West Virginia (4–6, 2–5 Big 12) opened their final road trip of the season with the start they wanted — a stop, a score, and early control after winning the toss and deferring to the second half. But Arizona
State (6–3, 4–2 Big 12) punched back with three second-quarter touchdowns to take a 22–10 lead into halftime.
The defense got off the field right away after Eddie Vesterinen blew up the first two snaps, and the offense turned that stop into early points. Scotty Fox hit Graeson Barnes and Rodney Gallagher on short throws, mixed in a few keepers, and moved the ball inside the ten before Kade Hensley knocked through a twenty‑nine‑yard field goal for a 3–0 lead.
The first quarter stayed in WVU’s favor. The defense forced another punt, and the offense crossed midfield again with third‑down completions to Cam Vaughn and Jarod Bowie. Cyncir Bowers and Curtis Jones Jr. pushed the ball inside the red zone, but the drive ended at the six when Fox’s fourth‑down throw to Jeff Weimer fell incomplete.
Arizona State took control once the second quarter started. Jeff Sims hit Malik McClain on a deep ball, ripped off a long run, and later found Jalen Moss down the middle before capping the drive with a touchdown to Chamon Metayer. The Sun Devils added a two‑point try to go up 15–3, then quickly got the ball back after WVU went three‑and‑out.
WVU answered immediately. On the first play of the next drive, Fox hit Weimer on a short crosser, and Weimer split the defense for a 75‑yard touchdown — WVU’s longest play since Traylon Ray’s 75‑yarder against UNC in the 2023 Duke’s Mayo Bowl — cutting the deficit to 15–10.
The defense followed with a stop, but WVU didn’t take advantage. A face‑mask penalty moved the ball to the thirty‑seven, then the drive stalled. Fox was stopped for no gain on first down, took a heavy six‑yard sack on the next play, and the third‑down throw never had a chance.
Arizona State responded with a steady march that leaned on Raleek Brown. Sims hit Derek Eusebio to reach the WVU thirty‑three, and after two deep shots missed, Brown turned a third‑and‑long dump‑off into a 33‑yard touchdown.
WVU tried to squeeze out something before halftime but couldn’t. Diore Hubbard picked up four yards on first down and added a short catch, but the third‑down throw to Jeff Weimer fell incomplete. After a punt and another defensive stop, the Mountaineers ran out the half to head into the locker room down 22-10.
West Virginia will get the ball again in the second half with a chance to settle in and regain control of the game.
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