. It was also off last week.
Utah leads Arizona State in the fourth quarter, 42-10.
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Utah added another rushing score with a 4-yard run from backup QB Byrd Ficklin to make this a 42-10 game.
The TD capped off a 4-play, 42 yard drive for the Utes, who now have 268 rushing yards against the Sun Devils.
Ouch.
Score: Utah 42, Arizona State 10 (10:05 left in fourth quarter)
The Sun Devils had a 1st & 10 at the Utah 44 on their next drive, before Jeff Sims was sacked on three straight plays for losses of 10, 11 and 5 yards, forcing ASU to punt on a 4th & 36 at the ASU 30.
It’s been a struggle for Sims and the ASU offense against Utah.
He is 14-for-28 passing the ball for 84 yards in the game.
There is 11:49 left in the fourth quarter.
It’s the Devon Dampier show in Salt Lake City.
The Utah quarterback just ran for his third touchdown, this one from nine yards out, to give Utah a 35-10 lead late in the third quarter.
Utah had a 3rd & 8 at the Utah 48 early in the drive, but ASU couldn’t get the stop as Dampier connected on a 11-yard pass to Dallen Bentley to extend the drive.
Dampier later had a 22-yard run to help set up his score for the Utes.
Dampier now has 10 carries for 120 yards and three touchdowns for the Utes.
He is 7-for-12 for 104 yards passing the ball.
Score: Utah 35, Arizona State 10 (:45 seconds in third quarter)
The Sun Devils have scored their first touchdown against Utah.
Jordyn Tyson just rushed for a 4-yard touchdown for the Sun Devils, giving ASU a desperately-needed touchdown and making the score 28-10.
The ASU drive went for 13 plays and 75 yards. It took 6:28 off the clock.
Jeff Sims picked up a big first down with a 20-yard run on a 3rd & 13 play at the Utah 47 on the drive.
ASU also got a first down on a 4th & 1 play at the Utah 7 on a Utah delay of game call, much to the dismay of Utah fans.
Score: Utah 28, ASU 10 (4:32 left in third quarter)
This game is getting out of hand.
Utah just scored its fourth rushing touchdown of the game, this one on a pitch from Devon Dampier to NaQuari Rogers from 2-yards out to extend the Utes’ lead to 28-3.
And we are only four minutes into the third quarter.
ASU’s Myles Rowser intercepted Devon Dampier in the end zone on the drive, but was called for pass interference, giving Utah a 1st & goal inside the three.
Utah also had a 56-yard pass from Dampier to Ryan Davis on the drive.
The Sun Devils have not looked like themselves defensively in this game. Utah has 278 total yards of offense, 185 of which have come on the ground.
The Utes are averaging 7.3 yards per play.
Score: Utah 28, Arizona State 3 (11:00 left in third quarter)
The Sun Devils just started the second half with a 3-and-out, rushing for one yard, five yards and throwing an incomplete pass on the possession.
Not ideal.
ASU’s defense really need to step up on Utah’s first possession of the second half.
The first half at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City was all Utes.
Utah ran its way to a 21-3 lead on Arizona State, carrying the ball 24 times for 183 yards and three touchdowns.
QB Devon Dampier ran the ball seven times for 87 yards and two scores.
ASU was outgained in the first half, 220-115.
Jeff Sims, playing QB for an injured Sam Leavitt, was 10-for-18 for 51 yards. He rushed the ball eight times for 25 yards.
We thought it was going to be difficult for ASU without Leavitt, but we didn’t anticipate the Sun Devils’ run defense struggling this much.
ASU gets the ball to open the second half and will look to try to get back into this game.
Interestingly, ASU has a 17:54 to 12:06 time of possession advantage in this game. Utah hasn’t needed much time to score, while ASU came up empty when a field goal was blocked after a long possession in the first half.
