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By Tucker Sennett
Cronkite News
TEMPE – In an era when some college quarterbacks are as old as 25 – hello, Utah’s Cam Rising – Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt is just a young pup. However, in his first collegiate start against the University of Wyoming, the native of West Linn, Oregon, proved age is just a number.
“I wasn’t too nervous going into this game,” the 19-year-old redshirt freshman said after Saturday’s 48-7 victory over the Cowboys. “That’s a testament to the coaching staff and the team.”
The Sun Devils as a whole showed few nerves while pummeling Wyoming 48-7 in their season opener at Mountain America Stadium.
Some pressure came off Leavitt right out of the gate, as the Sun Devils defense ran back an interception for a touchdown on just the second play of the game.
“It just lets me go out there and play and have fun,” he said.
Leavitt practiced what he preached and appeared to have fun in the process. He threw 22 times against Wyoming, completing 14 passes, including a pair of touchdowns. Leavitt downplayed his contributions.
“I didn’t do anything special tonight. I just got the ball to my playmakers and let them make the play.”
Before Saturday night, he had thrown just 23 passes at the college level, all of which were in substitution situations when he was still at Michigan State last season.
Arizona State throttled Wyoming thoroughly on both sides of the ball, but Leavitt’s poise stood out throughout the game.
“We weren’t focused on the last drive which was, well, I think a major factor in our success today,” he said.
He told reporters that his message to the team in the second half was that the game was not over despite a 27-0 lead and wanted to keep the team in the present.
His night ended earlier than expected as a result of the rout. He was replaced at the end of the third quarter by senior quarterback Jeff Sims.
For Arizona State to improve after an ugly 3-9 season in 2023, the brain trust of Leavitt and coach Kenny Dillingham has to be unified and capable of executing. That synchronization was on full display in the win.
“Before the game, I just told him be yourself and when in doubt, run,” Dillingham said. “What I was proud of was he took that and he applied it to the game.”
Leavitt heeded his coach’s advice to the tune of 61 rushing yards, including a 21-yard scramble.
A handful of times in the game, Wyoming defenders hit Leavitt hard but the quarterback responded in a different way than many would have expected. Dillingham thinks he knows why.
“He got up and smiled. I mean, his brother was a safety in the NFL for a while so he has a little bit of that in him,” the second-year coach said. “I think he kind of likes it.”
Leavitt’s older brother, Dallin, probably did what most older brothers do: hit him hard in the backyard while playing football. It looks to have paid off.
Dillingham’s track record of mentoring quarterbacks is well known, with his most recent success story centering around former Auburn and Oregon quarterback and new Denver Broncos starter Bo Nix.
After the departure of former four-star recruit Jaden Rashada to the University of Georgia after just one season in Tempe, Leavitt has become Dillingham’s new protege.
“The kid played an unbelievable game and I’m excited about a future with him,” Dillingham said.
“That kid has four more years left potentially to play here.”
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