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TEMPE, Ariz. — November 15, 2025
ASU leaned on timely scoring, a composed night from quarterback Jeff Sims, and a defense that came up big in the final moments to hold off West Virginia 25–23 at Mountain America Stadium. The Sun Devils survived a late Mountaineer rally and secured a win that reflects both their resilience and their growth in close games.
A Wild Momentum Swing
The game opened quietly, with West Virginia nudging ahead 3–0 after the first quarter. But Arizona State flipped the script in the second, erupting for 22 unanswered points. Sims guided the Sun Devils efficiently on multiple scoring drives, and ASU’s defense repeatedly shut down WVU’s attempts to respond. By halftime, the Sun Devils had not only erased the deficit — they had seized complete control.
West Virginia, however, refused to go away. The Mountaineers chipped back with a field goal in the third quarter and then mounted a fourth-quarter surge behind quarterback Scotty Fox Jr., who kept their offense alive with chunk plays downfield. A late touchdown gave WVU a 1-point lead, setting up a tense finish. But with the game on the line, Jesus Gomez hit a 49-yard FG to provide ASU with a 2-point lead and was ultimately the nail in the coffin for WVU.
ASU Jeff Sims’ Composed, Efficient Night
Jeff Sims didn’t put up massive numbers, but he delivered exactly what Arizona State needed. He finished 19-of-28 for 207 yards and three touchdowns, completing 68 percent of his passes without a turnover. Every one of ASU’s red-zone trips ended in a touchdown, and Sims was responsible for all three. His calm execution allowed the Sun Devils to maximize their opportunities, especially during the decisive second quarter.
On the ground, Sims also led the way. He rushed for 81 yards on 17 carries, repeatedly extending drives and giving the offense crucial flexibility. Raleek Brown added 53 yards on 14 carries as ASU’s rushing attack compiled 123 yards — a modest total, but enough to maintain balance and control the clock.
Reliable Targets Step Up for ASU
Sims spread the ball around effectively, with six different receivers recording catches. Derek Eusebio led the group with six receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown, while Chamon Metayer added a score of his own on four catches. Jalen Moss hauled in another touchdown and provided 41 yards through the air. None of ASU’s pass-catchers produced a breakout stat line, but together they formed a steady, mistake-free unit that sustained drives.
WVU’s Explosive Passing Game Falls Just Short
The Mountaineers’ offense, on paper, outperformed ASU. Scotty Fox Jr. threw for 353 yards and two touchdowns, averaging a remarkable 18.6 yards per completion. Jarod Bowie was his top target with a game-high 139 receiving yards and a touchdown on seven catches. Cam Vaughn added two receptions that totaled 90 yards, including a 79-yard bomb.
But West Virginia’s big-play fireworks never translated into a consistent threat. Despite racking up 421 total yards, the Mountaineers struggled to finish drives, going just 2-for-4 in the red zone and gaining only 68 yards on the ground. Arizona State’s front seven controlled the trenches, holding WVU to just 1.7 yards per carry and forcing Fox into repeated long-yardage situations.
ASU Defense Delivers When It Matters
ASU’s defense allowed yardage but denied points. The Sun Devils generated three sacks and six tackles for loss, frequently making WVU’s offense work uphill. The group also created the game’s only interception — a crucial takeaway early in the fourth quarter that gave ASU breathing room. West Virginia matched ASU with six tackles for loss of their own, but the Sun Devils’ situational stops ultimately defined the night.
A Classic “Find a Way” Win
Arizona State did not dominate statistically, but it excelled in the moments that decide close games: red-zone efficiency, turnover margin, late-game composure, and execution on third down. The Sun Devils controlled time of possession by five minutes, protected the football, and played their cleanest stretches during the twenty-two-point second quarter.
For West Virginia, the loss will be a frustrating one — their explosive passing was good enough to win under many circumstances, but stalled drives, limited rushing production, and two empty red-zone trips made the difference in what became a two-point defeat.
Final
Arizona State 25, West Virginia 23.
A gritty effort, a complete team response, and a fourth-down defensive stand at the horn — the exact recipe ASU needed to keep its Big 12 momentum rolling.
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