The Houston Cougars defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils in a Big 12 Conference football game on Saturday, Oct. 25 at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, 24-16.

ASU was down 24-0 entering the fourth quarter and rallied to make it 24-16 with 5:12 left, but couldn’t complete the comeback, dropping the key conference game.

ASU fell to 5-3 overall and 3-2 in the Big 12 with the loss. Houston improved to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in conference play with the win.

ASU faces Iowa State on the road next week. Houston hosts West Virginia.

Look back at our updates from the game.

The ASU vs Houston game ended with a penalty on ASU for roughing the kicker after Ethan Sanchez missed a 25-yard field goal with 14 seconds remaining.

Conner Weigman kneeled it for one play to run out the clock.

Houston ran four plays for 7 yards on that last drive. It took 1:52 off the clock.

ASU was flagged 12 times for 76 yards in the game.

Final score: Houston 24, Arizona State 16

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ASU turned the ball over on downs with an incomplete pass from Jeff Sims, a 6-yard run from Sims and two incomplete passes from Sims.

Houston got the ball back with 1:52 left on the clock.

The Sun Devils still have a chance. They just forced a Houston punt and have the ball on their own 5-yard line with 2:08 left in the fourth quarter.

ASU will have the two-minute timeout and it has one timeout remaining.

Houston went 13 yards over six plays and took 3:04 off the clock on its drive. It elected to throw it on 3rd & 9 at the Houston 48, and threw an incomplete pass, which saved ASU using a timeout.

Jeff Sims came out at QB on ASU’s possession, with the broadcast showing Sam Leavitt on the sideline.

The backup quarterback delivered.

Sims threw his first touchdown pass since the 2023 season opener when he played at Nebraska, a 27-yard pass to Chamon Metayer to cap off a 7-play, 70-yard drive that took 2:03 off the clock.

There is 5:12 left in the fourth quarter and ASU now trails 24-16.

Score: Houston 24, Arizona State 16 (5:12 left in fourth quarter)

Houston was able to get three first downs on its most recent drive, but the Sun Devils were able to get a big stop and get the ball back with 7:15 left on the clock.

Houston turned it over on downs after gaining 49 yards on eight plays.

There is 7:15 left in the fourth quarter after Houston used 4:09 on the drive.

Kenny Dillingham elected to try to make it a two-score game by attempting a 47-yard field goal on ASU’s next possession.

Jesus Gomez made it after missing his previous two attempts today, to make it a 24-9 score with 11:24 left in the fourth quarter.

ASU’s 8-play drive went for 50 yards and took 1:09 off the clock.

Sam Leavitt is now 18-for-25 passing for 270 yards and a score.

One positive for the Sun Devils? Malik McClain has stepped up in Jordyn Tyson’s absence. He has seven catches for 159 yards.

Score: Houston 24, Arizona State 9 11:24 left in fourth quarter)

ASU football stopped Houston for the first time in the second half, forcing a 3-and-out by the Cougars.

ASU tried an onside kickoff attempt, but was unsuccessful.

Houston was able to take 1:23 off the clock.

Well, ASU is not getting shut out in this game anymore.

Sam Leavitt just connected on a 3-yard pass to Cameron Harpole to get ASU on the board.

ASU’s 2-point conversion attempt, a Leavitt pass, fell incomplete.

Leavitt set up the touchdown pass with a 36-yard pass to Malik McClain on a 4th & 5 play at the Houston 39.

ASU went 75 yards in 2:12 on the drive. It took eight plays.

Score: Houston 24, Arizona State 6 (13:56 left in fourth quarter)

It’s getting out of hand in Tempe.

Houston now leads this game 24-0 close to the end of the third quarter.

ASU’s defense has not been able to stop Houston’s offense in this third quarter. The Cougars have two touchdown drives on two possessions.

The game was momentarily delayed because of ASU fans throwing objects on the field in frustration, especially after a pass interference call on Arizona State gave Houston a 1st & goal on the ASU 2.

