Arizona State and Mississippi State are each coming off spectacular season-opening dwelling victories and productive performances by their beginning quarterbacks.
The Solar Devils and Bulldogs will meet for the primary time on Saturday in Tempe, Ariz.
Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt, a Michigan State switch, accomplished 14 of twenty-two passes for 258 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in a 48-7 rout of Wyoming.
Mississippi State’s Blake Shapen, who transferred from Baylor, handed for 247 yards whereas finishing 15 of 20 move makes an attempt with three touchdowns and no interceptions in a 56-7 victory over Jap Kentucky.
Leavitt, a redshirt freshman, didn’t throw deep usually in opposition to Wyoming in his first collegiate begin. He averaged 11.7 yards per completion.
The Solar Devils ran the ball 49 occasions in comparison with Leavitt’s 22 makes an attempt.
Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham informed reporters Monday that he’s not “taking part in scared” with Leavitt regardless of the restricted variety of passes, together with only a few of lengthy distance.
“On the second possession, we chucked it deep and he threw a terrific ball, so we’re not taking part in scared with him,” Dillingham mentioned. “Ethical of the story, we will be aggressive with him.”
Leavitt (47 yards on eight carries) was a part of a balanced dashing assault that included Cam Skattebo’s 49 yards on 11 rushes and DeCarlos Brooks’ 47 yards on six carries.
The efficiency of Shapen, a senior, in opposition to Jap Kentucky helped Jeff Lebby to win his first sport as a head coach after he served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at UCF (2019), Ole Miss (2020-21) and Oklahoma (2022-23).
“I am simply grateful for this chance at a brand new place at Mississippi State, and I do know a variety of different guys really feel that approach,” mentioned Shapen, who threw for greater than 5,500 yards in three seasons at Baylor.
Mississippi State’s protection had 4 takeaways in opposition to Jap Kentucky, together with a 51-yard interception return for a landing by Elijah Cannon.
Arizona State’s protection returned an interception and a fumble restoration for touchdowns in opposition to the Cowboys.
“What I see is a bunch from Arizona State that performed with a ton of confidence, a ton of vitality,” Lebby mentioned. “There was nice pleasure inside their stadium, and we have got a terrific problem on our arms.”
–Area Degree Media