Halftime score: Utah 21, Arizona State 3
ASU is getting blown out at the line of scrimmage, both sides of the ball. The run defense has been particularly poor, which is unusual. Utah already with 183 yards rushing, Dampier with 87
— Michelle Gardner (@MGardnerSports) October 12, 2025
The Utes are running on ASU.
ASU can’t stop the Utah ground game, with the team’s latest score a 22-yard run from NaQuari Rogers, a run that capped a 6-play, 75 yard drive.
Arizona State entered the game with the second best run defense in the Big 12.
You wouldn’t believe it the way Utah is running the ball.
Utah now has 24 carries for 183 yards and three touchdown runs in this game. It is averaging 7.6 rush yards per play.
You can’t blame not having QB Sam Leavitt in this game for ASU for that.
Score: Utah 21, Arizona State 3 (1:04 left in second quarter)
The Sun Devils just had the ball for 8:22. They had 15 plays and went 63 yards. And they came up completely empty.
Utah blocked a 29-yard field goal attempt by Jesus Gomez after a bad snap, giving the Utes the ball at the Utah 25.
ASU has struggled in the red zone all season and those struggles have continued tonight.
ASU had a 1st & 10 at the Utah 17 on the drive.
Jeff Sims was able to extend the drive with a 3-yard run on a 4th & 1 play at the Utah 31, to help ASU get into scoring position, but ASU couldn’t capitalize.
Sims is just 7-for-13 passing in this game for 13 yards. ASU is obviously missing starting quarterback Sam Leavitt, but it has had chances to be closer in this game.
Arizona State doesn’t have any answers for Devon Dampier and the Utah run game early in this game.
Dampier just ran for his second touchdown, this one from 24-yards out, to give Utah a 14-3 lead over Arizona State.
The Utah offensive line is dominating the line of scrimmage so far in this game.
Utah has 19 carries for 112 yards, with Dampier carrying the ball four times for 45 yards and the two scores.
Utah was able to extend the drive with a 5-yard run from Devon Dampier on a 4th & 1 play at the ASU 38.
Utah only needed eight plays to go 59 yards on the drive.
Score: Utah 14, Arizona State 3 (11:27 left in second quarter)
Dampier with a 24 yard run, makes it 14-3.
Utah now has 112 yards rushing. That’s more than ASU was giving per game coming in. Another tough start for the Sun Devils
— Michelle Gardner (@MGardnerSports) October 12, 2025
The Sun Devils did get anything going on their second offensive possession of the game.
Raleek Brown lost four yards on a rush on first down, and then Jordyn Tyson lost three yards on a catch on second down.
Jeff Sims was able to run for 14 yards on 3rd down, but ASU had to punt.
After two impressive opening drives in this game, both offenses stalled on their second possession.
ASU’s defense held strong on the second Utah offensive possession of the game, only allowing the Utes to pick up one first down on the drive.
Adrian Wilson almost intercepted Devon Dampier on the final play of Utah’s drive before the Utes had to punt it.
Utah ran five plays on the drive and gained 16 yards.
The Sun Devils are on the board in Salt Lake City.
ASU just drive 54 yards in 16 plays, getting a 38-yard field goal from Jesus Gomez to pull within 7-3 with 2:34 left in the first quarter.
Arizona State gambled on the drive early, getting a 3-yard run from Raleek Brown to extend the possession on a 4th & 1 play at the ASU 34.
The Sun Devils completed another 4th down with a 7-yard pass from Jeff Sims to Jordyn Tyson on a 4th & 7 at the Utah 41.
A 15-yard pass interference penalty on Utah trying to defend Tyson on 3rd & 9 play at the Utah 33 also helped ASU on the drive.
But, the Sun Devils were not able to overcome a 10-yard holding penalty on 1st & 10 at the Utah 18 that pushed ASU back. The penalty was called on offensive lineman Jimeto Obigbo right after he came in for an injured Ben Coleman.
Still, ASU was able to move the ball, which is a good sign, especially with Sims going just 3-for-8 for 20 yards passing on the possession.