ASU’s Myles Rowser was ejected from the game for targeting, as well. ASU has been penalized 10 times for 57 yards in this game.

Conner Weigman ran it in for 1-yard out extend the lead for Houston.

ASU’s chances to extend its 10-game winning streak at home and stay in the Big 12 football title race appear very bleak.

Score: Houston 24, Arizona State 0 (1:06 left in third quarter)

The Sun Devils still haven’t scored in this game.

Chamon Mateyer appeared to have a highlight reel catch for a 21-yard touchdown to put ASU on the board, but an illegal shift penalty on ASU wiped out the score.

Jesus Gomez then missed a 42-yard field goal attempt, his second of the game, to leave ASU scoreless.

It’s been that kind of night for the Sun Devils.

There is now just 5:49 left in the third quarter.

The Houston Cougars did not go 3-and-out on their first possession of the second half.

Houston went 57 yards over six plays in 3:14, taking a 17-20 lead on a 7-yard pass from Conner Weigman to Tanner Koziol.

The big play on the drive? Weigman connected on a 32-yard pass to Koziol on the very first play of the drive for Houston.

Weigman is now 11-for-13 for 128 yards and a score for Houston. He has eight rush attempts fir 75 yards and a score, as well.

Koziol has five catches for 80 yards and a touchdown.

The Houston lead is 17-0, which is not insurmountable by any means, but Arizona State’s offense has to get something going to have a chance to get back in this game.

Easier said than done without Jordyn Tyson.

Score: Houston 17, Arizona State 0 (10:10 left in third quarter)

The Sun Devils’ offensive struggles did not go away at the half.

ASU just went 3-and-out to open the second half, its third 3-and-out of this game.

The Sun Devils just can’t get any explosive plays against the Cougars.

They are now just 1-for-7 on third downs in this game.

That is not going to cut it.

They have played 30 minutes of football at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe and Arizona State hasn’t scored.

Yes, the Sun Devils were shut out in the first half against Houston in this key Big 12 Conference matchup.

ASU had one score opportunity, but Jesus Gomez missed a field goal on the Sun Devils’ first possession of the game.

The team punted three times and lost a fumble on its other four first-half possessions.

ASU received a scare when quarterback Sam Leavitt exited the game on its first possession, but he returned for Arizona State’s second, although the Sun Devils were already down 10-0.

Houston holds a 193-162 advantage in total yards and an 18:37 to 11:23 edge in time of possession.

Leavitt is 7-for-13 for 93 yards passing. ASU has rushed the ball 12 times for 64 yards.

Conner Weigman is 8-for-10 passing for 84 yards. Houston has 23 carries for 109 yards, including 7 carries for 66 yards and a touchdown from Weigman.

The most telling stat in the first half? ASU’s average starting position on its drives was at its own 16-yard line.

ASU will receive the second-half kickoff and have a chance to get right back in this game.

Halftime score: Houston 10, Arizona State 0

The Sun Devils’ struggles on offense continue.

ASU ran eight plays and gained 44 yards on its drive, but had to punt for the third time in this game with 42 seconds left in the second quarter.

Malik McClain had a 33-yard catch from Sam Leavitt on the drive.

ASU was facing the possibility of another 3-and-out early in the drive, but Raleek Brown rushed for 11 yards in a 3rd & 3 at the ASU 16 to extend the drive.

But the Sun Devils’ drive faltered after having a 1st & 10 at the Houston 47.

This ASU football defense is balling.

The Sun Devils just forced another 3-and-out by Houston.

ASU’s defense has clamped down since allowing the 10 early points. Houston has only gained 26 yards in the second quarter.

It just needs its offense to get something going, anything going.

There is 2:25 left in the first half.

ASU couldn’t capitalize on forcing a 3-and-out from Houston, as the Sun Devils just had a 3-and-out of their own, their second of the game.

One positive? ASU’s Kanyon Floyd punted it 46 yards to the Houston 27, which is a very good result for the struggling Sun Devils’ special teams unit.

ASU’s defense could really use another stop late in the first half.

