Arizona State kicker Jesus Gomez kicked a critical field goal late, and the defense got the final stop as the Sun Devils held on for a 25-23 win against West Virginia on Saturday.
ASU led 22-10 entering the fourth quarter when West Virginia rattled off 13 straight points to take a 23-22 lead with 6:37 remaining. The go-ahead touchdown from West Virginia was a 90-yard touchdown by running back Cyncir Bowers on a third and 27.
Quarterback Jeff Sims and the offense would respond with 40-yard drive to get in field goal range. Gomez, whose previous kick was blocked, was able to nail a 49-yard field goal with 2:44 remaining to give ASU a 25-23 lead.
With no timeouts left, West Virginia would get up to their own 44 when Sun Devil cornerback Keith Abney II intercepted quarterback Scotty Fox Jr. on fourth down to secure the win.
“It felt amazing, man,” Abney said after his interception. “Just being able to make that play for my team, trusting coach (Brian) Ward to put me in a position to make that play.
“It’s crazy me and the quarterback made eye contact like right before that. So I kind of knew it was coming for real. It was a great feeling though, amazing feeling.
“I just tried to keep a straight face. I can’t give it away.”
ASU stays alive in Big 12 race
With the win, ASU (7-3, 5-2 Big 12) got some help earlier in the day as Arizona beat Cincinnati 30-24. Cincinnati was one of three Big 12 teams with just one conference loss entering Saturday.
Texas Tech (9-1, 6-1 Big 12) leads the Big 12 in wins, with BYU (8-1, 5-1 Big 12) and Houston (8-2, 5-2) in second and third, respectively.
Arizona State’s next game
Following the win, ASU travels to Folsom Field to face Colorado next Saturday.
