The Arizona State Sun Devils face a significant hurdle in their season, with star quarterback Sam Leavitt officially ruled out for the highly anticipated rematch against Iowa State. A persistent foot injury, aggravated during last week’s loss to Houston, forces Leavitt to the sidelines, thrusting sixth-year player Jeff Sims into the starting role as ASU navigates a critical juncture in the Big 12 conference race.
The Arizona State Sun Devils are heading into a crucial Big 12 rematch against Iowa State without their starting quarterback, Sam Leavitt. The dynamic signal-caller will miss the upcoming game due to a lingering right foot injury, a development that casts a shadow over the team’s postseason ambitions and leaves fans pondering the path forward for the defending conference champions. Leavitt’s absence forces a strategic pivot, as sixth-year quarterback Jeff Sims steps in to lead the offense.
The Lingering Injury: A Season-Long Saga for Leavitt
Leavitt’s right foot injury has been a persistent concern for Arizona State throughout the season. He initially sustained the injury against Baylor on September 20 and subsequently sat out a significant 42-10 loss to No. 24 Utah two weeks later. While he returned to heroically lead the Sun Devils to a comeback win over No. 13 Texas Tech on October 18, the issue resurfaced with force last Saturday against No. 22 Houston, as reported by the Associated Press.
During the 24-16 loss to the Cougars, Leavitt exited the game in the first quarter after a hard hit, returned, but then left again in the fourth quarter, visibly limping. Sun Devils coach Kenny Dillingham addressed the ongoing concern, stating, “It’s definitely something that’s been lingering all year… it hasn’t progressed like we hoped. He’s been dealing with this for pretty much the whole year. He hasn’t been at full speed, so we’ll definitely reassess it during the bye and make a decision from there.” Leavitt was seen in a walking boot at Tuesday’s practice, solidifying the team’s decision to rest him.
Jeff Sims Steps In: A Look at the Replacement
In Leavitt’s absence, Jeff Sims will take the reins. Sims, a sixth-year player with prior stints at Georgia Tech and Nebraska before joining the Sun Devils for his second season, is no stranger to starting. He previously filled in for Leavitt against Utah, completing 18 of 38 passes for 124 yards but was sacked five times in the lopsided loss.
Sims, who has a career stat line of 32 touchdowns against 29 interceptions, expressed his readiness for the challenge. “I wasn’t really too shocked after what happened Saturday,” Sims commented upon learning he’d be starting. “I just kind of told myself, ‘just be ready if you got to go.’ I prepare the same way, you know?” Iowa State coach Matt Campbell acknowledges Sims’ capabilities, viewing him as a “unique challenge” for his defense, according to Field Level Media.
Leavitt’s Impact and Season Statistics
Sam Leavitt has been a cornerstone for Arizona State, guiding them to their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance last year. This season, he has thrown for 1,628 yards, 10 touchdowns, and three interceptions. His three touchdown passes in last year’s Big 12 title game against Iowa State were pivotal in the Sun Devils’ dominant 45-19 victory.
The Iowa State Rematch: Stakes Beyond a Title
This Saturday’s contest is more than just a regular-season game; it’s a rematch of last season’s Big 12 Championship. However, the stakes are considerably different this year. Both teams find themselves in a downward slide within the conference. Arizona State (5-3, 3-2 Big 12) has dropped two of its last three games, placing them in a four-way tie for fifth place.
Meanwhile, Iowa State (5-3, 2-3) is enduring its first three-game losing streak since 2022 and currently sits tied for ninth place. The Cyclones are coming off a 41-27 home loss to No. 11 BYU, a game where quarterback Rocco Becht threw a career-high three interceptions. Becht has accumulated 1,933 yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions this season.
Despite their struggles, Iowa State coach Matt Campbell remains optimistic, urging his team to finish strong. “I feel like we’re inches away from being the team we want to be,” Campbell said. “You don’t see a team that’s quitting… you see a team where there’s a couple moments where we’re trying to press the envelope, we’re making critical errors and we’ve got to be better.”
Fan Concerns and What Lies Ahead
The absence of Sam Leavitt undoubtedly raises significant concerns among the Arizona State faithful. His previous sideline stint against Utah resulted in a challenging offensive performance, and fans will be keenly watching how Jeff Sims handles the pressure in Ames. The Big 12 race is tight, and another loss could severely hamper the Sun Devils’ chances of repeating as conference champions or securing a coveted bowl bid.
For Arizona State, the bye week following the Iowa State game will be crucial. Coach Dillingham’s comments about reassessing Leavitt’s condition suggest that this foot injury could become a long-term issue if not managed carefully. The team’s ability to navigate Leavitt’s injury, coupled with Sims’ performance, will largely dictate the trajectory of their season and their hopes for returning to the College Football Playoff stage.