ASU’s defense held strong again against Houston.

The Sun Devils forced a 3-and-out by the Cougars after sacking Conner Weigman for an 8-yard loss on first down.

ASU will start its possession at the ASU 19.

There is 6:11 left in the second quarter.

The Sun Devils are not getting any of the breaks early in this game.

Sam Leavitt fumbled the ball before throwing it, turning the ball over the the Cougars and ending a promising drive for Arizona State.

He fumbled the ball on a 1st & 10 at the ASU 49, right as the Sun Devils were starting to get some momentum going against the Cougars.

It’s been a rough start for Arizona State at Mountain America Stadium.

Leavitt’s fumble at least went forward 16 yards. Houston will start its drive on the Houston 35.

It was just Arizona State’s second turnover in its last six games.

The Sun Devils needed a big stop against the Cougars.

They got it.

After a false start penalty pushed Houston back five yards after Houston picked up one first down, Arizona State’s defense was able to force its first punt of the game, which was fielded at the ASU 8.

Houston is 4-for-6 on third down in this game. Arizona State is 0-for-3.

Right now, all the stats favor the Cougars, who hold a 171-63 edge in yards and a 14:03 to 5:53 edge in time of possession.

But ASU just needs one good drive to get some momentum going in this second quarter.

The Arizona State offense is not in sync early vs Houston.

ASU just went 3-and-out on its second possession, rushing for a 1-yard loss, losing seven yards on a sack and then having an incomplete pass.

Granted, it hard to get in sync when your QB leaves the game and then returns, but we are already in the second quarter of this game.

Well, this is good news for ASU fans.

Sam Leavitt is back on the field.

He has made his way back into this game after exiting on ASU’s first possession. The good news for ASU? The QB only missed the rest of ASU’s first possession.

The bad news? Houston scored a touchdown on its second possession to make it a 10-0 deficit for the Sun Devils.

We’ve reached the end of the first quarter. Leavitt and Arizona State face a 2nd & 11 at the ASU 17 to start the second quarter.

Penalties can really hurt in football.

They definitely just hurt Arizona State.

ASU’s Myles Rowser was called for being offsides on a 3rd & 1 play at the ASU 1 for Houston, a play in which ASU had recovered a fumble from Houston quarterback Conner Weigman.

Rowser was then flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Houston was able to capitalize on the penalties, with Weigman running it in from 1-yard out to cap off a 10-play, 80-yard drive.

This is obviously not the start Arizona State envisioned.

Score: Houston 10, Arizona State 0 (:41 seconds left in first quarter)

The Sun Devils were able to get into field goal position after starting quarterback Sam Leavitt left the game with an injury, but came up empty when Jesus Gomez missed a 31-yard field goal.

He is now 16-for-21 on the season.

Backup QB Jeff Sims rushed for 11 yards on a 4th & 2 at the Houston 42 to keep ASU’s drive alive, and the Sun Devils got down to the Houston 14 on the possession, which went for 61 yards on 11 plays.

But Sam Leavitt’s status continues to be the big question for Arizona State, which has not fared well without him on the field the past couple of seasons.

On a 3rd & 16 play at the ASU 44, Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt rushed for 14 yards, but hit the ground hard when he was tackled by Houston’s Eddie Walls III.

Leavitt missed ASU’s loss to Utah with an injury, a game that ASU lost in Salt Lake City, 42-10, before returning to lead ASU to the upset over Texas Tech last week.

Leavitt exited the field and went into the medical tent briefly before heading to the locker room.

Backup QB Jeff Sims entered the game for Leavitt.

This could obviously be a huge development for the Sun Devils, who are already missing wide receiver Jordyn Tyson in this game.

Houston holds a 3-0 lead early in this game after a 26-yard field goal from Ethan Sanchez.

But ASU limiting Houston to three points is a win after the Cougars had a 1st & goal on the 2-yard line on the possession.

The big play on the drive?

Houston QB Conner Weigman broke free for a 50-yard run up the middle on a 3rd & 2 at the Houston 32.

