You know how people always say Tempe is where hope goes to either catch fire or get a sunburn? Well, looking at the arizona state university football stats from the 2025 season, it’s a bit of both. Honestly, if you just glance at the 8–5 record, you’re missing the actual story. This wasn't just another year in the desert; it was a chaotic, high-stakes transition into the Big 12 that nearly saw the Sun Devils pull off the unthinkable before a late-season reality check.
Kenny Dillingham is basically trying to rebuild an entire culture while the floor is moving. It's wild. One week they’re knocking off top-ranked Texas Tech, and the next, they're losing a heartbreaker in the Sun Bowl to Duke.
Let's get into the weeds of what the numbers actually tell us.
The Offensive Identity Crisis (and Success)
The offense averaged 25.8 points per game. That sounds... okay? But the yardage tells a different story. They were churning out 417.3 yards every Saturday. So why weren't they scoring more?
Red zone efficiency. It’s the Achilles' heel for this roster. They reached the red zone 47 times but only walked away with a touchdown on 24 of those trips. That is a 51% conversion rate for six points. Basically, they were moving the ball like a Ferrari but parking it like a shopping cart once they got inside the 20.
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Sam Leavitt and the Aerial Attack
Sam Leavitt is the guy. No question. He threw for 2,908 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also tossed 9 picks, which is sort of expected when you're a young quarterback trying to force things in a pro-style scheme.
His connection with Jordyn Tyson was the only reason some of those games stayed close. Tyson is a human highlight reel. He's being talked about as a first-round NFL prospect for a reason. When Leavitt had time—which wasn't always—the passing game looked elite. But the "QB Sacked %" sat at 6.02%. That’s a lot of grass-tasting for a guy you're trying to build a franchise around.
The Ground Game Grind
Arizona State lived on the ground. They ran the ball 53.37% of the time.
- Total Rushing Yards: 2,517
- Yards Per Carry: 5.1
- Top Dawg: Kanye Udoh (The Army transfer)
Udoh is a tank. He filled the shoes of Cam Skattebo remarkably well, even if the styles were different. Then you had Raleek Brown popping off for 255 yards against Colorado. That game alone skewed the stats because it was such an outlier. It’s those explosive plays that kept the arizona state university football stats looking respectable even when the consistency wasn't there.
Why the Defense is Better Than You Think
If you look at the points allowed—24.5 per game—you might think the defense was just "fine." You'd be wrong. Brian Ward is doing magic with a unit that got decimated by injuries.
Losing Xavion Alford only two games in was a disaster. He’s the heart of that secondary. Without him, Keith Abney II had to play like an All-American just to keep the roof from caving in. And he did.
The Wall in the Middle
ASU had the third-best run defense in the Big 12. They allowed only 124 yards per game on the ground. That’s incredible. C.J. Fite and Jacob Rich Kongaika are the reason. They just sit in the gaps and refuse to move.
Opponents only averaged 3.6 yards per rush. Think about that. Most teams in the Big 12 want to run to set up the deep ball, and ASU basically told them, "No."
The passing defense was the weak link, ranked 13th in the conference. They gave up 233.5 yards per game through the air. But honestly, when you're missing your star safety and your offense is turning the ball over 1.7 times a game (giving opponents a short field), the defense is going to get tired.
The Weird Stats Nobody Talks About
We need to talk about the fumbles. 21 fumbles. They lost 12 of them. That is a staggering amount of lost possession.
It’s almost impressive to be 8–5 with that kind of ball security. They also struggled on third downs, converting only 33.3%. That’s bottom-tier stuff. You can’t survive in the Big 12 converting one out of every three third downs.
On the flip side, their fourth-down aggression was fun to watch. They went for it 36 times and converted 21. Dillingham is a gambler. Sometimes it pays off, like in the 24–19 win over Iowa State. Sometimes it bites you.
Kicking and Special Teams
- Field Goals: 22-of-30.
- Punting Average: 39.16 yards.
- Penalties: 93 for 751 yards.
The penalties are a problem. 57.8 yards per game given away. It’s the "undisciplined" tag that Dillingham is desperately trying to shake off. You can't have 7 penalties a game and expect to win a conference title.
The Big 12 Reality Check
Arizona State finished T-4th in the conference. Coming off a 2024 season where they actually won the Big 12, this felt like a step back to some fans. But look at the schedule. They played five ranked teams.
They beat #24 TCU.
They beat #7 Texas Tech.
They beat #25 Colorado.
They can play with anyone. The 7–23 loss to Arizona at the end of the year was the gut punch that ruined the vibe, but the foundation is clearly there. The arizona state university football stats prove they aren't the doormat everyone predicted they’d be when they left the Pac-12.
What's Next for the Sun Devils?
Stats are just numbers until you apply them to the future. If ASU wants to get back to the 11-win mark, three things have to change.
First, the turnover margin has to flip. You cannot be -0.5 per game and expect to be a Top-10 team. Second, the red zone needs more "TD" and less "FG." Third, the secondary needs depth. If one guy like Alford goes down and the whole pass defense drops to 13th in the league, that’s a recruiting failure, not a coaching one.
Keep an eye on the transfer portal. Dillingham is already active, looking for a $3.1 million QB to push the room and more help in the trenches. The 2025 season was a wild ride, but the data suggests that with a little more discipline, the Sun Devils are going to be a problem for the Big 12 for a long time.
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Final takeaway? Buy stock in Sam Leavitt, but maybe keep some Tylenol nearby for the special teams' blunders.
Actionable Insights for Sun Devil Fans:
- Watch the Red Zone: In 2026, track the TD-to-FG ratio. If it stays near 50%, expect more 8-win seasons.
- Penalty Tracking: Follow the weekly penalty yardage. Anything over 50 yards is a red flag for coaching discipline.
- Portal Targets: Look for defensive back commitments. The passing defense stats from this year make it clear where the priority lies.