Score: Utah 7, Arizona State 3 (2:34 left in first quarter)
The ASU vs Utah game is now airing on ESPN after starting on ESPNEWS. It started on ESPNEWS because the Florida vs Texas A&M game ran long on ESPN.
The Utes received the opening kickoff against the Sun Devils in the Big 12 football game between the old Pac-12 rivals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday night.
And they put together an impressive drive in the rain to take the early lead.
Devon Dampier capped off a 14-play, 75-yard drive with a 12-yard run for a touchdown on 4th & 2 at the ASU 12 to give Utah a 7-0 lead on Arizona State with 9:56 left in the first quarter.
Dampier was 2-for-3 passing for 21 yards on the drive. Utah rushed the ball 11 times for 49 yards.
It was a perfect start for the Utes’ offense, and a rough start for the Sun Devils’ defense, who hurt itself with an offside penalty that gave Utah a first down on a 3rd & 5 play at the ASU 39.
Score: Utah 7, Arizona State 0 (9:56 left in first quarter)
Utah strikes first, taking the opening kickoff. 75 yards in 14 plays, 5:04 TOP. Devon Dampier a 12-yard run. That was ridiculously easy.
— Michelle Gardner (@MGardnerSports) October 12, 2025
The Arizona State vs Utah game is currently airing on ESPNEWS because ESPN is still showing the conclusion of the Florida vs Texas A&M game.
ESPN will switch to the ASU football vs Utah game after that game ends.
Utah Athletics has provided an update on the start time for the Arizona State vs Utah Big 12 game tonight at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.
It posted: “The lightning threat has passed. It is safe to return to @Rice_Eccles. Please follow directions from stadium staff and watch for updates. Thank you for your cooperation. Kickoff is set for 8:25PM MT.”
It is going to be a wet, windy game between the Sun Devils and Utes, but the kickoff is now scheduled to only be delayed by 10 minutes from the original 7:15 p.m. MST scheduled start.
The Florida vs Texas A&M game is currently airing on ESPN, which is scheduled to air the ASU vs Utah game, with that game early in the fourth quarter of play, meaning the start of ASU football vs Utah could also be pushed back because of that game, or pushed to another network.
The lightning threat has passed. It is safe to return to @Rice_Eccles. Please follow directions from stadium staff and watch for updates. Thank you for your cooperation. Kickoff is set for 8:25PM MT. https://t.co/0oDgevoNFa
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) October 12, 2025
A storm is rolling through Salt Lake City, bringing rain and lightning to Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Might it delay the 7:15 p.m. MST game between Arizona State and Utah?
We haven’t heard anything yet from game officials, but it appears like the game could be delayed, unless the weather clears up rapidly.
Utah Athletics posted on X that an update about the game time was expected by 6:50 p.m. MST (Arizona time).
The 7:15 p.m. MST game might have an even later start for the Sun Devils and Utes.
We are still in a weather delay with regard to pregame activities. A status update is expected by 7:50PM MT.
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) October 12, 2025
Lots of lightning here right now. No official word yet but I would be surprised if this started on time. Stay tuned.
— Michelle Gardner (@MGardnerSports) October 12, 2025
With lighting now happening more frequently, a delay in kickoff seems like a matter of when it will be announced, not if. Ironically, it was a beautiful day in SLC, if only the kickoff weren’t this late in the evening…
— DevilsDigest.com (@DevilsDigest) October 12, 2025
The Arizona State vs Utah tonight would be interesting even in perfect weather.
But the elements could add some intrigue to the game in Salt Lake City tonight.
Rain and thunderstorms have been projected in the Salt Lake City area today with a high chance of rain at kickoff, according to some sites.
ASU football tried to prepare with wet footballs during the week, anticipating the possibility of inclement conditions at Rice-Eccles Stadium, in addition to the fired up crowd of Utah fans.