Houston completed two third downs on the drive. The other was a 16-yard pass from Weigman to Tanner Koziol on a 3rd & 10 at the ASU 18 that made it 1st & goal on the 2.

But a false start on Houston and a five-yard loss on a run helped the Sun Devils’ defense limit the damage on the 10-play, 68-yard drive for Houston.

Score: Houston 3, Arizona State 0 (10:29 left in first quarter)

The following scores are final in the Big 12 Conference on Saturday:

  • Cincinnati 41, Baylor 20
  • BYU 41, Iowa State 27
  • Kansas State 42, Kansas 17
  • Texas Tech 42, Oklahoma State 0
  • TCU 23, West Virginia 17

The Colorado vs Utah game (ESPN) is scheduled to kick off at 7:15 p.m. MST tonight.

Big 12 football Week 9 games: TV channels, streaming, times, schedule

The Sun Devils are starting to create a home-field advantage at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe.

The game is another sell-out for Arizona State today and the fans will look to help ASU extend its home win streak.

The Sun Devils have won 10 straight games at home, the sixth-longest home win streak for Arizona State.

ASU hasn’t lost a game at home since 2023. Can it extend the home win streak today?

More: Arizona State upsets Texas Tech to win 10th straight game at home

The Sun Devils will be without several key contributors in today’s game, but none bigger than wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, who is out with a hamstring injury.

It’s going to be hard to replace him: Tyson has 58 catches for 528 yards and eight touchdowns on the season.

How will ASU’s passing game perform without Tyson? It’s a key question in this game.

Tight end Chamon Metayer could receive a lot of looks today and freshman receiver Jaren Hamilton could be needed to really step up.

The Sun Devils might rely on their running backs catching the ball out of the backfield more against the Cougars, as well.

Arizona State football without a major offensive weapon for Houston game

So, what is at stake in today’s Houston vs Arizona State football game?

A lot, to put it simply.

Both the Sun Devils and Cougars entered the week 3-1 in Big 12 play, tied with Texas Tech, so the winning team Saturday would at worst still be tied for second in the conference.

BYU and Cincinnati were each 4-0 in Big 12 play entering the day.

The loser of the game will fall to 3-2 in conference play, making its possible road to a Big 12 title a lot smaller.

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Here’s what Arizona State and Houston are wearing for the Big 12 football game today:

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Arizona State is at +400 in updated odds to win the Big 12 entering this week’s games, second in the conference.

Houston is at +5000, tied for 10th in the conference.

To see the complete Big 12 conference odds, click here.

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The Big 12 college football Week 9 game between Houston and Arizona State can be seen at 5 p.m. MST (8 p.m. ET) on Saturday, Oct. 25, on ESPN2.

Big 12 football Week 9 schedule: TV channels, how to watch, stream games this week

The Houston vs ASU football Week 9 Big 12 college football game can be streamed on FUBO, which offers a free trial, and other streaming services that carry ESPN2, including Sling.

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Lowell Galindo will have the play-by-play call of the Sun Devils vs Cougars Big 12 game, with Aaron Murray as the analyst for the college football Week 9 game.

Big 12 football Week 9 announcers: TV channels, times, game schedule

Arizona State is a 7-point favorite over Houston in college football Week 9 odds for the game, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

The Sun Devils are -285 on the moneyline, while the Cougars are +225.

The over/under (point total) for the game is set at 46.5 points.

Big 12 football Week 9 odds: Point spreads, moneylines, over/unders

Arizona State has a 71.9% chance to defeat Houston today, according to ESPN.

The site gives the Cougars a 28.1% shot at winning the college football Week 9 game against the Sun Devils on Oct. 25.

Big 12 football Week 9 predictions: ESPN matchup predictor’s picks, win probabilities

The Arizona Republic’s Jeremy Cluff is predicting a 27-23 win for Arizona State over Houston in the Big 12 Week 9 college football game today.

Other sites lean toward the Sun Devils beating the Cougars in their Arizona State vs Houston college football Week 9 Big 12 game picks and predictions.

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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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