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ASU found a much-needed response on Saturday afternoon, leaning on a record-setting performance from freshman running back Cardae Mack and an unexpected spark from freshman quarterback Jake Fette to secure a 28-17 victory over Kansas State at Mountain America Stadium.
After a difficult loss to Texas Tech the previous week, the Sun Devils entered Saturday needing more than just a win. They needed momentum, consistency and a reason to believe their season could get back on track. Against a Kansas State team playing without starting quarterback Avery Johnson, ASU delivered a second-half response that showcased the potential of its young talent.
Mack was the undisputed star, rushing for 159 yards and four touchdowns on 26 carries. His historic afternoon helped Arizona State improve to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in Big 12 play, while the emergence of Fette added another significant storyline to a game that could influence the direction of the Sun Devils’ offense moving forward.
Mack Takes Over in Historic Performance for ASU
Some performances define a game, and others announce the arrival of a player who could become a central piece of a program’s future. Mack’s performance against Kansas State managed to do both.
The true freshman found the end zone four times, becoming the first Arizona State true freshman since Leon Burton in 1955 to record four rushing touchdowns in a game. His 159 yards on 26 carries demonstrated a combination of vision, physicality and explosiveness that Kansas State struggled to contain throughout the afternoon.
Mack opened the scoring for the Sun Devils with a nine-yard touchdown run after quarterback Mikey Keene connected with Reed Harris on a 51-yard completion. He added a one-yard touchdown in the second quarter, helping Arizona State take a 14-10 lead into halftime.
However, the biggest moments of Mack’s afternoon came when ASU needed them most.
With Kansas State taking a 17-14 lead late in the third quarter, Arizona State needed a response. Mack provided it, breaking through for a 12-yard touchdown run on the opening play of the fourth quarter to put ASU ahead 21-17.
He wasn’t finished.
After the Sun Devils’ defense continued to keep the Wildcats off the scoreboard, Mack delivered the knockout punch with an 11-yard touchdown run with 6:23 remaining. The score extended the lead to 28-17, giving Arizona State the cushion it needed to close out the victory.
Mack’s emergence has quickly become one of the most encouraging developments of the Sun Devils’ season. After limited opportunities early in the year, he broke out against Hawaii with 154 rushing yards and two touchdowns. His performance against Kansas State reinforced that the freshman is capable of carrying a significant workload and becoming a focal point of the offense.
For Arizona State, the challenge now is turning Mack’s breakout performances into sustained production. If he continues to run with this level of confidence and efficiency, the Sun Devils could have a dependable offensive centerpiece as the Big 12 schedule continues.
ASU Jake Fette Provides a Spark After Mikey Keene’s Injury
While Mack’s four-touchdown performance stole the headlines, the quarterback situation became one of the most important storylines of the afternoon.
Keene made his first start for Arizona State and initially gave the offense a much-needed boost. He completed 10 of 20 passes for 160 yards before leaving late in the first half after taking a hit. His injury created another difficult situation for an offense that has struggled to establish stability at quarterback this season.
Cutter Boley entered in relief, but the offense struggled to find its rhythm. After three consecutive second-half drives ended in three-and-outs, Arizona State turned to freshman Jake Fette late in the third quarter.
The change was noticeable.
Fette brought a different level of energy to the offense, using his mobility to create opportunities and helping Arizona State establish a more effective ground attack. Although he completed just three of six passes for 45 yards, his impact extended beyond the passing statistics. The freshman helped lead the two fourth-quarter scoring drives that ultimately secured the win.
Fette’s introduction also gave ASU a glimpse of what their offense could look like with a more mobile quarterback operating behind an offensive line that has struggled with consistency.
The victory does not erase the questions surrounding the position, but it certainly adds another dimension to the conversation.
Following the game, head coach Kenny Dillingham indicated that Fette would likely start the following week against BYU, depending on Keene’s health. That decision could represent an important turning point for the Sun Devils as they look to build continuity and offensive momentum.
ASU Defense Delivers When It Matters Most
Arizona State’s offense deserved the spotlight, but the defense played a crucial role in protecting the lead.
Kansas State entered the game without starting quarterback Avery Johnson, leaving Jacob Knuth to direct the Wildcats’ offense. Knuth finished with 194 passing yards, a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown, but Kansas State struggled to establish a consistent ground game.
The Wildcats managed just 84 rushing yards and 278 total yards, while Arizona State finished with 359 total yards.
Martell Hughes led the Sun Devils with 14 tackles, while Owen Long added 10. Ashton Stamps also contributed three pass breakups.
Those defensive efforts became especially important in the fourth quarter. After Mack gave Arizona State the lead, the defense stopped Kansas State on fourth down, denying the Wildcats an opportunity to answer.
That possession helped preserve the momentum Arizona State had built and allowed the offense to return to the field with a chance to extend its advantage.
The defense wasn’t perfect, but its ability to limit Kansas State to 17 points and prevent a fourth-quarter comeback was a major factor in the victory.
Looking Ahead: Arizona State Travels to BYU
Arizona State’s next challenge will be considerably more difficult as the Sun Devils travel to face BYU on Halloween, October 31.
The victory over Kansas State gives Arizona State an opportunity to carry momentum into a matchup that could have meaningful implications for its position in the Big 12 standings. However, Saturday’s performance also highlighted several areas that must improve if the Sun Devils hope to leave Provo with another victory.
First, the quarterback situation must become more settled. If Fette gets the starting nod, Arizona State will need to help the freshman manage the game, make sound decisions and avoid putting him in difficult situations. His mobility provides a different element to the offense, but the Sun Devils cannot rely exclusively on their running game to carry them through every matchup.
Second, Mack must remain the centerpiece of the ground attack. His ability to break tackles, find running lanes and finish drives gives Arizona State an offensive identity it can build around. Establishing him early against BYU could help relieve pressure on the quarterback and create opportunities for the passing game.
Third, the defense must continue to improve. Arizona State did an excellent job limiting Kansas State’s rushing production, but the Sun Devils will need another disciplined performance against a BYU team playing at home. Winning on the road in conference play requires consistent tackling, sound assignments and an ability to get off the field on third down.
Finally, Arizona State needs to demonstrate that Saturday’s win was the beginning of a turnaround rather than an isolated performance. The Sun Devils have shown flashes of potential this season, but consistency has remained a challenge. A strong showing against BYU would provide further evidence that this young roster is beginning to find its footing.
Final Takeaway
Arizona State’s 28-17 victory over Kansas State was about more than the final score. It was a reminder of the potential within this roster and the importance of finding an identity at a critical point in the season.
Mack delivered a historic performance that could establish him as one of the team’s most important offensive weapons. Fette provided a spark at quarterback when the Sun Devils needed it most, while the defense made the plays necessary to protect a fourth-quarter lead.
There are still questions to answer, particularly at quarterback, and the upcoming trip to BYU will offer a much clearer picture of where this team stands.
But for one Saturday in Tempe, Arizona State found a formula that worked: feed its emerging freshman star, inject energy into the offense and finish the game with a defense capable of making timely stops.
Now the challenge is repeating it.
If Mack continues to produce at this level and Fette can build on his encouraging debut, the Sun Devils may have found the combination they need to make the second half of their season far more competitive.
Arizona State got the win it needed. Against BYU, the Sun Devils will have a chance to prove it can become something more.
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