Yes, this Big 12 game could be very interesting …
Fans who are outside the stadium, with tickets, are encouraged to enter the stadium to seek shelter on the concourse or return to your vehicles. https://t.co/8sR1KgwKHF
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) October 12, 2025
It’s absolutely pouring outside the stadium right now, thunder shaking the place, rain coming down hard. It even hailed for a bit, but now it’s just sheets of rain. https://t.co/jxqeS1oICG
— George Lund (@GLundMedia) October 12, 2025
ASU has announced that starting quarterback Sam Leavitt is out for the game against Utah tonight, with Jeff Sims scheduled to start at QB.
Sims hasn’t attempted a pass this season. He was 13-for-25 for 168 yards filling in for Leavitt last season, also carrying the ball 24 times for 101 yards and a touchdown.
In his career, Sims, who also played at Georgia Tech and Nebraska, is 405-for-705 passing for 4,914 yards, 31 touchdowns, with 29 passes intercepted. He has carried the ball 346 times for 1,478 yards and 13 touchdowns in his career.
Might ASU go with a very run-heavy game plan against Utah to try to play to Sims’ strengths and limit the opportunity for interceptions?
ASU coaches have expressed confidence in Sims leading up to the game.
The ASU football vs Utah game could have big implications on the Big 12 football standings.
Utah enters the game 1-1 in conference play, having lost to Texas Tech.
Arizona State is 2-0 in the Big 12, with a game against Texas Tech next week.
An ASU win could set up a huge matchup with the Red Raiders in Tempe on Oct. 18, and it would drop Utah to 1-2 in conference play.
But a Utah win would put the Utes at 2-1 in the Big 12, right in the thick of the race for the Big 12 title.
ASU was ranked No. 23 in the US LBM Coaches Poll for this week, while Utah was the first team out of the ranking.
Arizona State was No. 21 in the AP Top 25, while Utah was fourth in the other teams receiving votes in that poll this week.
The Sun Devils are a big underdog against the Utes in tonight’s Big 12 game. How big of an underdog?
BetMGM Sportsbook had Utah as a 9.5-point favorite about three hours before the scheduled kickoff.
Why is Utah such a big favorite?
Arizona State will be without starting quarterback Sam Leavitt in the game, with Jeff Sims starting for the Sun Devils.
ASU was still a 5.5-point underdog earlier in the week before Leavitt’s injury was disclosed.
Only one picker on ESPN GameDay on Saturday picked the Sun Devils to beat the Utes in Salt Lake City: Guest picker Sabrina Ionescu.
Here’s what the Sun Devils are wearing against the Utes today:
And this is what Utah is wearing against Arizona State in the game today:
The Big 12 college football Week 7 game between Utah and Arizona State can be seen at 7:15 p.m. MST (10:15 p.m. ET) on Saturday, Oct. 11, on ESPN.
The Utah vs ASU football Week 7 Big 12 college football game can be streamed on FUBO, and other streaming services that carry ESPN, including Sling.
Dave Flemming will have the play-by-play call of the Sun Devils vs Utes Big 12 game, with Brock Osweiler as the analyst for the college football Week 7 game.
Utah is a 9.5-point favorite over Arizona State in college football Week 7 odds for the game, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
The Utes are -375 on the moneyline, while the Sun Devils are +290.
The over/under (point total) for the game is set at 43.5 points.
The Arizona Republic’s Jeremy Cluff is predicting a 23-20 win for Arizona State over Utah in the Big 12 Week 7 college football game today.
Other sites lean toward the Utes beating the Sun Devils in their Arizona State vs Utah college football Week 7 Big 12 game picks and game predictions.
Big 12 football game picks: Arizona | Arizona State | Baylor | BYU | Cincinnati | Colorado | Houston | Iowa State | Kansas | Kansas State | Oklahoma State | TCU | Texas Tech | UCF | Utah | West Virginia | Projected Big 12 standings, records
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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