BYU Stifles Arizona State’s Second-Half Surge, Stays Perfect at Home with 27-20 Win

PROVO, Utah — Eighth-ranked BYU pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat Arizona State 27-20 on Saturday, preserving its unbeaten home record after the Sun Devils rallied from a 14-point deficit to tie the game late in the third quarter.

Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier threw for 236 yards and a touchdown. BYU (8-0 at home) sealed the win with a 45-yard field goal and a 1-yard touchdown run by Sione Moa with just over two minutes remaining. The Cougars defense blanked Arizona State in the final period.

Arizona State quarterback Jake Fette, making his first career start, finished with 166 yards and two touchdowns but also fumbled on the third play of the game, setting up BYU’s first score. The Sun Devils (5-5, 2-5 Pac-12) suffered their third road loss to a top-10 opponent this season.

The Numbers Behind the Story

BYU’s offense managed just 236 passing yards but capitalized on three Arizona State turnovers — two fumbles and an interception — to build a 14-0 lead. The Sun Devils clawed back with two third-quarter touchdown passes from Fette, converting three third downs on their first scoring drive and two fourth downs on their second. But the fourth quarter belonged to the Cougars, who held Arizona State to 47 total yards and forced a punt on each of the Sun Devils’ three possessions.

BYU running back Sione Moa scored twice, including a 1-yard plunge that capped a 10-play, 75-yard drive. The Cougars’ defense, which entered the game allowing just 18.3 points per game, tightened when it mattered most.

Who Wins and Who Loses

BYU keeps its hopes for a New Year’s Six bowl berth alive and avoids a damaging loss to an unranked opponent. The Cougars remain in contention for the Big 12 title game, though they need help. Arizona State, meanwhile, falls to 2-5 in conference play and misses a chance to notch a signature road win. The Sun Devils have now lost three straight to top-10 teams away from Tempe.

Fette showed promise in his first start but also threw a costly interception and lost a fumble. The Sun Devils’ offense sputtered in the fourth quarter, managing just one first down.

What’s Next

BYU travels to Salt Lake City next week for the Holy War rivalry game against Utah. Arizona State hosts Colorado in Tempe. Earlier Saturday, Colorado survived a scare from Kansas State, winning in overtime to snap a losing streak. The Buffaloes will look to build on that momentum against the Sun Devils.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.